Merry (Belated) Christmas! And Happy New Year!

Well, this year's been a rollercoaster, and a lot of bad stuff has happened- Rest In Peace all the people we've lost, we miss you very much.

But as well as the bad, there's always the glimmer of hope that gets you through the year, and to all the people who've been my glimmer of Hope, thank you. I could never have done this alone, without you I'm a mess and I'm so lucky to have you. You're my sunbeams- some of you are more 'moonbeams', but nevertheless, you're all absolutely magical :)

So, I hope your years have been good, and thanks for reading.

Just remember- There's no darkness without light, and that light is hope- the most amazing thing a person can feel.

Happy Holidays! xxx

LILY'S POV

"So," Carlisle encouraged me, "Your gift...?"

I grinned, obviously his curiosity had been eating away at him and I was in no position to leave him unsatisfied. I took a deep breath and looked at all of the faces surrounding me.

We were in the lounge again, and apparently they were interested in me. Edward sat near the window, with Bella and Renesmee wrapped closely into his chest. Jacob sat at their feet, occasionally glancing and smiling at me, but mostly gazing at Renesmee, making sure she was happy. Seth was closest, absorbed in the conversation, looking up at me from his place on the carpet- apparently he preferred the floor to chairs today. Alice and Jasper sat comfortably opposite on the sofa, Jasper contentedly nuzzling into the hollow of Alice's throat. Esme and Carlisle were on the same sofa as me, both looking at me kindly. They made me feel at ease. Rosalie and Emmett, however, were furthest away. They were casually embracing by the doorway. Rosalie's head was against Emmett's chest, probably listening to his breathing- I could tell she wasn't all that interested in me.

I giggled.

"Well, it's not the easiest thing to explain. I- already know you all in a way, if that makes sense."

Bella cocked her head to one side, clearly interested.

"How? If you don't mind me asking."

I smiled at her, "Of course not. I learnt about you all through Nahuel,"

This time I had the attention of them all- even Rosalie.

"Nahuel told you about us?" Bella asked.

I bit my lip and glanced down.

"Not really, I sort of looked through his memories. He didn't know overly a lot about you, but he knew enough. I learnt the rest from others," I admitted.

Bella pursed her lips and this time Renesmee spoke up.

"How do you know Nahuel?" She asked clearly in her soprano voice.

I couldn't help but smile. Renesmee was beautiful. As soon as they had trusted me, I was allowed to see her. My first experience with her gift was incredible, although having Jacob hovering worriedly around me the whole time was slightly off-putting. Renesmee hadn't talked to me much yet though, because I simply hadn't had the time.

She looked about six years old now- maybe slightly younger- but I knew she was physically younger. I'd been amazed at the rate I'd seen her grow through the others' thoughts. Of course, I'd grown at a similar rate, but I'd been too busy with my surroundings to take much notice.

"When he left you, he was curious as to the existence of other half-breeds, like you and I, Renesmee. You'd given him a lot to think about. He set off to find others like us. When he found me, I was the second he'd come across, other than you and his sisters. The other was called Hassan. He was the only other male half-breed Nahuel had come across, and so after spending some time with me, he went back to visit Hassan,"

Renesmee smiled at me,

"So we're not so unique after all?" She queried.

"Of course we are," I grinned at her. "There are so few of us, technically we are endangered," I winked at her and she giggled.

Carlisle spoke up again,

"This Hassan, is his life-choice similar to ours? Or does he rely on blood more heavily than you and Renesmee?"

I frowned.

"He comes from a coven that hunts humans. There are about six of them. His father, mother, and some others. He can eat human food but he chooses not to, he wants to fit in with his coven, and he believes the human blood makes him stronger- more like the others."

Bella's wide eyes caught my attention.

"His mother is still alive?" She asked, shocked.

"Yes," I said quietly, "But she is a vampire now, of course."

Both Bella and Edward were looking at me expectantly, so I reluctantly carried on.

"Hassan's father impregnated his mother without loving her- he came to her in the night. He did not feed from her- I don't quite know why- but he left the following morning. She found she was pregnant, and somehow Hassan's father found out too. Out of some guilty conscience, he made the promise to look after her, telling his coven that she was to be treated as one of them. He grew to love her, and realised he wanted her to live as a vampire with him, but she wanted the baby too badly to say yes straight away. Late into the pregnancy, Hassan started to kick and injure his mother from the inside, so despite her pleas for him to stop, Hassan's father cut the baby out with his teeth. He then worked to keep Hassan's mother alive so she could stay with him forever. Hassan very nearly died though- his father had cut him out of his mother too soon."

I sighed and looked up to their shocked reactions.

Edward, however seemed deep in thought and did not question the story.

Carlisle murmured something about a "guilty conscience" and I caught on immediately.

"I do not know much about Hassan's father. His name is Ismet. His decisions confuse me though- I'm not sure how he could show compassion to a human he impregnated but not to ones he is about to kill. After the ordeal he continued to hunt in the same way, so I do not believe he could love Hassan's mother as much as he claims."

Renesmee looked down at Jacob, with a sad look. He took her hand and smiled. She smiled back, but her thoughts told me she was still thinking this over. Jacob looked at me.

Maybe something happier? He thought.

I took a second to think, going through all of my experiences- and others- looking for a suitable story to follow with. I eventually picked out a string of events that might lighten the mood.

"So, after Nahuel left to go see Hassan, I had a lot to think about. He'd told me about you, and I'd seen you in his memories and thoughts. I realised that I needed what you were, not a coven, but a family," I smiled at Renesmee, intending to lead into my journey here, telling them about the vampires I met, the places I visited and the new and exciting things I found.

"What about your family?" She questioned.

I froze. A sudden bolt of pain ripped through me. I held my breath, trying to make the memories go away. It didn't work. My barriers were too weak, I'd been caught off-guard. As the images flooded back I felt moisture welling up in my eyes. I closed my eyes for a moment, willing the tears to go away.

I heard Edward murmur something to Renesmee, and the others breathe in, obviously waiting for my reaction.

I'm sorry, thought Renesmee quietly.

"No, no, you had every right to ask. But I don't think I can talk about it right now. Is that okay?"

I opened my eyes, smiling weakly at her. She looked back at me, and nodded seriously, her golden curls bouncing about her face.

I smiled again and looked down, trying to remember where I was...

A pair of eyes found mine. Seth's.

He looked at me sympathetically and I smiled back. He made me feel better without even trying.

"Uuh, so, yes, from Nahuel's thoughts I knew where you were, so I set out on my own to find you..."

SETH'S POV

"It's getting late..." Murmured Edward as Renesmee yawned.

"No," She protested sleepily, "I want to hear more stories... Tell me about the wolves again?"

I looked over to Lily who giggled. Typical that Renesmee would choose that story- I felt the smugness roll off Jake.

"Your father is right, Renesmee, it is quite late, you should be getting to bed. I'll be here tomorrow to tell you more stories,"

I'm sure Lily meant to sound reassuring, but it came out as more of a question. She glanced up to Carlisle and Esme as she said it, clearly querying her stay here.

"Of course Lily will be here, Renesmee," murmured Esme.

My angel beamed, then stood up. Her legs shook slightly then gave way. Without a second of hesitation I caught her carefully in my arms.

I smiled down at her.

"Seems Nessie isn't the only one who needs sleep," I grinned.

She blushed and murmured a thank you, awkwardly standing back up again. I kept my arms securely around her waist, because she still seemed shaky.

Glancing up I saw heads turn away, huge grins painted on them.

Jake smirked and Emmett stifled a laugh.

"Way to go, Seth," Emmett muttered, snickering.

I glared up at them, embarrassed.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Lily turn a deeper shade of red and hide behind her hair. My heart melted. She was just too adorable.

"Well," Bella interjected, "We'd better be going," She smiled, and I kept my arm securely around Lily as she said goodbye to Jake, Nessie, Edward and Bella. It seemed Jake was going to stay over at theirs tonight.

Lily hugged them all. When she got to Ness she grinned and broke free of me, picking her up and whirling her around. She hugged her close.

I heard Bella and Edward murmuring, too low for anyone but me to hear.

"She seems to like Renesmee..."

"She's the closest thing to family she has now," Edward murmured back, as if using it as an explanation.

Bella looked at Lily and Nessie, a hint of sadness sprinkling over her face. She sighed and waited for them to finish.

Renesmee had her hand pressed to Lily's cheek, and Lily giggled.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight Nessie," She beamed.

Bella groaned, "You too?"

Lily bit her lip and looked at her apologetically.

"It's a cute nickname- sorry." Bella smiled and I waited patiently for them to leave so I could ask Lily a few questions.

As they headed out of the door Jacob whispered in my ear.

"Emmett was right, way to go Seth, she's pretty hot," He laughed.

I growled at him under my breath, making him laugh even harder.

Lily sighed when they'd gone, and I saw her look back to Carlisle and Esme.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality, but you really don't have to-"

"Nonsense," Esme cut her off quickly, "You're staying, we'll go make up the guest room," Rosalie, Esme and Alice glided up the stairs gracefully, quickly followed by Carlisle who was "going to his study to read".

Emmett and Jasper told me there was a game on, and they couldn't miss it. As they left, I saw them wink at me. I rolled my eyes.

I turned back to see Lily looking up at me, a smile stretched on her face.

"What?" I murmured, "What's the joke?"

She giggled again, and muttered something too low for me to hear- quite an achievement really. I ground my teeth together, frustrated that I didn't get to hear what she said. My hands shook slightly. I don't know why I was so easily angered- maybe it was just this whole imprinting thing. She noticed my quivering hands and suddenly her face snapped up, her nose wrinkled as she frowned.

"Being mad at me isn't going to solve anything,"

I took a step back and grinned sheepishly.

I forgot she could hear everything... OH CRAP. Did she hear about the imprinting? I looked back down at her face to see her staring aimlessly around the room.

"What do you mean 'solve anything'?" I murmured.

She glared back up at me- at least I think it was a glare- whatever it was, it made my heart both hurt and leap for joy at the same time. I hated these mixed feelings. She carried on with her stare for a few seconds until she sighed and her gaze softened, her eyes glinting again.

"It's pretty clear I'm not entirely wanted here. Your sister doesn't like me much, does she?"

I relaxed a little, but tried to work out what she was getting at.

"She hates pretty much everyone," I replied softly, "Don't worry about it."

She murmured quietly again, obviously not wanting me to hear, but I was prepared this time, and heard just enough to make out:

"But for some reason it does bother me,"

I frowned, confused.

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

She looked up, biting her lip, looking embarrassed.

"Why does your sister hate me?" She asked, changing subject.

Inside I froze. I knew why Leah didn't like her- it was because I'd imprinted on her- but I wasn't going to tell her that.

"I don't know," I said quietly, trying very hard to sound convincing.

She looked down, sighing again. It wasn't an unpleasant sound, and in fact she'd done it so many times now I readily waited for it.

"From what I got, she's worried about me. Not my well-being, of course, but about me just being here. Worried about reactions."

I nodded. I didn't know whether to be glad or mortified that she respected Leah enough not to ransack through her thoughts, but that didn't matter right now.

"She's worried about you, too," She murmured, looking up at me with those big, blue eyes.

Inside I melted- surely she must have some idea of what she was doing to me?

"The second I walked into the clearing- well, just after really, when you'd all seen me, she became worried and angry."

I clenched my jaw, not wanting to talk about this right now. I'd wanted to wait about the imprint stuff.

"It hurt, if I'm being honest," She admitted, shrugging.

I don't want you to hurt.

My immediate thought was so severe, I regretted even thinking it.

She looked up at me with intense curiosity, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

"Why?" She whispered, shaking her head slightly.

I bit my teeth into my lip, deep, careful not to draw blood, but hard enough so it hurt. I wanted so badly to tell her, but I couldn't. So I just stared hopelessly into her bewildered eyes.

I sighed, "I wish Bella was here, you're getting too many of my thoughts,"

She looked down again, her shoulders lowered slightly as if disappointed. Maybe she was. Maybe she felt this way too, maybe she loved me but she didn't know how to tell me. Renesmee had a connection with Jacob, she couldn't bear not being with him. Was it like that for her too? Did she want me around? Maybe her heart jumped every time she saw me... Maybe she loved me.

Without thinking I grabbed her hand, and looked deep into her now startled eyes. I needed to tell her- to find out if she felt the same way.

"Lily, the truth is, I'm i-"

"Hey, Pup?" Rosalie shouted from the top of the stairs. I snapped my head up to look at her, furious that my moment had been ruined.

"Care to do that tomorrow? In case you haven't noticed, she's half-human so she sleeps. She's tired. We need to get her to bed," Rosalie tapped her foot impatiently.

Lily looked up at me, hopeful and apologetic.

I let go of her hand and shook my head.

"Rose is right, you need sleep. I'll be here tomorrow," I murmured.

Lily's eyes narrowed and I detected a glimmer of doubt.

"I'll be here," I grinned, "I promise."

She smiled right back.

"Night, Lily," I pulled her into a hug, muttering into her hair. "Sleep well,"

"Goodnight, stranger," She whispered, and pulled back to wink.

My heart stopped beating right then and there. Lord kill me, I can die a happy man.

I watched, still dazed, as Lily ran up the stairs to Rosalie. She turned back to wave, and then disappeared into a room.

I choked slightly, feeling my knees go weak.

Rosalie rolled her eyes at me.

"Go home, mutt, it's been a long day. You need sleep... and a cold shower."

Well, another chapter done.

I hope you enjoyed last chapter, and I hope you enjoyed this one. In fact, I hope you've liked them all so far ^^

I already have other chapters planned out- so keep reading and keep reviewing! As always, thanks so much everyone who's reviewed, you guys really make me feel all fuzzy-warm with happiness! :D A LOT of love to you all!

Hope you had a great Christmas, and I hope the New Year will be good to you all xxxx