BPOV

Teddy grew rapidly and we treasured every precious minute of it. Edward and I were almost never away from him, except for quick trips to hunt and spend some alone time together while the little guy slept when we needed to.

He always knew that he was loved and cherished by the entire family. We worried a little about making him grow up too spoiled, but he understood so much that we knew we could talk it out should that ever become an issue. We doubted it would though, because most all of his thoughts were on how to make other people happy, particularly me or his father.

Carlisle sent the Volturi weekly emails with his measurements, photos and any interesting medical or learning developments, like how his skin only faintly sparkled in the sunlight, not enough to even be detectable to human eyes. Carlisle was guessing he would be fully grown at around ten years old. They were thrilled with his progress and fascinated by every minor detail.

While Edward and I were always a little worried that the Volturi might choose to create hybrid babies on purpose, it turns out that the risk of them doing so was actually way less than them simply biting people if they wanted to change them. They told Carlisle that they would file his research on Teddy away in case the situation ever came up again in the future but had no intentions of creating any more hybrids on their own. Alice could tell that they were sincere, having seen their decision in a vision.

The Volturi may have been sinister at times, but they weren't monsters, at least, not the type that would impregnate the unwilling. That was a happy reassurance.

We were worried that Teddy might resent this life like Edward had for so many years as he grew older. We weren't entirely sure how things like making friends would work for him in the future, especially since we had to homeschool him due to his development and would still be moving every decade or so. We decided to just take things one day at a time, making sure he always knew that we would love and support him no matter what. Alice assured us that our fears were unfounded and though nothing was concrete in his future yet, she was confident that he would have a long, happy life just like us.


My mom was happy with regular emails from me and sometimes Edward. She thought that we were taking online classes together while traveling some and celebrating our new marriage. Thus, the only remaining source of stress or worry in my life was Charlie and how he would react to my eventual disappearance.

We knew that he was way more perceptive and would notice the changes in my appearance, but he would also notice if I didn't see him for more than a few months. It turns out that our situation kind of resolved itself as Charlie became engaged to Sue Clearwater.

First, he learned about the wolves since he was going to be close to Seth and Leah. Then, we got a phone call from Sam Uley letting Carlisle know that he knew what we did, that our treaty was broken, and we were forbidden from Forks and La Push and finally, they were about to let Charlie attend a bonfire where he would learn everything. They had guessed exactly what happened to me, other than the pregnancy part, which we definitely didn't tell them.

We were a little worried about the wolves finding out about Teddy's existence, but we were several days drive away and surrounded by family. We felt confident that they wouldn't leave the La Push area so long as we didn't antagonize them. Everyone was sad that we could never return to Forks, but no one regretted it since we had Teddy, not even Rosalie. Edward and I wished we could return some day to reminisce, but the trade was more than worth it. We had our son and we had each other.

We bought plane tickets for Sue and Charlie to come visit us in place of attending the bonfire and with Sue's help, we intended to tell him ourselves.


Nervous wasn't the right word. I was terrified. Carlisle and Esme met them at the airport so they wouldn't see me until we were in the privacy of our home just in case he freaked out.

Carlisle's Mercedes pulled up the drive and Edward kissed my cheek. "Don't forget to act human. Breathe, blink, re-adjust yourself every so often."

"Does it matter since we're going to tell him anyways?"

"At first, yes." Alice answered. "He'll take it better if he can process everything a little bit at a time."

"Alright. Got it."

Emmett and Rosalie promised to keep Teddy safely upstairs out of sight until Edward or I asked for him. We both gave him a kiss and they took him up to their room to read stories or play with toys or whatever the little guy wanted. He was incredibly loved, and we knew they would keep him safe just in case Charlie panicked.

But now, Edward and I would need to focus all of our attention on my father. We knew that Sue could help calm him down, but we were still worried about risks like a heart attack, trying to run away, or hating us forever. Maybe all of those things, though Edward assured me everything would be alright. Alice saw a fifty-fifty chance of things going well, which wasn't very reassuring.

We heard them stepping up on the porch. Alice opened the door. "Hi Charlie!" she immediately grabbed him in a hug, being her usual self, and helped put him at ease before greeting Sue as well. She led them inside.

Edward stood with his arms around me, calming me, but also holding me for a second as I adjusted to their human smell, just in case. That didn't really bother me though. It's alright, love. You've got this. He loves you no matter what you are. Think about how much we love our son.

"Hi, dad."

"Bella!" he exclaimed, running to hug me, barely even looking at my changed appearance. Edward released me into my dad's embrace. "I missed you, kid."

"I missed you too, dad."

"We were so excited when we got your invitation!" Sue said, hugging me too. Edward focused on her thoughts for a moment. She's always been a great kid. I'm not getting involved in all this he said/she said vampires and wolves nonsense. We're all made one and the same and it sounds like she chose this. I'm sure the legends about the Cullens not harming humans are true or they would have killed half of Forks a long time ago.

I smiled, glad that she at least was accepting, although the Quileutes as a whole were not. Sue's approval would also mean a lot to Charlie, I'm sure. Charlie and Edward shook hands and we all sat down. Edward put his arm around me opposite them. It was then that Charlie really looked at me, his expression unreadable. Edward focused on his thoughts, but they were silent to us.

"You look different. Are you wearing contacts?"

"No, my eyes have changed color though."

"Weird, you sure you aren't sick?"

"I'm sure." I said, hating that we were getting right to the important conversation, but glad to have it over with. "But since you asked, there are some things you should know."

"Is everything alright?"

"More than alright." I smiled at Edward. "Everything is great."

"Why all the secrecy then?"

"Well, it wasn't exactly something I could tell you over the phone. I heard that you know about the Quileutes little secret, about Seth and Leah."

"You know about that?"

"I do."

He looked at me more closely, taking in the changes to my appearance. "You don't turn into a wolf too, do you?"

"No."

"But something is different about you."

"Yes. I'm still your daughter. Still Bella. I just look different. And I have a different diet. That's all really."

"Why?"

"Let's back up a little bit." Carlisle said. "Charlie, we know that you know about the wolves. Have you ever heard any of the Quileute legends about 'cold ones'?

"Sue told me a few of their tales on the way over. Something about a third wife?"

"Alright, good. So not all 'cold ones,' or vampires rather, are evil like the ones in the stories. Some survive on the blood of animals alone, choosing not to harm humans, much like how you would eat a steak."

Charlie stared at Carlisle, incredulous. Some of his thoughts were coming through to me and Edward. Vampires? What's all this nonsense about vampires? Wait, Bella's eyes are gold now…like Carlisle's…like Edward's...Alice…That can't be. They are pulling my leg!

"The ones that don't harm humans have golden eyes." I encouraged. "Like me."

"You're a vampire?" Charlie asked, disbelieving.

"I am. And so are all of the Cullens."

"What the hell-why?!"

"Well, most of us have been like this for many years. All except for Bella. I didn't want to change her." Edward said. "It was life or death. There was no choice."

"You mean to tell me you almost died, and no one told me?" he asked, looking at me.

"We couldn't."

"Because you're a vampire." He rolled his eyes.

"Partially."

"What else is there? What all are you hiding?" He didn't fully believe us, but was intending to try to understand exactly what was going on.

"You know the most important part now. We had to keep our secret. There's one other thing, a beautiful thing. But we have to finish explaining and make sure you are alright before we show you."

"Are you going to turn into a bat?"

"No." I laughed, as did Edward. "I asked Edward that when we started dating though."

"How did you get wrapped up in this? First werewolves. Then vampires. Sue, can you believe this?!" This must be the shock of the century for her as well.

"I know. I've known for a long time but been forbidden to tell you."

What?! His internal monologue was panicky, but outside, he was calm, although a little shaken."Why now?"

"The Quileutes found out about me changing Bella." Edward said. "They were about to tell you themselves, but we thought it would be better coming from us."

"Why couldn't you have stayed away from my daughter!"

"I didn't want him to." I said. "I love him. He did try to stay away. It didn't work. For either of us. I chose this life. And I'm happy. Happier than I've ever been."

We sat mostly quiet for a few minutes, allowing Charlie time to process everything. We could tell that he was overwhelmed. It's alright, love. He's not running and screaming yet. Edward re-assured me, rubbing his fingers over my hand that he held in his.

He focused his thoughts on Emmett upstairs, who was crawling around the floor on all fours pretending to be an animal while Teddy giggled at him from Rosalie's lap. We smiled at each other. Nothing could possibly ruin our happiness as long as our son was safe and happy.

"I have to ask you, Charlie." Sue said. "Can you keep their secret as well as you keep ours?"

He was quiet for another long minute. "I will. She's still my Bella."

"Always." I smiled at him. "We have one more thing to show you if you're up for it. A good thing." I emphasized.

"Alright." What the hell else could there possibly be? Is someone a witch? A ghost?

"Emmett? Rosalie?" I asked. "We're ready."

They walked downstairs, Rosalie cradling a smiling Teddy in her arms as Emmett made faces at him from behind her, making him giggle.

"This kid never stops laughing." Emmett announced.

"Because his uncle is a big goof." Edward said, smiling at him as he took the baby from Rosalie.

"Yeah, guess that might have something to do with it." Emmett laughed and took a step back, him and Rosalie still on guard to grab the baby at a moment's notice if Charlie reacted badly.

His uncle?! Charlie's thoughts asked, Edward focusing on him, carefully measuring his reactions. Kid looks almost a year old. It can't be!

"Charlie, this is Edward Anthony Masen III, taking after my human name." I stood up and Edward put his free arm around me, still holding Teddy in the other. "Our son."

Was she pregnant at the wedding? Did they…? What? "He's a hybrid. Half human, half vampire. He sleeps, eats normal food. But he grows quickly, and my pregnancy was very short, just a few weeks." I added, trying to help him understand.

"You were pregnant, and you didn't tell me?"

"I couldn't. It happened a few weeks after our wedding. And Edward had to change me because the pregnancy was very difficult on my body. It was the only way to save me."

"So, this…this is my grandson? This is really your son?"

"Yes." Edward said smiling. "Would you like to hold him?"

"Does he bite?"

"No." Edward laughed, handing the baby to Charlie, who admired him immediately despite the shock of everything. He was amazed to be a grandfather. This was a happy surprise for him.

Sue smiled at them, not expecting this either. "He's lovely."

"Thank you."

Teddy reached for Charlie's face and showed him how much he loved me, and then showed Charlie his own expression.

"Woah! What was that?"

"Some vampires have special gifts. He can show you his thoughts. He was asking if you love his mommy too." Edward said with a chuckle.

"Very much." Charlie smiled at the little guy, in love.

Teddy then showed Charlie some of his favorite memories of our family, like me finally waking up from my change to hold him, Edward and I holding him between us as he fell asleep and Esme singing to him as she fed him that morning.

"Wow." Teddy then noticed Sue and we relaxed as they got to know him. It was clear that he had won them over in ways no one else could. They were both alright with our secret, although a little uncomfortable, but happy for us. Thankfully, living with two teenage wolves first had gotten Charlie a little more comfortable with the supernatural and he wasn't incredibly surprised. He decided to handle things on a need-to-know basis as long as we could still be in his life. I promised him that we would be.

Charlie and Sue stayed with us a few days and then returned to Forks. We promised to call them often and told them that they could visit us any time.

Esme and I drove them to the airport while Edward stayed with the baby.


I returned home to find Edward lying in our bed, eyes closed, a small smile on his face, as Teddy slept on top of him and drooled all over his chest. I stood in the doorway admiring them, hesitant to disturb them, but Edward heard my thoughts.

He's sound asleep. Come lie down with us.

Is that a new fashion statement? Quite a pattern you have going on there on your shirt.

Edward grinned his crooked grin. He's happy, so I'm happy. He's been dreaming about us. He showed me Teddy's dreams, happy ones, of us snuggling him and playing with him. Teddy enjoyed the time he got to spend with Charlie and Sue as well. He also showed me that he had given our son a bath while I was away, fed him and sang him to sleep in his arms. I was certain that there had never been a more loving and attentive husband and father. Not needing to work or sleep certainly helped though.

I have been thinking that it's time he uses that grand crib Emmett and Jasper built him at least once. We'll still be close enough to hear if he needs us and be there in an instant. Following his thoughts, I readily agreed, knowing that the little one would sleep peacefully for at least a few hours after the long day he had. Everyone had played with him and admired him until he could hardly hold his eyes open.

I suppose my attentive husband does deserve his reward for taking such good care of our son.

Is that so? He asked, raising an eyebrow at me. Are you my reward? Because if you are, I'm going to try to earn one more often.

Please do. I smiled at him, lifting the baby into my arms without disturbing him and carrying him to his crib in the adjoining room. Edward wrapped his arms around me from behind and we both admired him as I covered him with a blanket, standing still for a few minutes, all of us happy and content.

Edward started softly kissing my neck and I turned around to face him. I looked in his eyes a split second before we both returned to our room, shutting the door to the nursery quietly, grateful that we could share our thoughts to stay quiet, not disturbing anyone as we made love. It had only been a few days, but each time was as magical as our first, although now we could finally be together without any fears at all. It was freeing and beautiful.


We both started online college classes, doing most of our work while Teddy was sleeping or happily playing with other family members. There was no shortage of people who wanted to love and admire him in our house.

We started with general requirements and had most of the exact same classes, which made doing homework and keeping a schedule together very easy. Charlie was proud when we told him, glad to see us doing something with our lives, even though money would never be an issue and he knew we'd live a very, very long time.

I was working on an English paper when I heard Edward's loud laughter followed by an unmistakable giggle. I had been focusing too much to hear Edward's thoughts clearly but took a second to focus.

Apparently, Carlisle had tried once more to get Teddy to sample baby formula to supplement his diet. Teddy, now having enough strength to hold his own bottle, promptly threw it, hitting Emmett in the face with it, making Edward crack up laughing, which made everyone else laugh too. Adorable little troublemaker. he thought, his heart full of love.

But then, Jasper declared that to be Teddy's way of telling Emmett that he lost the chess match they were playing, making up the rules as they went. This made the guys start wrestling and joking around, which made the baby even more amused. Esme sent them all outside before they could break the house. Edward and our son watched safely from the porch. Emmett and Jasper deliberately slowed down their fighting and made funny faces so the baby could watch. It seemed like the entire house was in a state of chaos, at least as far as the men were concerned.

Alice and Rosalie loved to play dress up with our son, putting him in all kinds of cute baby outfits and doing photoshoots. He didn't mind, happy for the attention. In fact, while all of the chaos was happening downstairs, they were upstairs online shopping for more baby shoes. I would have complained that he was too spoiled, but they donated everything to charity once he outgrew it and I knew that it would always be put to good use.


Christmas approached quickly and Edward and I both had the same issue. How could you surprise someone with a gift when you both share almost every thought? We decided to not try to surprise each other, but to instead to spend our money on experiences now that I could be safe around humans. He bought us tickets to a Shakespeare festival that he knew Teddy and I would love since we had read him almost all of his plays, and I got us all a private tour of the aquarium, knowing that Teddy would absolutely love the colors of the fish.


Christmas morning, I carried the baby in my arms downstairs as Edward played piano, just as he had for me that amazing weekend when he finally came home a long time ago. We both thought of our reunion as well as our lovely son, who asked for his dad. I sat down beside my husband on the piano bench and the baby watched him play with awe. Edward took him and sat him on one of his knees, showing him how to help with a key or two as they played Esme's favorite carols. Everyone's thoughts were joyful, but particularly Esme and Carlisle's at seeing their family complete and happy.

Esme managed to surprise both me and Edward with our gifts now that our thought sharing blocked out others from his mind unless he intentionally listened. She had gotten me a bracelet with a charm showing a tiny soundwave of Teddy giggling, and Edward the same on a keychain. We loved them.

Teddy had helped Emmett and Jasper choose which trees to knock over with much enthusiasm, which they used to make him a rocking horse and me and Edward a new, ornate bookshelf for our bedroom. Their new shared hobby was a productive one, at least.

He was spoiled with plenty of toys and treats, including a Christmas pudding Esme had lovingly made for him with Carlisle's help. We would never tell him that she snuck baby formula in it to help make sure he got his nutrition.

While the family celebrated around us, Edward and I mused that we had the greatest gift of all. The Gift. Our family.


Author's Note: That's it! As much as I hate to give up these cuties, that's a wrap on The Gift. It felt appropriate to bring it full circle with another Christmas.

Thank you so much to everyone who has followed this journey with me! I have read every review, favorite, and follow personally and they have meant so much to me throughout the five months it took to publish this story. There have been many changes and a lot of learning with my writing and I'm honored that you chose to spend this time with me. Some of you have even managed to keep up with all of my WIPs better than I have even, so thank you!

I also would like to give a few personal thank yous:

TheMoonsLullaby – Your sweet review today when you saw that it was going to be a boy made me smile so much. I'm glad that I could surprise you!

William Francies Reisen-Newman, Cullen Cousin, BridieM, dazzleglo, Squkymun, CoppertopJ, ChristyWIX, MsLiss, traceybuie, carmnss.16, edwards-girl-4-ever, Janett E Nikolaus, grandmachix, abbyweyr, sonogal, BethMasenCullen, DxGRAYxMAN, MightyMorphingPomegranate, jansalis, , Alishabear, arthemys and so many more that it would take me hours to name! Some of you reviewed so frequently that I started watching my inbox for your name to pop up after publishing a new chapter to see what you thought!

I appreciate all of you as well as those of you who will find this story after I publish the epilogue. So many of you have made me smile or laugh and improved many a rough day during the fun that was 2020 and the start of 2021.

If you like my writing, please check out my profile and consider giving me a follow. I am obsessed with New Moon.

With Love,

helenareject