Disclaimer: Twilight is the creation and property of Stephenie Meyer. This fanfiction is nothing more than an homage to her series of books, which most of us wish never had to end. Any references to plot devices/characters/etc. used in Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, or the draft of Midnight Sun belong exclusively to Stephenie Meyer.
Author's Note: Thank you to Kyrou, bluerox123, AntiRebel, polyphany, Tina101, LizzieAliceCullen, SilverStorm06 for their kind reviews. I noticed some questions about Jacob and location. I'll try to answer those in this chapter.
Bella felt the tears frozen behind her eyelids, never falling. Edward opened the door of the car for her and she slid in. Charlie had known this day was coming, she reminded herself. No need to drag it out. Inside the Volvo, the rain sounded muffled, distant.
Edward stared straight ahead, the frown on his face, stony and cold. He would always dislike this sort of farewell. It smelled distinctly of the mortal coil, something Edward wished desperately his family could experience. Living, dying, breathing, crying, dreaming – all impossible. He knew that Bella, even four years later, felt the tug of the living here in Forks where so many of her human memories and friends still lingered. That will change, he thought sadly. A few decades and they would all be swept away, by death, by change, by sickness. In a hundred years the world Bella had known would be gone and there would be nothing but the sickening realization that the only thing that would never change…was them. He felt Bella's fingers wind around his own and his mind was stilled. It was enough.
The rain fell in sheets and Bella eyes adjusted to move between the raindrops, to watch her father and daughter standing in the doorway. Bella watched Renesmee and Charlie, noted the salt-stained patches across her cheeks, heard the tightening of his throat as he cleared and uncleared it. She turned her eyes away in pain, and heard the bristling of Charlie's beard as he kissed his granddaughter's face and the soft, musical, "Good-bye, Grandpa" before Renesmee's footsteps took her back down the path to the car.
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Renesmee shifted in the backseat, uncomfortably. It had been nearly four hours of driving and she felt a deep need for what her mother referred to as a "human moment." Before she had time to announce this, Edward had steered the car into a rest stop lot and was opening her door for her.
"Sometimes it really freaks me out when you do that," Renesmee muttered. "Bloodsuckers."
Edward froze, "Excuse me?"
Renesmee felt her face heat up, "Uh…I didn't…I'm sorry I was just…I'm…"
"You've been spending far too much time with Jacob."
Before she could respond, a sports car and jeep pulled up next to them and Alice hopped out, commenting brightly, "I knew Nessie was going to need to stop but my clock must have been off. It looked like we had at least another half hour."
"I have the weirdest family." Renesmee sighed and trudged up the path towards the restrooms.
"And don't you forget it!" Emmett shouted, leaning against the passenger door of the jeep. Rosalie shoved him and ducked back into the car.
Bella and Edward exchanged glances.
"I guess this is the part of parenting where she thinks we're really embarrassing and doesn't want to be seen with us," Bella suggested.
"Ah, yes. That part," Edward looked disturbed.
"I'm pretty sure I went through something similar. I dimly remember a black eyeliner, Avril Lavigne month in 9th grade."
"I hope that's all this is." Edward eyed his sister thoughtfully.
Don't look at me, Alice thought. You know I can't see her or the wolf.
I know. Just the wishful thinking of a father, I suppose.
Well, cut it out. You're making me feel guilty.
Edward laughed and tucked Bella and Alice each under an arm. "It's going to be alright," he said in what he hoped was a very confident voice. "She's going to be alright."
Bella pursed her lips, "Do you think Astoria, Oregon, population 9700, is ready for a family of vampires to move in?"
"Doubtful." Alice's eyes were distant, "Though I don't see any pitchforks and torches in our near future." Then her face grew confused, "Well, actually…I don't see much of anything all of a sudden."
Edward growled as a red Volkswagen Rabbit struggled off the highway exit ramp. "I thought he said he wasn't coming until next week!" Emmett protested.
"He changed his mind," Edward sighed. "He can't be that far away from her."
Bella smiled and pulled at a small curl of Edward's hair, "Can you blame him?"
"I can certainly try."
"Jacob!" a high-voice screeched as Renesmee bolted across the parking lot and threw herself into huge, muscular arms.
Jacob responded by burying his face in her hair and laughing a deep, throaty laugh, "How's my Nessie?" He put her down immediately and examined her completely, turning her around and looking deeply into her face. "Not a scratch I can see. Haven't inherited your mother's tendencies."
"Human tendencies!" Bella argued.
Jacob waved her away with a hand. "Miss me?" he grinned down into Renesmee's face.
"You have to ask that? This has been the most boring car ride of my life!"
"Yeah? Wanna ride with me the rest of the way?"
"Jacob," Edward warned.
"Aww, c'mon, Edward! Let her come with me! I'll keep her safe."
"Please, Dad?"
"Yeah, please, Dad?" Jacob's brown eyes twinkled.
Edward's eyes were dark with disapproval. "Jacob, we've discussed this. She's not…"
Bella put one hand on Edward's arm.
Renesmee looked embarrassed. "Dad, chill. I'll be in the car right behind you."
There was a weary sigh and Renesmee squealed in delight as she sprinted for Jacob's car. Jacob turned to follow her but a steely cough stopped him.
"I don't think I have to remind you what I'll do to you if anything happens to her."
"We're not going to do anything but drive."
"That's right. You're not going to do anything." Edward felt the calm leave his body. "You're not going to do a single damn thing."
Bella stepped between them. "Edward, Jacob has always been very trustworthy!"
"I know my boundaries," Jacob snarled.
"I hope so."
Jacob rolled his eyes and wheeled around to walk towards the Volkswagen.
"Oh, and dog?"
Jacob paused.
"I'm not your 'dad.'"
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Author's note: Review and let me know what you think. Thanks for all your comments thus far!