Chapter 2

Paris never falls in this story.

"Jakie!" Cried Renesmee jumping off my lap and into Jake's arms. I had been so absorbed in her memories that I hadn't even noticed Jake sneak through the front door with an apologetic look on his face directed towards Edward.

Edward rose but before he could pursue whatever he was going to yell at my best friend I said to him, "Leave it... He can't help but feel protective over her." I looked at him meaningfully and he came over to sit by me and I snuggled up to him breathing in his strange better-than-vampire scent.

Jacob wasn't just there for Renesmee of course. He was still my Jacob after all and even though obviously all romantic feelings were long gone we were still a massive part of each other's lives. I told him, Rosalie and Emmett about the guy who had recognised me from Phoenix and what problems it might cause.

"I suppose we could just say it is me and just distance ourselves from him." I suggested while watching Nessie pleading for attention from Jake who easily obliged.

At around 8 o' clock we put Nessie to bed, said goodbye to Jake who was going to stay the night in one of Rose's many spare rooms - much to her distain - and ran off together holding hands back to our on-campus home through the luscious velvet dark.

I could tell Edward was still pissed with Jake all that night but I knew whatever I said it wouldn't change his mind about Jake's intentions. However I knew it wouldn't affect Jake as he was used to much worse hostility from Edward and embraced it like an old friend. It still pained me to think of that dark time that I could barely remember but was fresh in both of their memories.

A romance, a kiss and a whole lot of pain was stirred up and I knew that it would never be forgiven but they had actually become friends – until Edward brought up the whole wolf-imprinting –on-our-daughter thing but I had no problem with it. Jake was family and it made me happy. Edward knew this of course as when we were together at night I often drew back my shield to show him how I felt so as these thoughts went through my head he looked up and broke away from our kiss. We never spoke about it though because we didn't like to argue...

The next day we set off for college with anticipation for Luke's – for that was his name Edward told me – reaction to me. We had decided to just admit to it being me but not really remember him then maybe tell him about Edward and me, be friendly then distance ourselves from him.

"Bella Swan?" Was the first thing he said when he came us, sitting on the grass on the vast campus.

"Um. It's Bella Cullen now Luke." I told him showing him my wedding ring and looking up at Edward who was definitely giving Luke his worst glare. I nudged him in the ribs and he let out a groan of pain. Good. I thought pulling back my shield as a telepathic warning to play nice.

"What? Oh wow! I never knew. I left shortly after you did – some place in Alaska – so I never heard the news." He said. "You must be the lucky guy?" He asked Edward extending his hand for Edward to shake. Big mistake in my opinion. Edward took his hand and the shock of his ice cold touch showed on Luke's face.

"Yes, I'm Edward Cullen. Nice to meet you Luke." Edward said after a moment of surprised silence for Luke. "Well Bella we better get to that lecture we don't want to be late." As if we could be late with our speed and organisation skills. "See you around Grimshaw."

"How did you know my last-"Luke began but Edward and I were already walking briskly towards a large group of students heading for the same lecture.

"You shouldn't confuse him you know." I said to Edward while wrapping my arm around his waist.

"If he is confused he will surely back off. Humans like to know everything and don't like confusion." He told me, flashing me my favourite crooked smile. I forgot all about Luke and wrapped my arms around him and he pulled me close and our lips met. It was almost as good as our first vampire kiss. Slow and building and just as we were getting to the best bit someone yelled: "Get a room!" and we let go of each other, embarrassed.

Jake met us on the campus perimeter with many people giving him a wide berth as he looked dangerous in just a leather jacket and shorts. Some girls however were definitely checking him out. He obviously had the whole bad-boy-that-parents-would-hate look about him but it was just the way Jacob looked he was completely Charlie's favourite until he found out about the whole wolf thing. Now he could barely look at him.

He had Nessie with him but we could only smell her as she was hiding behind a tree about 50 metres away. We greeted him with surprise – even Edward hadn't known – and walked back to Nessie with him and he pushed his bike instead of riding it on the road.