Hello. sorry for the late update; i normally get the first few chapters out pretty quickly, but with all my school work, it's slow going. but here it is! the new chapter. i hope you enjoy it.

Asleep! O sleep a little while, white pearl!

And let me kneel, and let me pray to thee,

And let me call Heaven's blessing on thine eyes,

And let me breathe into the happy air,

That doth enfold and touch thee all about,

Vows of my slavery, my giving up,

My sudden adoration, my great love!

-John Keats

Chapter Two

"No!" Rosalie whirled around to face Jacob, a snarl marring her beautiful face. "This is your fault!" she screeched. "I knew we should have taken Renesmee away!"

"Rose, calm down," Emmett said, stepping forward.

Without missing a beat, she jumped at the burly Cullen. "Calm down? How can I when the Volturi is demanding Renesmee go to their city? It's all because of that mutt!"

Nearby, Edward sighed and cast a glance towards his daughter. As if the two shared the same thought, Nessie nodded and reached out to take hold of Rosalie's arm. "I can't stay here forever, Auntie," she whispered softly, mirroring her earlier words. "We always knew I would have to go to Volturra."

Rosalie turned her amber eyes onto Renesmee, frowning. "If you're all right with this, then I won't stop you." She straightened. "But you are not going alone."

Suddenly, Bella laughed. "You and I are on the same track, Rose."

The two women shared a look and then, as one, looked at Alice. The other vampire, though, lifted her hands. "I can't see anything," she muttered sourly. "With Nessie and Jacob, everything's black and hazy."

Rosalie shook her head. "Fine. But the main concern now should be protecting Nessie. So, who's going with her?" The blonde shot a smug look at Jacob. "Besides the dog and myself?"

Jacob groaned. "Blondie's coming, too? I might as well stay home."

At his words, Renesmee turned, eyes bright with something close to tears. "You're not coming with me?"

His heart contracted painfully when he saw her pain. Hurriedly, Jacob shook his head. "Of course I'm coming with you. I just don't like Blondie."

"Jacob…" Bella warned. "If it weren't for Rosalie, things might have turned out differently. So play nice."

"Sure, sure."

"Alice stays here," Jasper said suddenly.

"Jazz, I can--"

"Aro has been trying to get you to join him for years; I won't have you put at risk like that."

Alice was quiet for a moment and then nodded on a sigh. With the addition of Renesmee, Alice and Jasper had spent more and more time by themselves. It always Jacob to see how close they really were. Always, he thought that the two Cullens who seemed the closest were Bella and Edward. But Alice and Jasper's connection rivaled even theirs.

Edward frowned. If it was up to those most capable of protecting Renesmee, Jasper was the best bet--outside of Bella. But if Jasper did not allow Alice to go, she certainly would not let him go either. And with Rosalie going, Emmett would refuse to stay home, especially when there was the possibility of a fight.

He knew Esme would stay at home, as she often did, and it was best if Carlisle did not go to Volturra. And Edward did not relish the idea of allowing Bella near the Volturi again. Still, Bella, with her abilities, proved the best defense for Renesmee and Jacob should Aro decide not to let them leave.

"Can't I go with just Jacob?" Renesmee asked.

Before any of the vampires could attack him, Jacob turned Nessie gently. "It's better if we have other people with us, too," he told her. "We can't trust the Volturi, especially not with you."

Nessie sighed softly, knowing he was right. "Fine," she capitulated. "But they probably only want to talk to us, nothing more."

"We'll see."

Throughout the plane ride, Rosalie continued to glare at Jacob, as if trying to make him burst into flames for being one of the reasons the Volturi continued their interest in Renesmee. Jake had fallen asleep within a few hours after takeoff. But, even in sleep, he was always aware of Renesmee sitting beside him. And, when she finally dozed off, hand on his, they shared the same dream.

Filled with sunlight and sparkling water, Nessie gave him a wonderland full of dancing shadows and soft music. It washed over him, a stream's waterfall of beauty. Years before, when Renesmee was still a little baby, world full of colors, Jake liked nothing more than to peek into her dreams. And, though those visions broadened, filled with clear pictures, they remained as delightful as ever.

But, as the dream played out, it began to change, becoming a world feeling of warmth and butterflies. Jake saw himself, standing in the moonlight. And there was Nessie, dressed in a long, flowing white gown. The two slowly approached one another and clasped hands.

Nessie stood on her toes, smiling as she whispered softly in his ear. And then, from the heart of the forest came a whispery music. Though, before the Cullens, Jake hardly knew the difference between Baroque and Romantic music, he now recognized the melody wending its way through the trees. The Waltz of the Snowflake sounded as Nessie and the other Jake began to dance.

If the sight were not so captivating, Jake might have laughed. But he could not take his eyes off of Nessie, swirling in her foamy dress. And then, like a little bell, she began to laugh. Freely, joyfully. That sound, which Jake heard a thousand times before, suddenly changed, sounding less like a bell and more like the fuller, softer sound of a seductive brook.

And then she turned, face filled with light. And smiled at him.

"Jake… Jake!"

"JACOB!"

He jerked, looking wildly around. "What?"

Bella shook her head. "You've been sleeping for most of the flight."

Jake ran a hand through his hair. "Really?"

Beside him, Renesmee laughed, sounding too much like she had in his dream. "Really."

At her smile, Jake froze, dazzled. But, as Edward stirred, eyes flashing dangerously, the werewolf shook himself and looked away. "So are we there yet?" he asked on a yawn.

"No," Rosalie snapped. "Unfortunately."

"Hey, what do you call a blonde between two brunettes?" Jacob asked. When Rosalie simply looked away, he went on. "A mental block."

"Get some new jokes, mutt,"

"Yeah, Jake," Bella voiced. "Or I'll search your head for blonde hair."

He shot her a smirk. "As if. We're more likely to find it in yours."

Renesmee placed her palm against Jacob's cheek, silently telling him to be quiet. She hated it when her family bickered. She preferred the world happy. And, while she knew not everything worked out so well, Nessie could at least keep her family civil.

When Jacob quieted, Nessie drew her hand back, looking away as she suddenly felt a wave of warmth crash over her. Already, she could feel the blood pooling beneath her cheeks. And she knew that, if she did not control her own thoughts and emotions, her parents would begin to worry. Or argue with Jacob.

Always, for as long as she could remember, Jacob had been there for her. Like a brilliant sun, he lit up her world with warmth and camaraderie. And now… Renesmee sighed softly. She loved her parents, but she loved Jacob, too. He was hers. It was that simple. But, that connection always bothered her parents. And Renesmee was simply not certain that Jacob felt the same way.

Still, despite everything, her every dream remained centered on Jake. Sometimes they danced through the forest, sometimes they hunted. And, oh, did she love the thrill of that! When they ran through the trees, hearts beating faster, laughter mingling in the dark. Jacob belonged to her and she would not allow anyone to come between them, even if she had to defy her parents. Or tear Volturra down brick-by-brick.

---

Bella watched her daughter apprehensively. She did not like the idea of allowing her child to walk right into the arms of the Volturi. But they really had no choice. Unless they wished to fight again. And this time, such a thing might bring about a war no one wanted. This time, they might be alone.

Or things could go the other way. But Bella did not want to leave things to chance. No, if push came to shove, she would rather no fight happened at all. They were lucky the first time, but Bella could not bear the thought of any member of her family being hurt when there was a simple solution. So they traveled to Italy, to visit Volturra. And make it absolutely clear, once and for all, that none of the Cullens would join the Volturi.

Beside her, Edward stiffened, eyes narrowing as he looked at Jacob. Bella frowned. It could only mean one thing, really. And the thought made her sad. Her little Renesmee, her little nudger, had grown up far too fast. Four years alive and already the girl looked seventeen. Bella might have come to terms with her best friend imprinting on her daughter, but that did not mean she had to like it.

For a moment, Bella longed for the feeling of a baby in her arms, longed for another child. She could picture him, as she always had, the little green-eyed boy who so resembled Edward. But, even as the vision entered her head, Bella cast it out, knowing it to be impossible. For, though Edward could produce a child while a vampire, she could not. Forever frozen at the age of eighteen, her body frozen in time, her body could not change to support life.

But she had Renesmee, that beautiful girl whom everyone adored. The beautiful young woman who carried with her a calm and grace few vampires, even, could match. Nessie with her glowing skin and soft, beautiful features. Sometimes, it amazed Bella that someone so utterly lovely could have come from her. But there she was.

Shaking her head slightly, Bella slipped her hand into Edward's, heat flashing suddenly. He turned his head and smiled down at her, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. His coppery eyes, so full of secrets, stared into hers with a promise. And, just like that, Bella's fears and pains fled her. Here was her life, her reason for living. Edward. Even the name struck a chord deep within her.

"Later, my love," Edward whispered into her ear. And then, placing a kiss on her throat, he straightened.

Jacob shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he heard Edward's words. He no longer loved Bella like that, but it still pained Jake to hear--or, in most cases--see Bella and Edward's relationship. It was an old pain, he guessed, pain for the life he and Bella could have had. But, even when he thought of that, he thought of Renesmee and how, if not for Bella's love for Edward, she would not be there. And it made him shudder.

Carefully, so as not to disturb her musing, Jacob wrapped an arm around Renesmee's shoulders. "I hope we land soon," he said.

Nessie turned and gave him a brilliant smile. "Me too."

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-thejadespirit