This continues on from the last chapter, but starts the next morning. Next chapter will be Charlie's second visit to the Cullen's. Enjoy.
The rising sun was my first hint that our night had come to an end. Our bodies lay entangled on the floor, unintentionally ignoring the pretty white bed for a second time. Light bounced off our skin, throwing rainbows across the wood, dancing beams of early morning sunshine around us. Edward's eyes followed mine to where they glared at the blossoming daytime outside. He chuckled, tightening his arms around me. Though I had wished the night would never end, I had to admit daytime had not come soon enough. Renesmee would be awake soon, and although Alice had promised we would be back before she wakes up, I did not know whether last nights...activities...had been factored into the equation.
Edward felt my body tense as my mind raced through the horrifying possibilities of what our daughter would look like today. I didn't want to waste any minute that she was awake. Like yesterday, I sprung up, looking back to Edward, then to the house where my beautiful daughter was. Edward's lips were at my ear, his arms twisting around my waist. His breath made it even harder to go get dressed where it brushed against my skin.
"We still have tonight...and tomorrow night...and the night after that..." Edward murmured, gently trying to pull me towards the horrendous closet Alice had felt the need to install. I sighed, knowing the sooner we get dressed, the sooner I can see Renesmee. I felt Edward's lips against my hair, and then his arms disappear as he headed into the closet. By the time I reached the double doors, he was already dressed, looking more angel than man in a pale grey shirt that clung to his sculpted chest.
I tried to do what Edward had yesterday, remembering the scents of denim and cotton. I followed my nose to the built in drawers hidden between rows of satin gown bags along the back wall, smiling a huge beam when I found a pair of knee-length shorts. Finding a top was a lot harder. After the first three bags that I opened contained clothing that in no way reflected anything I would have ever dreamed of wearing, I gave up, growling to myself. Edward laughed, following his nose to a high bar travelling across the left wall of the closet. He tossed me a top similar to the one I had worn yesterday, this one a deep blue colour. I sniffed it, making sure this was a scent I would get used to.
I dressed quickly, anxious by the rising sun. Shoes were impossible; the only ones Alice had supplied were strappy little heels. Though I had no issues with balance anymore, it did seem slightly impractical to be running through trees and leaping over rivers in stilettos'. We took off running through the forest, Edward mistaking my racing for competition, and shooting ahead of me. Growling compulsively, I took off after him. Though I made an early leap across the river, we landed at the same time.
As I entered the main room, I could distinctly smell the unpleasant werewolf odour. My nose wrinkled up. Great. Jacob was still here. I tried to remember all the sacrifices he had made, keeping me, and the rest of my family alive. Rosalie was the first to look up, smiling at the revolted expression on my face, then glaring at Jacob, snoring loudly as he sprawled across the couch. As always, when Jacob was sleeping he reminded me of a younger version of himself. My eyes wheeled around the room for Renesmee, finally finding her sleeping, to my surprise, in Jasper's arms, where he sat on the chair beside where Jacob slept, angling it away from my snoring best friend. I ran to her immediately, shoving Jacob's legs out of the way a bit so I could sit down. Might as well practice acting human, knowing I would be seeing a lot of Charlie. Jasper handed Renesmee to me at the same time that Jacob woke, stretching loudly.
"Hey," Jacob said sleepily, still managing to sound cheerful, "Bella's back." Though he was talking to me, his arms reached out for Renesmee. My glare must have caused him to withdraw his expectant arms.
"No way." I stated, trying not to get angry. "I just got her." Jacob groaned, but agreed, sitting as close to me as he would sit to any of his werewolf brothers. That comforted me. He must see me as just Bella, ignoring the fact that he was as repulsed my scent as I was by his. Or maybe he just wanted to stay close to Renesmee, still not trusting the newborn. I preferred not to dwell on that second reason. I hadn't noticed that not everyone was in the room until I heard Alice's complaining from the top of the stairs.
"Really Bella!" She moaned, her eyes fixed on my outfit, "I am seriously considering going round to your closet and only leaving the things that you should be wearing!"
"If the place hasn't already been destroyed," Emmett added, smirking. Edward and I hissed at him in harmony. We had a deal! I was instantly reminded of Charlie's promise to visit again today. The thought brought the burn back to my throat, but I knew I was under control. Well, under enough control not to kill my own father. My pondering was interrupted by a squirm in my arms, followed by a small yawn which had everyone's eyes fixed on the beauty I held on my lap.
Renesmee's eyes slowly opened, looking around, slightly confused, before giving me a breathtaking smile. I wasn't the only one who smiled back; every face in the room flashed dazzling smiles at her. Of course, Jacob had to ruin the moment, reaching his arms out for her again. Renesmee reached for him too. I sighed, surrendering her. This imprinting business was going to get old. Fast.
I hadn't noticed Edward had disappeared, until he returned, carrying that strong metal cup again. Even having hunted yesterday, I knew I wasn't strong enough to feed her, even if she was in my arms, not Jacob's. I watched, my eyes bugging slightly in surprise as Jacob willingly handed Renesmee off to Edward to be fed. As much as I wanted her back in my arms, I couldn't deny the beauty of the relationship between Edward and Renesmee.
It was immediately clear that Renesmee loved Edward just as much as she loved Jacob and I. She had her tiny little hand placed against his neck, showing, despite not needing too through her gift, her thoughts. I went to stand next to them automatically, holding my breath as much as possible, resisting the tempting aroma coming from the cup Renesmee sipped so impatiently at. Jacob was the first to break the comfortable silence, coming to stand next to Edward, Renesmee and I. He truly seemed to have no aversion to standing so close to us.
"So, when's Charlie coming?" He asked cautiously, understanding the physical pain inflicted with my father's visit. Renesmee reached across from Edward, pressing her hand against my cheek. An image of Charlie flashed into my head, Renesmee's eyes curious. I could tell she was looking forward to his visit, as uncomfortable as it may also be for her. It was Alice who answered, her voice casual, calm, trying to keep me from panicking, I guessed.
"He will be coming in about half an hour. Sue Clearwater's coming as well, to see Seth, I presume." My throat burned. Charlie on his own was hard enough to resist. I couldn't-and didn't want to-imagine the scorching pain two humans-filled with irresistible blood-could cause. Edward hugged my shoulders reassuringly, Renesmee managing to appear sympathetic through the seriousness of her eyes.
"Well, I better go drag the kid out of bed then if Sue's coming to see him," Jacob said, heading towards the back door, "I guess I probably should tell Leah as well, as useless as it may be," he muttered, to himself this time. Alice danced over to where Jacob had previously stood next to Edward, flipping another small white box in the air. I caught it instinctively, stuffing it in my pockets. I would leave it to the last minute to put these uncomfortable contacts in.
Like the flick of a switch, everyone relaxed into their human activities, trying to set up a normal, human atmosphere for Charlie. The TV was on a sports channel, the remote held by a smug Emmett. Rosalie, catching my glare towards her diabolical sometimes-husband, snatched the remote off him, changing to a news station. I smiled at her, grateful. Carlisle and Esme took their places on the couch in front of where Emmett and Rosalie sat on the floor, pretending to watch the news, too. Alice and Jasper lounged out at the bottom of the stairs, flipping through a fashion magazine- obviously Alice's idea. I took Edward's hand, towing him towards the free loveseat. After a few seconds, everyone started breaking off into their own conversations.
Edward stared down seriously like Renesmee. She looked back in understanding, pressing her hand against his cheek, to which he nodded. I noticed that her hair was another third of an inch longer than yesterday, her body again a bit slimmer and longer. I prayed that Charlie wouldn't notice the difference. After all, how much change could I put him through?
Jacob barged through the doors a second later, Seth close on his heels, his happy, childish face lighting up the room immediately. It was hard not to be happy around Seth. Alice's glower had them retreating into the corner silently. On the way, Seth punched Edward in the shoulder in friendship, giving me a small hug. Jacob didn't even bother holding his arms out for Renesmee, though I could tell he wanted her. I gave him a small apologetic smile.
It was obvious what everyone was trying to do-set up a calm atmosphere. I could feel my nerves growing by the second, even with Edward's arm around my waist rubbing comforting circles on the small of my back. I leaned into him, using the steady beat of Renesmee's heartbeat to calm myself as I took her into my arms.
What seemed like an eternity later, I could hear the distinct sound of tires turning off the highway and onto the Cullen's drive.
Although the next few chapters will span over a couple of days, I will also write a series of oneshots which occur during Bella's first three months as a vampire, such as Renesmee's first words and Quil and Embry joinging Jacob's pack, as well as just a few pieces of Edward/Bella fluff.
Please feel free to send me any requests for this story, or any others. I would really like to know if someone has a certain incident that occured during Bella's first three vampire months that they would like me to include (does not have to include Bella, however).