Chapter 19: Walks and Talks

~Bella~

As I sat beneath the giant umbrella resting against the soft quilt spread out over the white sand, I watched Edward holding our baby out in front of him so that the warm waves of the ocean would wash over her feet. It was so peaceful here on the island and there was little to do other than to just enjoy the time spent together as a family. It had been a week since we arrived and with just the two of us and Renesmee, Edward and I had been able to talk and discuss a few things, mostly our fears over what had happened to our home and about our future. All of that seemed so far away and it was very easy just to pretend like nothing bad had ever taken place.

Needing to be with my husband and baby, I stretched out before standing and made my way down the beach. Edward was sitting in the wet sand with Renesmee out in front of him. Our baby was enjoying kicking her feet at the water as it came up to them. She seemed calmer now that we were here and it had been a few days since she had really cried about anything. As I sat down next to them Edward put his cool arm around me and that didn't bother me. It was so warm here that the touch of his skin was hardly noticeable.

"What would you like to do?" Edward asked as Renesmee splashed her hands at the incoming surf.

"I think just sit here with the two of you," I answered reaching out to pull the thin strap of Renesmee's bathing suit back over her left shoulder. "I kind of wish there was a way you could just hunt here on the Island," I said unafraid to tell Edward what I was thinking. Something I had noticed since arriving here was how much more open both of us were. Edward told me how difficult it was for him to even think about leaving us to hunt, and we were kind of working our way through our fears.

"It will only be a night, long enough for me to get my fill and to get what Renesmee will need." Keeping one arm around our baby he turned to look at me. "You and Renesmee could always came inland with me. It wouldn't be hard for me to make a call and reserve a room at the Sheratan. Alice says we are do for some gloomy weather starting tomorrow so being inland might be a nice sort of change."

Renesmee turned around watching me a moment before she reached out her small arms. I smiled at her as I lifted her up letting her stand in the water in front of me. "Do you think we need a change?" I asked her, getting a smile and a laugh as she plopped down on her bottom to splash water at me. Edward and I joined in and we all laughed. Going inland might not be so bad and it would mean less time away from the man that I loved.

After taking a dip in the ocean we headed back for the house. Renesmee held on to her father's hands as she walked in front of him up the beach, and when she got too tired Edward carried her the rest of the way. While my love took our daughter to the blue room to get her into something dry I piddled around in the kitchen making something to eat for me and Renesmee. Over the past few days I had noticed how much she had been chewing on her fingers and was fairly sure she was getting a tooth, one of the bottom front ones. For that reason I was kind of glad we were going back with Edward.

"I think I may end up getting formula," I told him as he sat down at the table with our daughter on his lap. He expertly fastened a bib around her neck before he got her small spoon scooping out a bite of apples for her to eat.

I sat down next to them and took a small bite of my sandwich feeling bad about having to resort to the formula after all this time. In all honesty it was time to try something new. Renesmee really only nursed at night before bed and sometimes before her naps and when she woke up.

"You feel guilty don't you?"

"A little, but I'm not prepared to receive a bite once that tooth comes through, and I think she's ready for a change anyway. If she doesn't like it I'll try pumping some."

Renesmee ate a bite of peas and made a face before spitting most of it out. The green foods like peas, and beans were ones she didn't particularly like, and it sometimes took a few tries before she would finally swallow it. When she spit out the second bite Edward gave up for the moment and fed her more apples. "Now might be a good time to try that. I've noticed how relaxed she has been," my husband observed as he tried the peas one more time. When our daughter began to fuss Edward slid the jar away and got her sippy helping her hold that while she drank from it.

"She's tired," I said as Renesmee rubbed her eyes while continuing to drink the blood Edward had collected before we came to the island.

"I think the sun and the water contributed to that," Edward answered gently rocking our little girl. As if to prove that transitioning her to formula and the other part of her diet wouldn't be a problem, our baby was soon asleep in my husband's arms and didn't move when he took her to her room and put her down in the ornate crib.

While I was cleaning my dish and the two bowls Edward had used to feed our daughter, my husband's strong arm snaked around my middle. I tilted my head to the left trying to focus on rinsing the dish I had as Edward's cool lips moved against my neck. When I realized that Edward's kisses had me effectively distracted I shut off the water and spun around opening my mouth the moment his lips were pressed firmly against mine. I'd lost count of how many times we would end up in each others arms, and didn't really care as my husband lifted me off the floor.

We ended up in our own room and as my body began to cool while my heart beat began to slow down, Edward pulled the blankets and sheets over our bodies. "I'm glad Renesmee likes her long afternoon naps," I whispered feeling Edward's hand running up and down my back. I wanted to do more but I was tired in need of a rest.

At some point while I slept, Edward left our bed. I listened for our baby, and not hearing any cries I remained where I was.

~Edward~

The next morning before either of my girls began to stir, Alice's prediction of the weather became a reality. A steady rain beat against the roof top creating a lulling effect for even me as I lay watching my wife while she slept. The sudden cry from Renesmee's room drew me away from my love, and I quickly made it to her as she sat up crying harder. "Shh," I whispered lifting her out of the crib. Normally holding Renesmee was all it took to settled her, but at the moment her cries continued. I swayed with her checking her diaper which was dry.

Recalling what Bella said yesterday about the tooth, I gently rubbed my index finger along her bottom gum and felt the swelling there as Renesmee bit down before crying harder. In the family room I found my phone and pressed the speed dial for Carlisle while I began to waltz with my daughter in my arms. Renesmee was quieting down but had both fingers in her mouth.

"Good morning, Carlisle," I greeted as my daughter turned her head to watch me.

"We are all doing much better. I was calling because it seems like Renesmee is getting a tooth in. She's not running a fever but she's not comfortable either. I was hoping maybe we could give her some Motrin."

Carlisle told me that using the Motrin wouldn't hurt her but also suggested something topical for the immediate pain. "Do you know when you and Bella will be returning. We all miss you," Carlisle said. I knew that they did, and I missed them too.

"Maybe a few more weeks here and some time in Forks with Charlie. Bella wants to sit out the rest of the semester. Let us know if we need to return earlier."

As I ended the conversation with Carlisle, Bella came out of our room and Renesmee upon seeing her mother began reaching for her, leaning out of my arms.

"I heard her crying," Bella said as she reached out for our baby.

"I think you were right about that tooth. Her gums are swollen and when she bit down on my finger it was evident that she was in pain." Bella carried her over to the sofa and sat down cradling Renesmee in her left arm letting her nurse. "Are you ready for something to eat?"

"Not yet. It's really coming down," Bella said of the rain.

I sat down beside my wife and daughter and eased my arms around both of them,. "Alice said it would be like this until mid afternoon before it clears up enough for us to get into Rio. Do you still want to go?"

"Yes. Do you think we will be able to walk around the city?" My wife sounded excited and I was anxious to let her see the sites of Rio.

"I see that as a strong possibility," I answered.

After breakfast, Bella had a shower while I got Renesmee settled down on the floor with some of her toys. She kept one finger in her mouth while she tried stacking a bunch of colorful blocks into one straight tower. With Renesmee occupied I started to pack for our journey inland making sure I had enough blood to last my baby until after I hunted. As I was zipping up the lined bag, Renesmee toddled over to me and I caught her before she took a tumble to the floor.

The moment I had her in my arms, she touched my cheek and I was suddenly seeing something that wasn't my own thoughts. The image in my mind was fuzzy and fleeting but it was Bella. When I was able to comprehend what happened I carried Renesmee over to the sofa and sat down holding her on my lap facing me as we looked at one another. "Momma?" I questioned.

My daughter smiled bouncing on my lap before she reached her hand up again. Once it was against my cheek I saw another fuzzy image of my wife.

"She's having a bath," I said wondering just how much Renesmee realized about what was going on.

After another big smile she wanted down and once on the floor she went back to playing with her building blocks leaving me to try and figure out what had just taken place. I was still trying to do that when Bella sat next to us.

"Edward?"

"She showed me you, or what you look like in her mind," I said facing my wife.

"Showed you?" Bella didn't understand and before I could explain Renesmee was pulling herself up using the skirt Bella was wearing to hold on.

Once she was in Bella's arms, Renesmee reached out and put her hand on my wife's cheek. I was able to see what she was showing Bella which in this case was another image quick and fuzzy of the ocean.

"How did she do that?" Bella whispered hugging our daughter close.

"I'm not sure," I admitted trying to figure out my ability. It was an extra ability like my reading minds and Alice seeing the future. Once we got over the initial shock we both realized that we would be able to understand our daughter a little better, if she continued to use this ability.

~*~

When we arrived in Rio, Bella helped me get our baby settled in the pack carrier that I had strapped on to my back, and being so high up, Renesmee didn't mind the crowds of people as we made our way through the busy city streets. Bella and I talked about what had happened with our daughter before we left and my wife seemed a little worried. I knew she still remembered the dreams she had while carrying our daughter, but Bella admitted that nothing in them had come to pass with the exception of this newest gift our daughter was showing us.

"I wonder if she will talk, now that she can use that," Bella said as we continued our walk.

"We will have to be sure to read to her and try and encourage her to use words as well," I answered understanding what my wife was talking about. This ability could present a problem if we weren't careful. "Come on," I said pulling her with me as we rounded a corner on some tall buildings finding a little street fair taking place.

"I think she likes that carrier," Bella said as I felt our daughter bouncing. We came up to a vender selling colorful skirts. Bella looked at a few that would fit Renesmee and seemed to be having a good time. It was good to see her confidence returning in light of this new development.

"What do you think?" Bella asked holding up a small skirt white in color with brightly colored flowers all over.

"I think you should find one like that but in your size," I told her as Renesmee pulled on my hair continuing to bounce a little and kick her legs.

"Alice would be pleased that I wasn't wearing slacks," Bella said smiling as she turned to the vender holding the skirt up. The woman spoke English fairly well and Bella got her to go down on the price purchasing another that would fit her.

For the next hour we walked around the street fair and that was all the time our daughter was willing to give before she began to fuss and cry. When her cries grew in length and loudness I knelt down letting Bella get her out.

"She needs a clean diaper," Bella said over Renesmee's cries.

I led them to a spot where we could catch a Taxi while Bella got into the diaper bag pulling out a bottle of expressed milk. Once Renesmee had that she calmed down resting in her mothers arms while I got a taxi for us.

By evening it was obvious that her tooth was bothering her. Renesmee fussed constantly and had pitched a fit when we gave her that first dose of Motrin. So far it didn't seem to be doing much good. I had talked to Esme and she suggested we get a cloth and put some Ice in it letting her chew on that.

It was getting time for me to hunt, and I was struggling as Renesmee began to cry again.

Bella was pacing with her while I ran my hands through my hair. "I can hunt another time," I said as our daughter cried so hard that her face turned red.

"No. You need to hunt and she's going to do this with you here or gone. The sooner you do this the sooner you will be back," Bella said loudly over our daughter's cries.

Before leaving I hugged both of them promising myself that I would get things taken care of so I could lend a hand.

~Bella~

It was times like these when I wished Esme was here. Edward needed to hunt and I knew that. At home when he was away and Renesmee was upset Esme or even Rosalie offered the advise I sometimes needed to get through her more fussy times. I'd talked to Carlisle who agreed I could give her a little more Motrin, something which made Renesmee more angry at me than she already was. When her screaming cries continued I wrapped her in a blanket and carried her out on the balcony overlooking the city. It was drizzling but not hard, and after a few moments of swaying with her in the cooler air, Renesmee began to calm down keeping her fingers in her mouth.

She whimpered once as we walked back into the hotel room. "I'm sorry baby, I wish I could take away your pain," I whispered to her as she laid her cheek against my shoulder. I had already tried some of the topical medicine we had gotten at a local store, and Edward told me that Carlisle was getting some good teething medicine for her for when we got home, but for now she would have to endure not feeling well. I laid her down on the king sized bed before I took off my jeans pulling my shirt off enough to remove my bra before I crawled in next to her. As she began to nurse, Renesmee put her hand on my cheek and what I saw in my mind was Edward's profile. "Daddy has to hunt to get the yummy for your cup," I whispered as I ran my fingers through her long curls. Alice and Rosalie would have fun when we got back.

It didn't take long for her to fall asleep and once she was and I had my shirt back in place I pulled her closer to me shutting my eyes too tired to worry about the lights.

The bed shifting behind me woke me instantly from sleep. Renesmee was still in my arms sound asleep and a moment later Edwards cool body was pressed against my back. "She had a hard time after you left."

"I heard her. It was difficult to stay away but you handled it pretty well."

I felt his lips against my neck ans sighed in contentment.

"Maybe after this week, we should think about heading back. I still want to stay in Forks for a few days so Charlie can see her, but I'm starting to miss home," I admitted. It would be different being in a new house, but I felt stronger, more prepared to deal with what ever life through at us.

~*~

It was pouring when Edward pulled our car in front of Charlie's. Renesmee was content to rest in her seat and had been looking at the window following the streams of water as they flowed down the back of the car. This past week she had been using her touch quite a bit to let us know what she wanted, though sometimes it was difficult to really understand some of the images we got.

As I unstrapped her from her seat Charlie arrived at my door with a huge umbrella. Renesmee gazed up at him before hiding her face against my neck. I was glad Charlie kept the umbrella over us and we both hurried into the house while Edward got our luggage. Once we were inside Renesmee lifted her head away from my shoulder looking around for a moment before leaning away from me. She was ready to explore.

Charlie had gone back outside to help Edward and I followed my baby into the den smiling as she toddled over to the rocking horse. By the time my dad and Edward arrived in the den, I was sitting beside the horse holding my hand against Renesmee's back as she rocked.

"She's getting so big," Charlie said as he sat down in his recliner. Renesmee looked at him briefly before she got back to rocking. My baby had a rocking horse at home, a little fancier than the one she was on, but this was the first time she'd taken interest in playing with one.

"So, how was the Island?" Charlie asked

"Relaxing, just what we needed," I answered as Renesmee let go of the handles wanting down. Once she was steady on her feet she toddled over to a plastic stove, something that hadn't been there the last time we had visited. "I see you did some shopping," I said to my father as I got up and walked over to the sofa sitting down next to my husband.

Charlie rubbed his left hand over the back of his head, "Well you liked yours, but you were a little older," he said watching as Renesmee toddled a few steps before plopping down on her bottom. When she began to fuss Charlie got up and knelt in front of her. "Hey, Renesmee, do you want me to show you what this stove does?" Charlie asked as he lifted her into his arms. A moment later the stove was playing music as it lit up and our daughter laughed wanting to try it on her own.

I leaned into my husbands arms, "Only a few weeks away from being nine months old and she's already the most spoiled baby I know," I said lightly.

For a few minutes we were content to sit on the sofa watching Charlie and Renesmee play. I tried to remember if my dad had played with me that way, not at her age but when I would come for my visits. I'm pretty sure I never made it easy for Charlie to get close to me, and was glad he seemed to be getting a second chance with Renesmee. Sometimes I found myself wondering what it would be like to have another baby, and part of me wished we could try again, but realistically I knew we had to be happy with what we were given.

"You're quiet," Edward whispered rubbing his thumb over the back of my left hand as he held on to it.

"I know. Sometimes I think about what it would be like to have another baby," I said looking at my husband as he took in what I was saying. I had never shared this with him before and Edward's expression was unreadable.

After a few more moments his eyes fell upon my own, "Do you want to try?" He sounded unsure, like he was struggling with some long forgotten fears.

My own heart began to ache and I shook my head, "We lucked out with Renesmee, and I'm not willing to risk changing what we do have," I whispered.

He put his arm around me about to say something when Charlie turned asking us where we had put Renesmee's diaper bag. For now the topic of having more children was put on the back burner and I smiled as Edward got up to get our baby and take care of her messy diaper.

~*~

The next morning after seeing Charlie off, Renesmee and I hugged Edward before he left to hunt, and check on the cottage and the house. Once he was gone, I cradled my daughter in my arms. "Looks like it's just you and me for now." I told her kissing her forehead as she yawned. She had been up since before the sun began to rise and I knew she was sleepy. While holding her cradled against me with one arm, I got out a bottle and the formula and got the mixed it up with a little of my milk before heading up stairs. So far she didn't seem to mind the change, and I was down to nursing her before she went to bed and when she woke up in the morning.

We had just gotten settled in the rocking chair when I heard someone knocking at the door. Renesmee had her eyes closed as she drank from her bottle and I was tempted to let whoever it was keep knocking but finally grew tired of that and carried her downstairs. Looking out through the peep hole, I saw Jessica standing there shifting from one foot to the other. The thing that threw me was the large size of her stomach.

I managed to get the door open and Jessica's eyes fell on Renesmee. "Sorry, mom heard you and Edward were coming in to town, and I thought we could visit," she said softly.

She seemed sad and after letting her in I followed her into the den sitting down in the recliner. My baby kept her eyes shut, and for a second Jessica and I sat in an uncomfortable silence.

"I didn't know you had a baby," Jessica began, and I was grateful that Angela kept her promises. I was fairly certain after today the town would know about my baby, but shook that off as Jessica took in a deep breath.

"Mike and I got a little surprise of our own," she said looking at the floor.

I didn't know what to say to her. We had never really been that close, maybe a little in the beginning but that was about it. "How have you two been handling that?" I finally asked as I set the mostly empty bottle on the small table to my left before lifting my baby against my shoulder. Renesmee snuggled against me and burped after a few pats on the back.

"I'm trying to figure out what to do. Mike accused me of cheating on him, like I would do that to him after being engaged and all," Jessica said looking over at me. "He's coming to grips with it now, and we are putting off the wedding until after the baby comes. I know it's not my business, but well were you two married when you found out about her?"

"Just barely. Renesmee was conceived on our honeymoon, and I had a really hard pregnancy. That's why no one really knew. We also had a few complications after she was born, but she's growing just fine now," I said, feeling bad for Jessica.

Jessica nodded once. "My mother and Mike's mom are getting pretty excited about this. I'm still not sure how I'm going to deal with having a baby. I know it's not easy, not like when I baby sat and could give it back when they parents got home. I'm not sure how Mike will be either. We talked about having kids but that was going to be later after we finished school. I guess you and Edward have good helpers with his family."

"We do, but for the most part we take care of her. This past term I went to college full time and Edward stayed home with Renesmee. He's been able to keep up with some on line courses," I told her, able to come up with ways to cover what I needed.

Jessica nodded, "I don't see Mike doing that, but I guess I could try that myself if he wants to go to school. His mom wants to help us financially and my parents do to but I would feel guilty taking money like that."

We talked for another hour before she left and once she had gone I put Renesmee in the crib upstairs so she could finish out her nap. I felt bad for Jess, and hoped things would work out for her and Mike. I was also thankful that Edward and I had such a supportive family. After I got a shower and changed in to clean clothes I did a little cleaning, thinking about my conversation with Jessica and the one Edward and I had last night after Charlie had gone back to Sue's.

My husband said that he and Carlisle could do more extensive research on half vampire half human children to see if there were any more risks than what I had gone through, but I had quieted him with a kiss telling him the truth, that I already had all I needed.

Around noon, Charlie came home for lunch. I was in the process of getting Renesmee in the highchair he had set up in the kitchen and smiled as my dad took over. Edward called and promised he wouldn't be much longer.

"Jessica came by for a visit," I told my father as I put a bib on my baby. Renesmee fussed until Charlie got the bite of carrots in her mouth. While he fed her I got out a banana and cut it into small pieces putting them in a small bowl along with some Cheerios.

Once she saw those, Renesmee went to town squeezing the pieces of banana in her hand before she would push it into her mouth.

"I know she and Mike are expecting," Charlie said as he managed to get a bite of carrots into my daughter's mouth before Renesmee could stuff more banana in there.

"She seemed pretty shaken up. I can sort of sympathize," I mumbled as I sat down at the table with my own lunch. Charlie's was waiting for him when ever he finished with the baby.

"I remember what it was like when Renee told me you were coming. I'd never been so scared in all my life." he admitted as he set the empty jar of carrots aside opening a jar of spinach.

Renesmee was drinking from her sippy but put it down when Charlie offered her the spoon. For some strange reason spinach was something she liked, and I didn't know why because it looked like algae, and smelled just as appealing.

In the midst of being fed Renesmee grunted and tooted at the same time. My father was ready to take care of that but I made him sit down and eat his own food.

Upstairs I had just laid Renesmee down on the dressing table when she laughed looking at the door. "There's daddy," I said kissing my husband before letting him take over.

"Charlie said you had company," Edward said as he began to wipe the mess from our daughter's front end.

"Jessica. She's worried about her future with Mike."

Edward nodded as he got a second wipe holding our baby still as he got her cleaned up. Once she was clean Renesmee was ready to play and after getting her settled in the living room with Grandpa Edward and I took a short walk outside. "I feel bad for her, but it was a little strange talking to her. I get the impression that she doesn't have that many friends," I told him thinking of her circle in high school.

"She was never really true to anyone she spoke to. Her words said one thing while her thoughts were completely different."

We walked to the end of Charlie's street turning to go back to the house when Edward stiffened for a moment. When he relaxed I followed his gaze seeing Jacob coming out of the woods. It had been forever since I had talked with him and as he approached us, something about him seemed different.

"Hey, Jake," I finally greeted.

"Hey, Bells."

I watched him and my husband. Edward nodded before giving me a kiss on the lips, "Jacob wants to talk to you alone."

"Okay," I said wondering why. Once Edward was out of sight, I turned to face my friend, "What's going on, Jake?"

He shifted from one bare foot to the other, "Well I have something to tell you but I'm not sure how you will take it."

"Just say it," I tried, feeling slightly worried.

He looked up at me, "I met someone, and imprinted. It happened a few days ago so that's why I didn't tell you."

I felt sudden shock and couldn't find my words. I was relieved and happy for him but at the same time there was a phantom pain in my heart maybe left from those days when I couldn't choose between Edward and Jacob. "I'm happy for you. Who is she?"

"Her name is Anna. She goes to school on the rez. She's thirteen, and is getting used to all of this just like me."

We began to walk and I listened as Jake talked about her. As we walked, I noticed the bounce in his step and felt warmed by that in a way. I was glad he had someone, I had always felt like he was still holding out for me in some way. After he had gone, I walked to the porch and sat down on the second step digesting what Jake had told me. There was a lot of change going on in his life. He had broken away from the original pack and Leah and Seth were now with him, Jake being their Alpha. It was like my old dreams but different in a way.

I smiled as Edward came and sat next to me noticing that Renesmee wasn't with him, "Charlie is reading to her from one of the new books he bought."

"I'm glad Jake finally found someone. I always felt like he still had hope for me and him."

"In some respects he did, but he's really happy now and things seem to be going pretty good."

I took in a deep breath and let it go,. "I think it's time to go home. I know our house won't be ready for another few weeks but I miss our family."

Once Charlie was gone, heading back to the station we took another walk with Renesmee discussing when we wanted to leave and just enjoying time with one another. Going home would be a little hard, but I was ready to face anything as long as Edward was there with me.

~*~

AN: Another one down and many more to go. I hope you liked this edition. I wanted something different with Jacob since I'm going with different anyway and hope those of you who love Jake and Nessie don't flog me for what i did. I can always have things happen later, if need be. Thank you all for all the great reviews and for the adds those always make my day. More soon

~Ella~