B POV

"Bella?"

In the past, that voice melted my heart. Now, it churned my stomach. The image of his hand clutching Renesmee's throat, levitating her above the ground and pressing her body painfully into the piano she'd just been playing; his eyes blazed black as he stared into her face, his jaw locked into a growl was now permanently ingrained into my mind. When he proceeded to shake her so roughly it caused her body to ricochet the piano, jangling a few of the springs within, all essence of human compassion left my body. I was more of an animal in those minutes than I'd ever allowed myself to embrace; like a lioness protecting her young from an invading pride.

I concentrated on Ness as she regulated her breathing, a shallow scratch permeating the air as she struggled to open her airways. I forced my anger into the pit of my stomach as I waited for her to gain back the margin of strength that would allow her to walk out of that room and not look back. As she straightened, I double-checked that my shield covered her, an automatic response whenever she was close enough. I cupped her face in my hands, discreetly looking over the handprints forming around her throat. Her brown eyes looked into mine and the relief I saw reminded me of what she meant to me.

"Are you okay?" I asked her calmly.

She nodded before looking over my shoulder again, the fear evident in her eyes. Ness stumbled back against the piano and I turned in time to hit his hand away from connecting with my body.

"Don't you dare try to touch me," I snarled, forcing him to step back. He stared at my face, searching for something. The only thing he would be able to see was my utter fury at him. I was pure vampire, protecting what was mine. I took a defensive crouch, readying myself to fight. Although it had been years since the Amazonians trained me, I was still a skilled fighter. Stronger than him.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned back to Renesmee, the worry in her eyes overpowering the fear that still resided there. That look alone dissipated my attack. Flight, not fight, was necessary right now.

"How – How are you here? Who –"

I chuckled sarcastically, "Who changed me, right?"

I directed the words over my shoulder for two reasons: first, because I was focused on Renesmee and keeping her protected; second, I was battling the feelings that were awakening in my dead heart.

"Bella," he choked, his voice straining as he uttered my name. I could feel his presence behind me, I could smell that scent; the one that had lingered in my mind for years, only it was a more potent smell now.

Renesmee was still shaking, her eyes cast down to the ground as she watched her feet, avoiding eye contact with the person behind me. She could barely stand and had she been fully human I wouldn't have been surprised if she'd wet herself out of fear. Feral vampires are ferocious and although I'd never let that side of my nature corrupt me, she'd watched me hunt and knew the change that occurred when we let our inner beast out.

He must have really frightened her.

Ignoring him once more, I lifted Ness' chin and whispered to her, "We need to get you out of here – come on."

Her eyes were swimming, the salt water threatening to leak. I lightly brushed some fallen hair behind her ear and gave her a reassuring smile, but she could see right through me and knew that I was on the verge of exploding. No one messed with my baby. Not even if that person helped create her.

I pulled her close to me and guided her in the direction of the door. Renesmee wrapped her arms around her body and on shaky legs took a step toward the door. I stepped in line behind her, my arm hovering over her lower back as she walked, keeping myself between her and our enemy.

She'd barely taken two steps when Edward blurred in front of her, standing centimetres away forcing our halt by placing his hands on her shoulders. Renesmee screamed at his proximity and cowered back into my body, her own shivering in fright at his touch. I pulled her behind me and stepped in front to protect her, a deep growl emitting from the back of my throat at the pure nerve of him.

"I told you to get your hands off of her." Venom laced my voice, but that didn't discourage him. He controlled himself, keeping his face fixed in the emotionless expression he was so good at.

His voice was monotonous, but the depth of his dark eyes told me different, "I just want to talk to you."

I scoffed, "I have nothing to say to you, now get out of my way before I do something I'll regret."

They were a poor choice of words on my behalf, because the small tilt of his mouth told me that he found them amusing. Truth was, in my current emotional state I wouldn't regret it, but only because I knew he wouldn't die. Of course I couldn't kill him, no matter how much he hurt me, I couldn't. And maybe he knew that deep down.

The sniffing and the quick shallow breaths I could hear behind me snapped me out of my thoughts. I needed to get her out of here. She was frightened, she needed to calm down and she needed me to keep her safe. If we were here in this room for much longer then Edward would begin to fit the puzzle pieces together and figure out why I had some form of relationship with a 'human'.

My anger, her hurt, and his shock was not a resolving combination so I needed to get the hell out of there, not only for my daughter but for myself too.

So, I threw him away, literally. Using all the strength I had, I reached up and heaved him aside whilst simultaneously coaxing Renesmee to the door. She walked forward and opened the door as I stood and watched Edward, warning him to not stop us again. Preparing to follow my daughter, I looked to her: her eyes were rimmed red, tears and snot ran down her face which she swiped away with her sleeve.

Casting a final glance at Edward, I walked forward to leave.

But I was stopped again. His hand curled around my forearm preventing me from walking anywhere. He spun me round and I found myself looking up into his eyes, the scent of his sweet breath hitting my face at full force.

"I'm not letting you go, not again," he whispered hoarsely; passionately. His eyes darted left and right as he analysed the look in my eyes.

I was losing control over my feelings. Never before had I felt such intense emotion brewing in my chest; not since I was human anyway. I took a breath to collect myself, "If you remember correctly, I never had a choice; I didn't go, you did." I watched his face as he relived the same moment I did, "It's my choice now, and you're letting me go."

I ripped my arm from his grasp and ran to the door pushing Renesmee into the hall and slamming the door behind me. I pretended not to hear him call my name.

Renesmee and I both ran through the building until we got outdoors where we kept a fast pace, suitable enough for humans. I didn't speak as I held her hand. The only noise that came from either of us was her occasional sniffles.

"Mom?" She whispered, her voice husky due to the aftermath of her tears.

"Shh," I silenced her, "not yet." She nodded in understanding as we strode to the dormitories, the only place I could think to take her that was the closest.

I was on high alert as I took in my surroundings, my eyes scanning everything in our proximity. My instincts told me something wasn't right. Renesmee trailed silently, holding onto my hand as if her life depended on it.

Just as we rounded the corner to head straight, I recognised the person walking towards me. She looked exactly the same with her small frame, petite features and the same spiky, black hair. Knowing that walking into her was inevitable, I pulled Renesmee into my body and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. She turned her face into my shoulder and let me guide her.

"Oh my... Bella," Alice's voice trickled toward us in a soprano pitch as we approached her. I growled lazily not wanting to deal with another Cullen. "Goodness, it really is you, I knew you'd suit being a vampire. I saw it, but did he believe me? No. I knew you were here. I was coming to find you. I finally saw a glimpse of you! I've already contacted Esme – her and Carlisle are on their way with everyone else; they're so excited to see you."

I glared at her. I didn't want to see her let alone the rest of them. As we drew closer, she finally caught my gaze and shut up, her mouth gaping as she took in who I was with: "Nessie? Jesus, what happened?"

"Ask your brother," I hissed at her and made the move to walk past.

"Oh no," she muttered to herself. "What happened?"

I ignored her and kept walking with Renesmee crying into my shoulder. I kissed the crown of her head reassuringly, holding her tighter to my body. I stiffened as I heard the footsteps traipsing after us.

"Wait, you actually know each other? I mean, I thought there was a resemblance but how is that possible. Bella, she's a human!" Alice yelled.

That did it. I turned on her, the girl that used to be my best friend and let my anger erupt; letting every minute piece of anger I felt at her family come forth: "Of course she's a human, do you think I'm dumb enough to not realise that little detail?! I'm sure I'm not the only vampire that's welcomed a human into their home. If I remember correctly you did!" I spat, not caring how her face fell. "At least, I'm not pretending to care about her. At least, I haven't – and won't – abandon her and let her fall prey to some other vampire that comes along."

I knew it was a cheap and childish shot, but I didn't care. She was making it sound like I was going to turn on Renesmee, my own daughter, and leave her the way they left me. I wasn't heartless nor was I like them. It wasn't something that was plausible.

I kept walking even as the following footsteps ceased. I wasn't running away, nothing of the sort. I was simply walking away from their attempts at talking to me. Here was me thinking that our species were more intelligent than humans; were they not smart enough to comprehend the idea that I hated them for what they did, and what they were doing now to my daughter?

I'd never been more thankful for seeing a door before as we approached the building that would take us to some form of comfort. No one was around to witness Ness' distraught – another thing I was thankful for. We reached her room and she unlocked the door, leading us both inside. As I closed the door, Ness let out a loud sob as she collapsed headfirst onto her bed using her pillow to muffle her cries. My heart broke for her.

Suppressing my own feelings, I walked towards the bed and laid down with her, curling my arm around her body, shushing her for comfort. She rolled around and buried her head into my chest as she heaved for breath. The smell of her tears lingered with her natural scent. There was nothing I could say, not yet, so I simply stroked her back, her hair and kissed her head; signals that I was here, that I loved her and that I wasn't leaving... ever.

After a while, she tried to speak, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I sho- I should never have asked to co-come here," she said between sobs. "I was selfish and stubborn and now they, they know. They know and I'm so-sorry, mommy, I'm sorry."

"Oh baby," I sighed, pulling away slightly so she could look at me. She needed to see the truth in my eyes, "None of this is your fault, none of it! I was the reason he found out I was still alive, not you."

"But if I'd never come here then-"

"No," I cut her off, "you needed to come here. It was just bad luck that Fate put them here too. Don't blame yourself, please." I kissed her again as she wiped away the remains of her tears. She snuggled into me like she did when she was a baby and closed her eyes. I automatically hummed to her and twirled one of her curls between my fingers as I listened to her cries silence and her heart beat regulate until her breathing evened out into a sleep.

-o0o-

R/N POV

From the faded, white porch, I stared at the familiar, empty road lined with light houses of all shapes and designs. Frost lingered in the air creating a glittering, icy blanket over the faded grey tar and grassland. Carbon dioxide turned into mist as it left my lungs and floated upward. Despite the prominent sense of unease that took residence within me, something about the familiar surroundings provided comfort.

It had been almost two weeks since that unfortunate event took place on campus. As I slept, Bella had packed my belongings, and Jake had come to collect us. The relief of returning home and leaving all the drama behind was short lived as we had unexpected guests waiting in Charlie's driveway upon our return. For the last twelve days, Bella and I had been staying in La Push, avoiding any Cullen invasion thanks to the ancient treaty that was still in place.

The days of peace were nice, and I always enjoyed my time on the res, but nothing compared to being in my own home. Here I was standing in the sub-zero weather scanning the street for any Cullen who felt the need to grace us with their presence. So far nothing, but I wasn't one to let my guard down now. It wasn't the only reason I was stood here: Bella had asked me to wait for the arrival of our guests, and the prospect of spending Christmas with them made me giddy. Of course, that was overthrown by the constant on-edge feeling I was experiencing as my eyes flicked across the landscape.

My musings were interrupted by the rumble of an engine as it turned onto our street. I remained poised as I waited for the vehicle to come into view. And when it did, a lump formed in my throat. I watched on edge as the unfamiliar, black Mercedes drew closer to the house – the front windows blacked out. I heard more than saw the passenger side window roll down. From it popped a head of blonde hair followed by their entire torso.

"NESSIE!" Jenna yelled down the street, her hand waving frantically above her head.

I burst out laughing, and waved back; my smile so big that it hurt. I didn't miss the chastisement that Dawn gave her daughter from the front seat as they pulled up alongside our front yard.

I hopped down the porch steps and met Jenna halfway across the yard, our giggles and our limbs merging together in a ridiculous display of friendship. At some point during our reunion, Bella and Dawn had greeted each other in a more lacklustre way.

"My god, I've missed you, Ness!" She beamed. "How are you?"

"I'm okay, well, physically at least. I'll fill you in later," I told her as I saw Justin approach with their bags.

"Loch Ness, looking as good as ever," he teased before coming forward to hug me too.

"It's good to see you too, Justin, how've you been?"

He didn't get the chance to reply as Jake came forward and wrapped his arm over my shoulders possessively. "You must be the kids, Jenna and Justin, right?"

I couldn't see, but I could feel him eyeing up Justin by the way Justin stood taller and more rigid, scrunching his nose to his obvious distaste at Jake's attitude. I knew more than anyone that Jake only threw in the 'kid' accolade for Justin's sake. I reached up with my right hand and held onto the one that fell over my shoulder; giving it a small squeeze in both warning and reassurance.

Justin smirked and reached his hand out. "And you must be Jacob."

Justin's handshake was probably just as intimidating as Jake was trying to be. Jake had nothing to worry about with regards to me, he knew that, I was his imprint; I didn't really have a choice. Not that I'd choose differently anyway. I gave him a quick hug before I ordered: "Help him with their bags."

Locking my arm through Jenna's, I led her up the porch and into the house, filling her in on our usual family traditions. On Christmas Eve, we'd go to the bonfire and listen to Billy give a speech on the importance of family as we roasted marshmallows, then we'd return home, order pizza and watch Christmas films until we flaked on the couch. On Christmas Day, we'd swap gifts and then tuck into a traditional Christmas dinner before we sat in the living room and talked, waiting for the day to draw to a close. It had been the same every year. On Boxing Day, Bella, Jake and I would go hunting before we took a trip into Seattle or Olympia to look through the sales and see the Christmas spirit fizzle out. It had been last Christmas in Seattle that I decided I wanted to attend U-Dub in the fall.

We were lost in our own little world in the kitchen, catching up and reminding ourselves of the easy friendship we shared. She filled me in on what happened since I last saw her; they visited Shane in North Dakota before they ventured down here – the Shane that I was going to meet tomorrow night. I told her about our resent 'vacation' in La Push.

By the time we'd spoken about, well, everything, Jake shouted us, "Girls, we gotta go! If we're late again, Billy'll roast my balls on the fire!"

Thwack

"Jesus, Bells!"

Jenna and I erupted in laughter as we made our way toward into the hall to grab our coats. From the hallway you could see into the living room: Jake and Justin were stood side-by-side next to the couch where Bella and Dawn were sat as Charlie was still reclined in his beloved armchair.

I watched as Jake still rubbed his bicep glaring down at Bella who was wearing a stern look on her face.

"Well, we wouldn't want to hurt your assets, would we now?" I asked innocently, batting my eyelashes playfully as I shrugged on my coat and boots.

Jake turned his glare on me before striding past me and out the door, muttering under his breath. I chuckled as I walked over to Bella, a grin now spread across her face, and gave her and Dawn a kiss on the cheek before I followed Jake outside.

Justin had already claimed shotgun so Jenna and I climbed in the back.

Fifteen minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot near First Beach and climbed out, the cool wind whipping around us as it flew in from off-shore. We walked collectively down the beach, watching as the small, burning, orange light in the distance slowly grew into a mixture of colours; parts burning blue and green from the driftwood that acted as fire wood. In the distance, I could see the black silhouettes of the locals. I easily recognised Sue and Emily walking around the bonfire dishing out treats to the thirty people already gathered there. Most of the pack were there in their human form; only Quil and Embry were further off, play-fighting close to the water's edge.

"Hey guys!" A jovial voice called from our right. I looked and saw a tall, masculine figure running lazily toward us.

Seth.

Both Jenna and Justin had met Seth before when he patrolled the campus. When Seth made his presence known, the Hart siblings visibly relaxed. I momentarily felt bad as I'd forgotten how daunting this tribe could be. I had never experienced it as it was my second home and family.

They moved quicker to meet Seth as he approached. I began to match their pace when Jake took a hold of my hand and held me back. I stopped and looked at him seeing his concern. The light from the fire danced across his face shadowing some of his features and lighting his dark brown eyes, and, for the first time ever, I think, I considered him beautiful.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

He lightly stroked the back of my hand as he replied, "I just want to make sure you're okay."

I smiled up at him. "I'm more than okay, I promise: my friends are here, it's Christmas, and I get to spend time with my favourite wolf."

I stepped forward and pecked his cheek. He was smiling broadly until I yelled, "Hey Seth, wait up!" and took off running toward the group who had escaped us. I heard his laugh behind me before I heard his quick steps. It wasn't long before he'd caught me round the waist, spinning me round in the air as I laughed. In that moment, I forgot about the worries that had been plaguing me for days concentrating on me and him, what we had now, and what my entire family and friends meant to me regardless.