Chapter 13 - Healing

Edward's recovery progressed, and being constantly surrounded by his daughter and Mari, certainly helped the situation. He was completely unaware of what had happened since he started to lose consciousness. So they all filled him in on all the details of finding Mari, bringing her home and her sparing her venom to save him. Edward was in awe of the woman whom he thought was lost but in fact saved his life and in such a painful, noble way. After two days, Edward was sat up and talking.

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Renesmee rubbed her tired eyes as a yawn broke. Sleep was certainly easier for her now, but the events of the recent weeks were catching up with her fast. Some nights she woke in a cold sweat, her heart pounding from the ache of her nightmares. A few times they had been so bad she'd ran to Edward, just to make sure he was really alive. Carlisle spotted her tiredness and shook his head solemnly.

"Renesmee. These last few weeks have been tiring on us all. We can all see you are exhausted..." Carlisle had taken annual leave from work during Edward's care and as his recovery was improving vastly with each passing day, he had decided to return to work the following week.

"No. I don't wan.." she started to protest knowing exactly what he was about to say. Edward stopped her mid sentence.

"Grandpa is right Princess. You need to rest. I've taken far too much of your time already. I've missed so much. You've grown a lot you know? But you are a walking zombie, you need to rest."

"Aw Dad?!" There were always times when Renesmee showed her true age. Her whine proved this was another of those times. "Mari?" She turned to her motherly figure instead, hoping she would take pity on her and let her stay at her father's side.

"I'm sorry Princess. They are right." she held up her hands agreeing with Edward and Carlisle. "You do look tired sweetheart." The three cold ones chuckled as Renesmee huffed loudly and shuffled her feet out the office sulking. She would never win three against one.

"Just like her Mom! Stubborn to the last." Edward smirked then looked slightly embarrassed at Mari.

"Don't be ashamed to say her name Edward. Renesmee will continue to remind you of Bella. She is part of her too." Mari held his left hand in between both of her own and smiled at him tenderly. Carlisle sensing they needed to chat excused himself and retreated from the room.

"I think It's been a few hours since I said thank-you, isn't it?" He tilted his head to one side and smoldered at her.

"Hmm" Mari checked the clock on the wall. "I think you may be right?" she teased. Leaning forward, he brought his head closer to hers. She could feel his cold breath on her face. The mere touch made her swallow hard. Lord how she had missed this. He spoke in no more than a whisper "Thank-You"

"I seriously don't deserve your thanks. I put you here like this." Mari would never forgive herself.

"Ay! No! Don't you ever make this your fault. I did this to myself. I had a choice. I chose the wrong path." He shook his head. "You saved me."

"Well it was the least I could do. I'd hurt you so bad, to make you do that."

"You went through hell too! I nearly killed us both. Carlisle told me. I'm not proud of that." Edward lifted a hand to her cheek and ran his thumb across it.

"But you didn't." She leaned in this time, and rewarded them both a kiss. His cold lips tasted sweet. Pale lilac cushions filled with love and a mixture of their venom, running right through the middle.
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Carlisle returned periodically to tend to Edward's drips and ensured he rested as much as possible. The rest of the family ran the boatyard daily and brought back regular meals, so Mari didn't need to leave him to hunt. Renesmee slept in her father's room each night and spent most of the days by his side. She would bluntly refuse to go home which was of course against her father's will. Jacob arrived one dreary day to see how things were.

"Hey...bloodsucker!" he bounded in full of energy as usual.

"Jacob!" Edward nodded politely. "How nice to see you." His sarcasm made Jacob smile.

"You look as rough as dog shit!" He said, pleased with his insult.

"Not as ruff as you mutt!" Edward smiled at his apt answer in return."Pun absolutely intended!"

"Ouch! Dagger's to the heart man! Well, as you are in recovery. I'll give you that one" He approached the bedside and held out a hand, and they greeted each other with a man clap. He smiled at Mari to greet her and then turned to Renesmee.

"Hey beautiful." Jacob bent to kiss the top of Renesmee's head.

"Hey..." she said mono-toned and held his warm hand he'd placed on her shoulder from behind and brought it to her mouth to kiss and then to her cheek for feel his sudden warmth.

"Woah! Ness, you are freezing!" There was little point having heating when you are a house of vampires, so some days it got cold in their house, which only Renesmee felt of course. Jacob was out a lot with the pack now being Alpha, so she was beginning to adapt better to the cooler temperatures recently, spending so much time there and not with Jacob being around much to keep her warm.

"Hmmm? Oh I'm fine." She smiled up to him.

"Well now Jacob is here. Why don't you two go out for the day? Maybe to the beach or something?" Edward suggested.

"No. I'm OK here with you." She shook her head not wanting to leave.

"Listen Princess, you know I love you here. But you really do need some down time. To be you, to do more human things..." He barely believed he was saying these words himself.

Encouraging her to go out and have fun?! Odd.

"Really. I'm fine Dad! Unless you are trying to get rid of me?" She shook her head again

"You know I'm not. But I'm fine here." Edward reiterated.

"Ness. Maybe, your dad is right. I have been working a lot recently and I've been kind of missing you." Jacob thought the same. She did need to give Edward and Mari some space. He was just stunned Edward was the one suggesting it too.

"Wow?! You two are actually agreeing on something?" Mari chuckled.

"Yeah! You guys are ganging up on me?!" Renesmee whimpered childishly.

"No. I just think you need some time to relax. I'm fine! Carlisle's here, Mari is here! GO, go have some fun." Edward smiled swooshing her away in a fatherly way.

"Ok. I guess I haven't seen Jake for a few days." She gave in. She had missed him loads.

"Thatta girl!" Jacob fist nudged her cheek.

"Hey! Mutt! Look after my Princess?!" Edward smiled. But with an underlying warning.

"Yes, SIR!" He saluted and he took Renesmee's hand and led her out.
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"Woah! You and a Wolf agreeing on something! Times are changing?! You sure you are feeling better?" Mari giggled.

"Oh don't! As much I hate to say it. He is good for her! Not that I'd tell him that though!" He rested his head against the raised back of the medical bed and sighed.

"What's up?" Mari tilted her head intrigued.

"Oohh I dunno. One minute I hate the guy, then the next I'm glad she has him. Why couldn't she have fallen for a human?"

"Yeah well, I think it was he who chose her and I guess that's what being a parent is about. You have to let go one day, whether it's with a human or wolf. I don't think you'd feel any different than this either way and naturally you will be keen to veto her mongrel boyfriend. I bet Bella's Father did the same?" She snickered.

"Oh yes! He did. Being in the Police Force, he waved his gun around me a lot." Edward remembered introducing himself to Charlie officially when he'd been cleaning his rifle. "I guess you're right." He squeezed her hand which she hardly let go of these days. He smiled at her with warmth, the only warmth immortals could portray.

"What? What you smiling at now?" She would have blushed if she had blood in her shriveled veins.

"Have I told you I love you?" His autumn eyes searched her pupils.

"Only about 3547, no wait, 3548 times!" She rested her arms upon his bed by his side, bending slightly at her waist.

"Hmmmm. Well, I do!" He grinned feeling an extremely lucky man.

"That's 3549 now, and of course you do. You have my venom inside you. You are bound to me in more ways then you know!" She confirmed smugly. He chuckled aloud "Yes, and I am eternally grateful for your venom." Sitting up slightly resting on his left arm, he lifted his right hand and cupped her neck, letting his thumb tickle her left earlobe. Pulling her slowly towards him, he tilted his head just enough to plant a soft kiss on her slightly parted lips.

"..and what was that for?" She said as they separated.

"Shh! Don't speak..." he closed his eyes and kissed her again. Bound by his spell, her eyes closed too and she forgot all her surroundings. As they parted once more she remained motionless. Inside her head she was begging for more. He seemingly reading her mind smiled and gave her what she wanted. The third kiss arrived shortly after and the pull between them intensified only broken by a cough. Carlisle.

"Umm. Someone's feeling better?" Carlisle snickered. Edward groaned, crossing his legs awkwardly, trying to hide his now obvious bulge. Getting caught snogging your girl at over the age of 100 by your dad was a tad embarrassing. "Ok. If you are well enough for that young man, then I think you need to be thinking about getting up and about, before you grow roots." Carlisle grinned. "I'll be taking that drip out now to make it easier, I don't think you need it any longer!" He paced doctor-like towards his patient.

"I'll go get a drink." Mari smiled still slightly shy. Turning to Edward she said softly "Back in a minute."

"Sure." Edward let go her hand when it was at full stretch as she walked away towards the kitchen. Whilst attending to removing his bandages Carlisle spoke of Mari.

"You seem happy Edward." Carlisle smiled; he'd seen Edward's thoughts a lot recently. It made him happy that Edward was thinking about positive things once again.

"Yeah. You know? I never thought it could feel the same, after Bella.." He paused.

"Hmm. I know! Bella was extremely unique." Carlisle glanced at him and then back to the IV.

"They have so many similarities. Yet they are so different. Did you know straight away that I was bound to Mari? You know, that, this would happen?" Edward was curious.

"No. Not straight away. Once she had entered our home, it became apparent that she would serve you as a good mate. But not out in the forest no."

"Did Alice not see it happening either then?" Edward watched Carlisle remove the final wrap from his arm.

"Not to my knowledge, no. But that's not to say she didn't. Alice doesn't always reveal her thoughts, and it's only when she wants to see things but can't it becomes a problem." extracting the IV Carlisle brushed Edwards hand with an antiseptic wipe and his skin immediately sealed over.

"Yes, I guess I owe her an apology for that." Edward frowned; his actions towards Alice were inexcusable.

"Hmm, well it's a good job your sister has a forgiving soul."

"I still don't know about the soul. How can vampires have souls?"

"Our soul is our inner being, sacrificing yourself for Mari was a sign your soul still exists Edward. I truly believe that."

"Maybe." he was slowly starting to believe again.

"Mari did well Edward. Saving you, I mean. It must have hurt like hell. She coped with the pain so well. I'm not sure I could have done it! Not as new as she is to the change anyway. Keep hold of her son." He cleared away some of his equipment. "OK. I'm done here!"

"I love her Carlisle. I really do." Edward's beam said all he needed too.

"I know you do, and indeed if that is the case. You know what I think you should do." He said smiling at his son.

"Yes. I think I do."

"Right, You! Come on lad! Up you get!" No more words were needed on that subject. It was now just a matter of time.

A/N: Hey you guys. Thank you for reading. Many squishy hugs to my pre-reader CaptainClaire3. Luv ooooo xx

Busy week for everyone? I'm pleased to give you this chapter. My lovely Beta DodgerMcClure is extremely busy for a couple of weeks now, but I hope to fit one chapter in a week for you all. x

Thanks for sticking with me.

DeathToBeReborn xx