Chapter 20 – Secrets Revealed

I was enjoying my life in college. EJ was almost a year old now. Carlisle and Esme had a little girl, too, Nina. Emma was watched closely, to track her progress. She went through her infant months at a rapid pace, as all the children did. Her development was quick, but it was slowing as she got older. In her first few weeks, she was walking, talking, running and hunting. EJ, Madison and Nina followed Emma's lead. It was obvious she was proud to be the eldest, clearly something she inherited from Rosalie. EJ was now the size of a three year old. None of the children slept, but all of us insisted that they took some down time so that they did not use up the blood in the bodies too quickly. EJ was stubborn about it. "Mommy, I don't want to spend it with the girls. I want to go with Daddy." EJ batted his large eyes at me, "Ask him, then." He bounded up the stairs, taking four steps at a time searching for Edward. He was in the study with Carlisle. Edward, could you please open the door? Edward smiled as he held the door for us. His arms circled, me, "I love it when you do that." We found out that after consuming each other's blood, Edward could hear my mind, but only when I wanted him to. I still preferred my mind being silent to him. When we found this out, it was quite interesting.

I wonder what's taking them so long. Edward walked into the living room, "Stop worrying, we're right here." EJ leaped into my lap, "You were worried?" He knew me so well. I smiled at him, "I always do, when you're away from me." He rolled his eyes, "I was with Daddy." I smirked, But Daddy's not me. Edward scoffed, "Now that's not fair, Bella." I looked at him, "What do you mean?" "I heard you," he scoffed. I smiled, Now my husband is losing his mind. "Edward, I didn't say anything." He looked at me perplexed for a long moment. "Did you just think that I was losing my mind?" My smile fell, "How'd you know?" EJ was looking at the both of us, "What's going on?" Edward stared at me and soon, a smile came on his face, "I think I can hear Mommy's thoughts!"

From that day, Edward always wanted me to respond to him with my mind. "Daddy, do I have to spend down time with Maddy, Nina and Emma?" EJ leapt into Edward's arms and he chuckled, "Why don't you want to?" EJ groaned, "Because they're girls. All they do it play with dolls." Edward chuckled and looked at me. I put my hands in the air, palms forward, He's your son. Carlisle was smiling, "Why don't you spend it with me? We can do whatever you want." EJ grinned widely, "Thank you, Grampa." I felt someone or several people outside the door. Opening it, there were my nieces and sister in law. They were all glaring at EJ. He looked back, nervousness coloring his face. Emma glared, "Get him!" EJ leapt out of Edward's arms and ran around the room. "EJ! Emma! All of you stop it!" I barked. Edward dashed across the room, closing the door and lifted EJ into the air. I took up Emma and Madison and Carlisle took up Nina, "Emma, you are in trouble!" Carlisle looked at Nina, "And you too, young lady," Nina looked up at him with large eyes, "We need to talk." Emmett opened the door, "Let's go, Emma." Jasper was right behind Emmett, "Madison." The girls whimpered as they went off with their fathers. "I'm sorry, Daddy," Nina whispered. I looked back at them, as Esme's voice travelled into the room, "Don't let her get away with it, Carlisle." I smiled and held my arms for EJ, "Come on. You can come with me and Daddy."

Edward and I still had to pack up the last few things from my house. Esme hated having us away from the family. I agreed, but I wasn't going to sell the house. I was bragging my feet about moving in completely. It was different for me to live with a whole family, instead of living alone. I looked up from the box I was packing to EJ. He was holding a picture, "Mommy, can I have this?" He handed it to me; it was Renee and Charlie's wedding picture. My eyes were blinking back tears, "Of course. And, remember, Grams is coming for a visit soon." He beamed, "I can't wait. I miss her." It was hard explaining to Renee about EJ on her first visit. She hated secrets, unless she was in on them. She couldn't see me during my pregnancy, because it was so quick. EJ grew from a cell to a newborn baby in the matter of three months. "Bella, what's going on? Is something wrong with you and Edward?" I was lying in bed, rubbing my huge stomach, "No, Mom. Everything is great. It's just that Carlisle says we can't have a lot of visitors. You remember, Rosalie just had her baby too." Renee was skeptical, "Yes, that's true. She didn't even look pregnant at the wedding." I scoffed dismissively, "Yea, some people are blessed with good genes. I'm huge." She giggled, "I know. When I was carrying you, I couldn't see my feet after 7 months. But you were worth it."

After watching Rosalie's progress, Edward and I waited the appropriate amount of time, to make it seem that I had a normal, human gestation period. I even took off from school, but I easily made up for the missed time. While Edward and EJ played or hunted, I would use the quiet time to study. When EJ was with the family, Edward wanted me and I couldn't fight it, I wanted him too. EJ was such an advanced child, he was already reading book considered for high school students. Renee was excited seeing her first grandchild. She regretted not being there for his birth. It took me hours to convince her that his progress is very fast and that it was a 'need to know' basis. Surprisingly, she gave up with good grace; she just wanted to see EJ. For her visit, we were prepared to compel her to go along with things, just in case. I would hate it if things came to that, but it would be necessary to protect the children. EJ was excited for this visit, but we had to explain the rules. He could not bite Renee or Phil, do much talking, running and leaping. He rolled his eyes, "Mommy, I know the rules. I'll be good," he promised.

Edward chucked as he took EJ up in his arms, "You'd better be." The three of us ran back to the house, with the last of my things. Once inside, EJ lept onto Jasper's head, covering his eyes, "You can't see me! You can't see me!" Jasper chuckled, "But I can still smell you." Alice came downstairs, holding her daughter, "EJ, get off my Daddy!" Jasper chuckled as he reached up for EJ, "It's alright, sweetie." Edward and I went up to our bedroom. Before I could put away my things, Edward held my waist, "What is it?" I shook my head. He groaned, spun me around to make me look at him, "Are you worried about this visit?" I blinked, not saying anything. "Bella," his voice heavy with concern, "if you want we could furnish the other house and we stay there with your mom? Just you, me and EJ." My eyes closed and he pulled me into his chest, "It's just that she is so observant. That last trip, there were so many slips-ups. With EJ and the girls, then there was Emmett wanting to fight. Edward, I don't want to have to compel my mom and Phil. I mean now the kids are a little..." " Bella," Edward stopped my ramblings, "please stop worrying. Rosalie promises to watch Emmett and Emma. And I will be reading their minds the whole time." There was a timid wrap on the floor, "Come in, Alice." The door opened and she was smiling, "And I will be watching for any slip-ups that could be avoided. Besides, Renee likes to stay here with all of us. Trust me, Bella; this visit will be much better. All you have to do is enjoy the time with your mom." I smiled timidly, "Thank you." Edward tightened his hold on me, crushing me gently to his chest. Alice left and EJ came into the room. He saw our embrace. He tugged at my pant leg and raised his arms up. I picked him up and he hugged my neck. He put his small palm to my neck. I could feel his concern for me, Don't worry, Mommy.

Renee practically jumped out of the car before it completely stopped. "Mom!" I ran towards her and she hugged me, "Oh honey, I've missed you so much." Renee commented on how big EJ and the girls were. Phil talked sports with Emmett, keeping him busy. Renee talked with me and Edward about school. She wasn't surprised that I already made up for my classes. During the visit, Esme and I cooked large meals. EJ wasn't fond of eating, but he knew it would help. To butter him up, Esme baked him one of his favorite dessert, a mini strawberry cake, with a bit of blood in the batter. Renee offered to put EJ to bed. He was young, but he was a good actor. He pretended to fall asleep in her arms. Like a human child, he yawned widely and sucked his thumb. She groaned a bit as she picked him up, "This is a heavy boy," she chuckled and kissed his hair. I watched after them, "Be good," I whispered so low that Renee didn't hear, but he did. He opened one eye and winked at me. Soon, Phil decided to go to bed. Eventually, everyone played their parts and 'went to bed' at different times. I decided to 'stay up' a little longer and read. Edward kissed me lightly on the lips, "I'll be upstairs," he whispered on my lips. Renee came downstairs and saw our embrace. Edward bid her good night and left us alone. Renee was smiling widely, but when Edward was gone, her smile fell, "Bella, we need to talk." I looked at her and I recognized the look on her face. She figured something out and she wanted some confirmation.

She sat with me on the couch, "I just want to ask one question, that's all." I squared my shoulders, preparing to compel her if necessary, "Yes?" She stared into my eyes, "Does the name 'Darius' mean anything to you?" I froze. Holy crow, how did she know his name? She waited and I shook my head, "No." Her face got hot and I could hear her heart beating faster, "Bella, you may have changed, but you can't lie to me. I could see it." I scoffed, "What are you talking about?" Her brow furrowed, "Your darker hair, your paler skin, you're not tripping over things, you drive much faster and, of all things, you married Edward and had a baby. Bella, this is been a family secret and you figured it out." My eyes widened. I knew what I had to do, but I didn't have the heart. This was my mother. "M...Mom, what are you saying?" She sighed deeply, "Bella," she dropped her head and looked up at me from underneath her lashes, "I know you're a Daywalker. The whole family is. I knew what the Cullens were from the time I met them in Arizona. I knew they were vampires, from their gold eyes and pale skin. When I shook Carlisle's hand, that confirmed it for me. I didn't dwell on it because I was more concerned about you. Which reminds me, why did you really end up in the hospital in Arizona? I know you were bitten. I saw the scar when I came to Forks to get you, but I didn't know how you were still human."

I sat there, dumbfounded. She knew. She knew everything. What is going on here? I became a statue, just staring at Renee. I was locked in my own mind. She knew what the Cullens were, she knew who Darius was? Wait, a family secret? That brought me back, "What do you mean 'a family secret?' What secret?" She looked at me, "I'm right, then." She smiled in triumph, "This story has been passed on for generations. I was going to tell you when you turned eighteen, but then I met the Cullens and they left. I thought it would be better that you didn't know right then. I didn't even know if you knew, then I saw the bite mark. But you weren't well. I thought you might have done something rash." I gasped and stood up, in one movement, "Hold it! You knew this all this time! Mom, you're the descendant of Darius. Mom, you should have told me!" The monster was waking up and ready to attack. I pushed it away, this is my mother. She stood, "What about you? Edward was a vampire. You knew and you didn't tell me." I rolled my eyes, "Since you knew all this, then you should know I couldn't. It was dangerous enough that I knew. First James was hunting me, then Laurent tried to kill me after they left, then Victoria wanting her revenge with my death. I couldn't put you in all that." She gasped in horror, "What? You endured all that? Where the hell was Edward? Why wasn't he there to protect you?" I looked at her, then behind her, "Edward!" She whirled and I heard the increase in her heartbeat, "Well? Why didn't you protect my daughter?" The pain in Edward's eyes was wounding me, "Mom, stop! He tried his best." I went over to him. We stared at each other, "He's the one that got James off me, when I ran off to meet him. He tricked me, making me believe he had you. Edward sucked out the venom, before it could reach my heart." She stared at us, "And after your eighteenth birthday, when you got lost in the woods?" Edward sighed and held me in his arms, "I'll tell you everything, Renee."

Renee sat silently, listening to the true tales of mine and Edward's relationship. She understood why he left me. Then I explained what happened to me when they were gone. Edward winced at some points and his arm tightened around my waist. Her eyes began to tear as she listened to when I found Charlie. "The vampire killed Charlie and I killed him." I altered that part for obvious reasons. I explained my first few months, Prof. McCallister, coming to Cornell and reading the legends. She loved the part when I saw the Cullens again. She was tearing at that part and listened on batted breath when saw what I was.

I got her a cup of coffee as the waning hours of the morning came. Renee wanted to know everything and she did, almost. We explained about the pregnancy and birth. She thought it was a good idea to compel Phil, just in case. She didn't like it, but she understood. "Have you ever compelled me?" "No!" I answered automatically. I could see the sleep creeping up on her face, "Enough for now. You need your rest, Mom." She blinked and yawn, "You're right." She laughed once, "You sound like a mom. By the way, did everyone...?" Edward smiled and nodded. Renee bit her lips, "I hope I wasn't rude." Esme dashed down the stairs, making Renee jump, "You weren't. Bella is your daughter. Trust me, Renee, she is a daughter to me as well and we all love her very much. She completed our family." Edward kissed my hair, "And she completed me." I looked up at him and smiled. I could smell the salt water from Renee's tears, "I'm sorry I was mad with you, Edward. She's all that I have. Now I know she'll be taken care of, forever."

Renee and Phil went home. I felt so much better now that my mom knew the truth, about everything. I somehow felt lighter at this fact. She told me how her father told her the legend and that her mother didn't know about it. Edward and the others were relieved as well. Carlisle asked if Renee knew if Darius was still alive. "I'm sorry, no. That's still a mystery. But, all of you have plenty of time to find that out." Esme and I took Renee to the airport. I watched as my mom flew home, knowing about all of my life choices.