B POV

The three days had passed and I was keeping my word. Everyone deserved the truth and I knew without a doubt that if I were to go against my word then they would come after me, full force.

I knew what they wanted, but I wasn't prepared to give it to them. I told myself that I didn't want them back in my life, but every time I thought that, it pained me. I liked to think that it was a reminder of the pain I'd endured, caused by their disappearance, but I knew subconsciously that it was more than that. It was a feeling I'd ignored every time I saw one of them. I suppressed the urge to act upon it because either way they hurt me; I'd be damned if I allowed them to hurt Renesmee too.

She was my main focus in this; the sole reason that I was putting myself in their proximity. I was her mother; the one person that was supposed to protect her, even now. The whole point of me visiting today was to let them know of her existence and that was it. Emmett said that the 'Bella' they knew had gone and I knew that to some degree it was true. She'd gone the day they left and in her place was a woman who wasn't the naive, fragile human I once resembled. I was a mother.

Renesmee had always been curious about her family. Even now they were the forefront of her thoughts. The impression she had of them was one they'd forged themselves, but evidently that impression came from me. I couldn't be responsible for that. Not now, but in years to come when she would have pushed them away out of loyalty to me, she might regret it. I didn't want that.

The prospect of confronting them all scared her. It scared me too, but I tried to hide it. The only person that could really tell was Charlie; I couldn't hide it from him. He came to me last night and reassured me the way only a father could.

I had quite the party tagging along with me. Ness, Jake and Dawn had all said so immediately, and when Dawn called Shane, Jenna and Justin wanted to come along too. Justin reasoned that: 'Jenna would back Nessie and I'm here for the muscle.'

I stood alone with my thoughts as I waited for the entourage to assemble. Jake had taken Charlie up to La Push to be safe, with Ness tagging along; Dawn and Justin had gone to the woods to meet Shane, and Jenna was sat on the porch steps humming to herself lightly as she waited for her uncle to appear. Surprisingly, the rhythmic thumping of Jenna's heart soothed me. Not in the sense that it was appealing, just that it sounded extremely similar to Ness's own fluttering organ.

I went to join her on the porch, taking the seat beside her. She looked over at me and smiled, continuing humming the song I recognised as The Beatles' 'All You Need Is Love'; fitting for the situation we were in. She must have sensed my unease as she rested her head on my shoulder, encircling her right arm around my left as we waited for someone to show up.

-o0o-

The thrill of running always made me smile. The exhilaration from attacking the wind and pushing my limit was always enticing to me. It only vaguely registered now as I ran through the trees towards the outskirts of the town where the large white house was located. I led the group with Renesmee on my right, Justin to the left (the one person with a devilish grin plastered across his face). Dawn ran behind, whilst Shane and Jake (in his wolf form) brought up the rear, Jenna wrapped securely on Shane's back. She'd missed him.

To say it was my first time meeting Shane face-to-face, the fierce protectiveness that oozed from him earned immediate respect from me and to think he was putting himself in this position for someone he'd never met – someone he'd only heard about through his 'family' – made me indebted to him. Shane was exactly as I expected: tall, broad and handsome with his wide hazel eyes and his light brown hair. He came in wearing white sneakers, jeans, a tight grey t-shirt that was taut around his chest and a Yankees baseball cap. He was carrying a black jacket over his arm and a traveller's rucksack over his shoulder. Given his size and nature, Jake and he had somewhat of a pissing contest, sizing each other up until Justin broke the tension, refocusing them on the task at hand. Since then, they gained a mutual respect due to the same feelings they both inhabited.

I could hear the trickle of the stream looming as we came nearer and nearer to our destination; my first indication that we weren't far away now. The second clue was the mixture of different scents that bombarded us as we approached. Jacob sneezed.

The house became visible through the branches of the trees and I knew then that it was too late to turn around. My speed slowed until I was walking at a human pace, taking me to the edge of the forest's lining. Jacob disappeared then came back in human form, bare feet and cut off jean shorts. Surveying the house from where I stood, I realised that it had been a little over nine years since I last looked at this. I came here when I was pregnant with Renesmee, looking for any clues that I could help me find them. I had no clue what was happening to me and the only support system I had was a human who didn't understand this supernatural world and a wolf that hated what was growing inside of me. Finding nothing, I simply reminisced and let myself get lost in my memories as I wandered from room to room, imagining that it was all real; that the love, the laughter, the atmosphere, wasn't a façade. It was only once I stood against his grand piano in the last part of the room, that I let my emotions free, crying myself into an oblivion that lasted what felt like days.

Amidst my retrospective sorrow, I felt Renesmee's hand slip into mine giving a small, reassuring squeeze. I looked at her and smiled, showing my appreciation for the small act of love.

"It's not too late to turn around," she whispered to me.

I inhaled deeply through my nose, turning back to the house. A silhouette appeared in one of the second story windows, observing us through the trees. Instinctively I knew it was him. Edward. I broke my gaze away from him when I heard the front door open and a click of hollow shoes announcing someone's presence on the porch.

I glanced back at Ness, "Yes it is." It was now or never.

I took a stride forward making sure my shield covered everyone present as it naturally did, leading my family and friends toward the house.

As expected, Carlisle was waiting for us at the top of the porch, the front door still open. Carlisle was never a nervous person, he always struck me as someone that would keep the peace and resolve situations. The flicker of his eyes gave away his emotions; he was just as unsure about this as I was. I walked up the steps and stood in front of him, waiting. He played with his fingers as his eyes scanned my face. I could see the internal battle as he wondered how to greet me.

I exhaled sharply in irritation, not really wanting to be here but seeing no alternative. With that, he simply said, "Welcome back, Bella."

I narrowed my eyes at him to showcase my current feelings about being here. I didn't belong here, not anymore. Carlisle walked into the house, leaving the door open for us to follow. I turned to look over my shoulder at everyone. Renesmee was stood directly behind me, a shy smile gracing her face in encouragement. She was scared.

Because of that, I squared my shoulders and walked over the threshold, keeping my family behind me, making sure their thoughts were guarded from invasion.

Nothing about the house had changed; everything was just as I remembered: the white walls were still pristine, the furniture in exactly the same place, the floors free from dirt aside from the faint imprints of footsteps.

As expected, they were all congregated in the adjoining family room, stood with their respective mates. They'd positioned themselves like they were posing for a family portrait – probably unintentionally. Alice and Jasper stood to the right of the room near the television, Jasper slightly in front of Alice as if he were shielding her. The adjustment to his posture came as soon as Jacob's scent swirled in the room. Rosalie and Emmett stood to the left, closer to the wall than Alice and Jasper, Emmett stood behind Rosalie with his arms wrapped around her waist holding her against his body. Edward stood behind the arm of the U-shaped white couch that sat in the centre of the room so he could still observe from behind Esme and Carlisle who stood central – the heads of the coven – with their arms wrapped around each other's waist.

My gaze flicked over each individual catching their hazel eyes – some more vibrant than others – as a show of power against them. If I'd still been human, my heart would have given my true feelings away. I felt and heard my family spread out behind me, mirroring the Cullen's positioning. The familiar heartbeat told me that Renesmee stood firmly behind me acting as my source of calm and clarity whilst she used my body as a shield. Her heart was beating faster than usual and I knew why it was.

I caught Edward's eyes flicker to where she stood and that only sparked my anger more. I flexed my fist involuntary and the movement wasn't lost on anyone. It was that that caused Carlisle to begin the conversation.

"Whatever you may think, Bella, we didn't invite you here to fight," he spoke softly, eyeing everyone that stood behind me.

I clicked my tongue; a sign of my aggravation. "I understand that, Carlisle, but if you think that I would come here – a place that houses seven vampires – alone, then you were sadly mistaken."

My tone was harsh and venomous, nothing like I had anticipated, but I was set in the decision to keep my guard up at all times. I wasn't going to let them fool me. Okay, maybe I sounded harsh as I didn't know their intentions but I wasn't prepared to drop my guard.

Carlisle's eyes clouded over with an emotion I refused to analyse, as did Esme's. He sighed and averted his eyes before replying, "Would you consider talking to us in private then? Your company can wait outside-"

"Not a chance, Doc," Jacob interrupted, "we're staying where we are. You think I'd trust you to not hurt her again?"

As much as I valued Jacob's dedication to my wellbeing, I could feel Renesmee tense behind me; her heartbeat quickening. Someone growled in front of me, but I didn't pay attention as I reached my hand back. Ness took it and I gave her a light squeeze reassuring her like she had done for me outside.

"We only did what we thought was best for-"

Jacob scoffed, "Best for whom, exactly? Best for you? 'We'll just rid ourselves of the burden before she can do any damage, let's not worry about Bella, she's a mere human who isn't worth our time'; Was that it?"

As Jacob mocked them, I could not pretend that his words didn't cut into my heart. I prayed that my face wouldn't give away my emotions; hoping that it remained stoic and neutral. I had confided my feelings to Jacob; he was only regurgitating how their leaving made me feel – worthless and weak.

Renesmee's other hand curled into the back of my shirt, twisting it into her fist. Out of worry, upset or anger, I couldn't be sure.

"Listen, dog, we left to protect her. I didn't want to hurt her by dragging her into our world; it was too dangerous," Edward spat.

"Well, look how well that turned out!" Sarcasm laced his voice, but he was relentless. Somewhere in the back of my mind I was astonished that his anger hadn't caused him to phase yet.

I was most aware of how seven sets of eyes were drawn to me in that instant. "Forever eighteen, how 'bout that?" Jacob spoke rhetorically, throwing his arms above his head dramatically.

He continued, "Did it not occur to you that the moment you told her about what you were that you damned her life – that you'd already 'dragged' her into it? Not to mention you forgot about that feral red-head that was apparently looking for revenge. Congratulations, bloodsucker, you single-handedly ruined her life."

Edward blanched, "Victoria?" A collective gasp echoed around the open room from the seven people who didn't know she was a regular visitor.

Renesmee's hand still rested in mine and I was shocked by the thoughts that ran through her mind. Jake's words could be heard by everyone, but they weren't just affecting me. They impacted her thoughts and I knew that she often let her imagination run wild. In that moment, all she was doing what thinking the same three statements over and over: I'm sorry, Mom, I'm so so sorry. If it wasn't for me then you'd still be human. I'm sorry, it's my fault.

At that I reacted. "Jacob," I warned.

He chose to ignore me. "So you remember her then? I thought you forgot about her considering you left a human to defend herself against one of your kind."

Edward's head whipped round to look at Alice. She stuttered, "Edward, I – I didn't see anything, I swear. She wasn't – she..." She was at a loss of words. Of course, even I hadn't expected Victoria to act so ferociously against James' death, so how could Alice have known to look?

Jacob went to snap some more, but Renesmee's thoughts were growing more and more frantic as the conversation continued. Before he had the chance, I cut him off, much sharper this time.

Catching his attention, he looked down at me, his eyes blazing. Keeping Renesmee's hand in mine I touched her fingers to Jacob's palm, allowing him to see what this was doing to her. His eyes immediately showed regret; his anger diminishing rapidly as he listened to Renesmee's train of thought.

I sighed despondently before turning back to the Cullens. My eyes caught sight of their confusion and I saw Edward subtly shake his head in the negative; obviously answering an unspoken question.

"Penny for your thoughts, Bloodsucker?" Jacob teased, folding his arms over his chest.

Edward's eyes narrowed at us, flicking down to our hands which were still entwined around Ness'.

Jacob chuckled, "No, but I'd bet you'd give millions to hear ours."

"Are you the reason that Edward can't read anyone's mind?" Jasper asked Jacob out of curiosity. Despite his calm demeanour, defence remained in his posture and his voice.

"You should count yourself lucky that you can't hear what I have to think. My memories are still clear, especially seeing as I was there to witness everything that Bella went through."

"Stop it!" I yelled. "This is not what we're here for." I turned to Jake, "Watch what you're saying." I flicked my eyes to Renesmee, a silent plea that he stop bringing this topic up.

"She's right. We're not here to talk about the past," Dawn came forward, rescuing me from having to listen to this anymore.

"Funny, I thought that's why we were here," Rosalie scoffed. "Not that I haven't got anything better to do, but I thought the whole point of you coming here was to talk about what's happened in the last ten years; namely, a lot."

"Can it, Blondie, you never cared about Bella before, so why now?"

"Listen mutt, I never disliked Bella, I disliked her choices, and now I'm concerned for the human's safety."

Renesmee stiffened behind me. "Excuse me?" I hissed, catching Rosalie off guard with the venom that enveloped my voice.

She huffed, flipping her hair over her left shoulder. "Face it, Bella, you're less than a decade old and even then, vampires are still practically newborns, yet you have the audacity to invite a human into your family? Are you a masochist or insane? One day you're going to snap and that human will be at the receiving end of it; it's inevitable."

The anger burned inside me. Not only was she questioning me but referring to my daughter in that manner had me bristling beneath my iron hard skin.

"She does have a point," Alice muttered.

My glare turned to her, "What?"

Alice looked apologetic as she explained, "Bella, Nessie's nineteen years old and to be in a family with a vampire just shows she'd had a fragile life, your endanger-"

I held my hand up in front of me averting my eyes from her, "I'll stop you right there!" I'd never heard my voice as menacing as right this second. "You know nothing – nothing about my life or Nessie's life, so I suggest you stop with the assumptions. For your information, human blood does not appeal to me and one drop has not passed my lips."

That was kind of true. Aside from the incident a few months ago, the only time I had tasted blood is when I had to seal Renesmee's cuts a few years ago that she'd gained from cliff-diving with the pack. "She's my family and it's staying that way, and if you dare come between us then I will kill you. I don't care that I once considered you family, you're not anymore."

Taken aback at my comment and how I delivered it, the room remained quiet. "Coming here was a mistake; we're leaving."

I took one last glance at the Cullens and turned my back on them, pushing Renesmee toward the door. But, before I could take a step, someone grabbed a hold of my arm and pulled me to face them.

I hissed as I found myself face-to-face with Edward. "Bella, please. You have to know that I only left to protect you. I did what was best for you!"

"Stop it!" I cried, pushing him away from me. "The only thing you did was leave me broken. You, Edward Cullen, broke my heart when you left me alone in that godforsaken forest. You were the one I followed after you ran! You made me feel worthless and unloved. You played me and I curse myself every day for believing that you actually wanted me. I can't believe how naive I was to believe everything, but, guess what? I've changed. I'm no longer that human that you can manipulate a play with. You ruined me and if you ever think that I will come crawling back to your family, begging to be included again then you can think again!"

My breathing was coming out ragged. The pent up emotions that I had been holding back were finally coming forward. Sometime during my speech, Renesmee had left the house, followed by Jenna. It was too much for her to hear. She felt my pain, I couldn't hide it. They – the Cullens – evidently brought out the worst in me.

"When you left," I swallowed, "when you said goodbye, and told me that –"

Edward's eyes bore into mine before he whispered, "After all the thousand times I've told you I love you, how could you let one word break your faith in me?"

I growled in frustration, "Will you stop it! You don't have to pretend anymore! It has been almost ten years, Edward. Nine years, three months to be exact. I can't – I won't listen to this! It's not why I'm here."

He ran his hand into his hair, the copper reflecting off of the light left in the overcast sky. I internally cursed myself for still being attracted.

He took a step closer to me, his eyes blazing, pupils dilated. I stood frozen. "Why can you believe the lie, but not the truth?"

I shook my head, trying to remove myself from the spell that he cast. "Stop it," I whispered in defeat. I cleared my throat before I continued, "I came here to talk about Nessie – Renesmee."

It was the first time I'd allowed her real name to be heard in their presence. I watched them all closely to see if the name triggered any clarity, but without Edward to listen into our thoughts, there was nothing that could confirm even the smallest suspicion. As far as I knew, none of them knew Edward and I had ever been... intimate.

"What about her?" Esme spoke for the first time.

I battled with myself before I could speak. Was I certain that this was the right thing to do? What if it wasn't?

I felt Dawn squeeze my arm in reassurance. Looking up, I saw her smile tightly and nod her head in confirmation.

Taking a deep breath I began, "There's something you need to know about her, something you'll no doubt have a lot of questions about, but you need to listen to me fully before you question it. Can you promise me that?"

I watched as each of them nodded simultaneously.

I took a nervous breath in preparation of telling them that Renesmee was half vampire; that she was Edward's biological daughter.

But again, Fate had a way of intervening. Just as I opened my mouth to tell them, I heard it; a heart-wrenching scream that turned my insides out. It had me running out of the door without a second glance. I was fully aware of the footsteps that echoed behind me, but none of that mattered anymore.

What mattered most was finding the source of that cry, because I knew without a shadow of a doubt that it had come from Renesmee.