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. I quote Pablo Neruda at the beginning of this chapter but I do not own his works. No copyright infringement is intended. This is a fan-created story.

Author's Note: Thanks to aPPle-FrrEAk, YuYuSNluv, Hollibell, Sabs7, polyphany, odwala, sasunaru-lover1029, LizzieAliceCullen, NessieandJake4ver, RachelleM, and Jane Woods.

So according to , at least 109 people visited my story since I updated Chapter 7. Obviously, not all of those people read the story and/or obviously not all of those people reviewed it. If you read the chapter, please leave a review. Let's try a little bribery. I will update again after 15 more reviews. And for those of you who think I'm shameless…you're absolutely right. Thanks for reading, guys! Let me know what you think, what you hope happens or doesn't, etc., etc. PS: If you want me to review any of your stories, leave a note in your review.

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"I do not love you except because I love you;
I go from loving to not loving you,
From waiting to not waiting for you
My heart moves from cold to fire.

I love you only because it's you the one I love;
I hate you deeply, and hating you
Bend to you, and the measure of my changing love for you
Is that I do not see you but love you blindly…

In this part of the story I am the one who
Dies, the only one, and I will die of love because I love you,
Because I love you, Love, in fire and blood."

-Pablo Neruda

To Renesmee's great surprise, her family made little comment on Ed or anything surrounding him. Emmett winked at her a few times and made funny noises when she and Ed walked together in the hallways and Rosalie gave her a confused smile occasionally. Her parents were silent on the matter, however - her mother's eternally youthful face a little worried now and then, her father's, grim but gentle.

And so the week passed and another, and Renesmee found herself falling into a tedious but pleasant routine that seemed to revolve around high school and Ed. Jacob had left to visit his father in Forks and was not expected back soon. Strangely, Renesmee didn't feel the usual stab of his absence. More and more, she felt drawn into the human world by Ed.

"Hey, do you think your family would mind if you sat with me and some of my buddies today?"

"Oh, I'm sure they wouldn't," Renesmee lied, not making eye contact with Jasper who had joined them for the plant dissection.

"Cool beans," Ed grinned.

"Cool beans?" Emmett had muttered once when he heard Ed say this. "What the hell does that mean?"

Renesmee tried not to imagine her parents' eyes boring holes into her back as she walked to the opposite end of the cafeteria, her tray full of potato chips and pretzels, the only food she had learned to tolerate at school.

"What's up?" Ed jerked his chin towards the three boys already sitting at the table. "Guys, this is Renesmee. Renesmee, this is Josh, Greg, and Wayne."

"Hi," she said, self-consciously.

The three stared back at her.

"Hi," the one called Wayne said with a half-smile. "Nice to finally meet you, Renesmee."

"What do you mean finally?" she frowned, confused.

"You just moved here from Washington, right?" Greg prodded.

"Oh, they just mean I've been talking about you a lot. I've kind of got a big mouth," Ed looked embarrassed.

"Oh," she smiled, blushing. He'd been talking about her?

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Across the cafeteria, Edward was listening intently, straining to pick out the thoughts of the teenage boys surrounding his daughter. He found this particular task unappealing and distasteful. He had thought he was prepared for the unhealthy and inappropriate minds that might dwell on Renesmee. He regretted his own assumption very quickly.

Beside him, Bella and Alice were bent in hushed conversation.

"I don't know when he's coming home, Alice. He didn't say."

"This is not going to turn out well. I don't have to be clairvoyant to see that."

"Look, of course I know that Jacob adores Renesmee but I don't think that…"

"If it were anyone else, I'd agree with you. But it's not just Jacob in love with Renesmee. It's a werewolf in love with Renesmee! Bella, I'm telling you, if Jacob comes home and finds Nessie with that boy, he'll kill him."

Bella, who had not felt the cold in four immortal years, shivered slightly. She heard a straining noise and turned quickly to her husband, "Edward?"

The lustful thoughts of Renesmee, the pornographic images, the utter lewdness of the male minds whirling around the room coursed through Edward's head and he was overcome for a moment with an intense, uncontrollable need to vomit. His fists clenched and the table groaned at the force as he steeled himself, pushing down fiery rapids of anger building and bruising his insides. The sheer weight of control made him seem paler even than normal in the harsh fluorescent light of the cafeteria.

"What's wrong?" Bella asked, laying a white porcelain hand on his shoulder.

Edward did not respond but continued to stare across the room at the crowd around Renesmee. Bella followed his gaze.

"Alice is right," he whispered with some effort. "It's time Renesmee knew the truth."

………………………………………………………………………………………………"Okay, Dad, I really gotta go," Jacob said, for what felt like the millionth time, car keys in hand, feet itching for the door. He pressed his calloused thumbs against the rubber key ring again.

"You can't stay and have supper me?" Billy sulked. "You come all this way and then I hardly see you. You're off with Sam and the others so much; it's like you didn't come to visit me, at all."

"I know, Dad. I'm sorry but I can't…I have to go," Jacob said, pained.

Billy studied his son's dark, handsome features for a moment, "It's killing you, isn't it? To be away from her."

Jacob could feel the beginnings of panic forming in his throat, but he tried to keep his face smooth as he replied, "I just don't think it's good for me to be gone for so long. She—they might need me."

His father chuckled, "They might." Another silence. "Alright, then, go. Go on. Go and leave your old man here to eat his tv dinner alone."

Jacob's body relaxed in relief and with a quick squeeze of Billy's shoulder, he tore out the front door. "Bye, Dad, thanks!"

Ten minutes later he was on the interstate, speeding towards the only home he cared about anymore…Renesmee. As he pictured her – rosy blush spread in smiles over soft, creamy pale skin, hair flowing around her sweet face, her dark eyes sparkling at him, her blindingly white teeth glinting sharply as she opened her mouth to speak, Jacob realized he was holding his breath. He shook his head in frustration and pressed down on the gas pedal.

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The Cullen house had fallen into their typical evening repose. Esme stood near the window, a paintbrush poised in her hand as she stared contemplatively at the easel before her. Rosalie and Emmett had left to hunt. Alice and Jasper sat, engrossed in a puzzle. The gentle melody of Chopin's Tristesse echoed throughout the entire house. Bella was beside Edward on the long bench as his fingers ran deftly across the piano keys, her still, slender form leaning against him, dark brown tresses spilling over them both. The casual passerby chancing to peer in the window might have mistaken the large front parlor for a small wax museum.

Edward's playing broke off suddenly, "Someone's coming."

"Jacob?" Esme asked.

Edward shook his head, "No. It's Ed."

Carlisle had heard the conversation from his upstairs study and entered the front room then, his face relaxed but strained, "Well, then, we should endeavor to make our guest comfortable. Jasper, would you be so kind as to start a fire? I imagine it's a bit drafty in here."

Esme had already drifted into the seldom used kitchen. "I'll make some tea," she announced sweetly.

The doorbell rang then, an unfamiliar sound.

"I'll get it!" Renesmee called, bounding down the stairs, two a time.

"Renesmee, wait…" Edward stood.

Renesmee swung the door wide, "Ed! Come on in!"

"Hey, thanks! Wow," Ed said, stepping into the hallway, "This place is huge!"

"Yes, it can be rather daunting, I'm afraid," Carlisle came forward, hand extended. "You must be Ed. I'm Carlisle, Renesmee's guardian. I believe you've already met her brothers and sisters. And this…" he motioned towards Esme who had entered with a tray of tea and cookies, "Is my wife, Esme."

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Cullen. When Renesmee told me you had invited me over, I was really honored. It's very nice of you."

Looks were exchanged among all of the vampires then.

Carlisle smiled the reassuring smile he had for patients and motioned for Ed to take a seat on one of the plush white couches stretching the length of the room, "Please, make yourself comfortable."

"Would you care for some tea, Ed?" Esme asked, pouring a cup.

"Oh, sure. That'd be great. Thanks!" Ed sat, Renesmee sitting next to him. Esme handed her a steaming mug. Renesmee winced at the idea of drinking it but knew it would look strange if Ed were the only one consuming food and drink.

"So Renesmee tells us you are her lab partner in Biology. Do you enjoy science?" Carlisle settled into an overstuffed armchair, his hands folded neatly in his lap.

"I do! I mean, I prefer history but science is interesting. I've heard a lot about you, Dr. Cullen. Sounds like you're making some great improvements over at the hospital."

"Well, I will certainly do my best to serve the community. Astoria is a wonderful place to work."

"It sure is," Ed nodded, his eyes travelling the length of the room.

There was the small sound of the back door being opened, "Jasper! Jasper? Edward, you guys should have come with us! The biggest mountain lion I've ever seen, I swear! This thing could have taken you on!" Emmett appeared in the doorway, panting from exertion. The grin on his face vanished and was replaced with alarm as he caught sight of Ed sitting in the living room with the rest of the Cullen family.

Renesmee's eyes widened as she made eye contact with Rosalie.

"And…when I say take you on, I mean, it could have killed you! Because…it was a lion…and…you're…not a lion. So…good thing you didn't go out there. Way to be…safe and stuff."

"Perhaps you and Rosalie should stay closer to home on your hikes," Carlisle suggested gently. "We wouldn't want anyone to be hurt."

"I'm sorry," Emmett responded, sheepishly. "I should have been more careful."

"Well, these things can't always be anticipated. Something to consider for the future, I suppose."

The double entendre of their conversation was not lost on Renesmee who scowled fiercely at Emmett and turned back to Ed.

"So…what do you know about this house being haunted?" she asked quickly, in an effort to change the subject.

"Oh, well, it's just a story…"

"Haunted, you say?" Carlisle looked interested.

"Yeah, the gardens actually, closer to the water. They say that spirits still wander there, calling out the names of their loved ones."

"Down by the water?" Renesmee stood up. "Wanna show me?"

"Well, sure. If you want."

On the bench beside her, Bella felt Edward stiffen.

"Renesmee…" Edward said quietly.

"Yeah?"

"Did you ask Dad if that was okay?" he asked, his face full of meaning.

Renesmee rolled her eyes and turned to Carlisle, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Dad, is it okay if Ed and I go walk down on the beach?"

Carlisle looked warily at Edward before replying, "Yes, Renesmee, but please don't stay out too long. It's already dark."

"Thanks!" Renesmee skipped out of the room, dragging Ed behind her.

"Don't worry, Edward," Ed winked. "I understand the whole big brother-protector thing. I'll watch out for her."

As the back door slammed behind them, Edward gave a low growl.

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"Wow, I've never been out this far before!" Renesmee giggled, running through the tall grass that led up to the edge of white sand. The ocean, just yards away, roared its way in to lap at the brittle wood along the shoreline.

Behind her, Ed stopped to catch his breath, panting loudly, "You, uh, run really fast…gasp…ever thought about…gasp…trying out for track?"

Renesmee laughed out loud then, her face turned towards the sky and stars. She was pretty sure that would be considered cheating in most circles.

"I'm serious!"

"Oh, I know you are," she smiled, breathing deep of icy wind and salt. She hugged herself deeper into her cotton hoodie.

"You cold?" Ed murmured, suddenly very close.

"Maybe a little."

Ed shrugged out of his denim jacket and drew it over Renesmee's shoulders.

"Thanks."

"You are so beautiful," he whispered, staring down at her.

She turned to face him, her hands hidden in the sleeves of Ed's coat. She shook her head, "It's really okay. You don't have to say stuff like that just because we're alone on a beach at night."

"It's okay. I want to," Ed said, his arms snaking around her waist, pulling her into his arms.

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"Don't you think they should be back by now?" Bella glanced at the clock anxiously.

"If they're not here in thirty seconds, I'll go find them," Edward said, grimly.

"We should try and be patient," Carlisle reminded him. "We mustn't be too hard on Ed simply because he is a human. If Renesmee cares for him, we should try and be respectful of that."

"If this how you all felt with me around, then I am sorry," Bella looked half-amused, half-horrified.

"You didn't hear his mind, his—his…sick, perverted fantasies!" Edward argued, as if he hadn't heard Bella, at all.

"Are you quite certain you would have liked Charlie privy to all your private thoughts of Bella? And think before you answer," Carlisle looked stern. "Perfection escapes us all, Edward."

There was the sound of the front door opening, a solid step in the hallway, and a familiar scent flooded in.

"Hey, everyone! I'm home!" Jacob called.

"Oh, perfect timing," Rosalie muttered from the sofa.

"Edward, Bella!" Jacob bounded into the room, a hearty slap across Edward's stone back. Jacob felt an ache in his palm but was too excited to even wince. "Carlisle," he nodded. Esme moved across the room to land a kiss on his cheek, "Esme..." His eyes swept the room, taking inventory.

He frowned, at once, "Where's Nessie?"

"Oh, she'll be back, soon," Bella said quickly. "Why don't you sit down, Jacob? How's Billy?"

"But whe--…"

"Do you want something to eat? Esme made some cookies today."

"Maybe later. I just want to see…"

"Oh, well, I want to hear how Leah and Sam and everyone are. Is Seth doing okay in school?"

"Bella."

Bella stopped her frantic speech to stare at Jacob.

"Where is Renesmee?"

"She's down by the water, Jacob. Why don't you go see her?" The entire Cullen clan whirled to look at Edward who stood, leaning against the door frame, his eyes glinting dangerously.

Bella opened her mouth to protest and closed it again.

"Thanks, I will," Jacob said, his feet already carrying him to the door.

"But…" Bella started after him but Edward's arms shot out to pull her back.

"Let him go."

"But Edward…"

"He's safer with Jacob then he would be with me."

"That's not saying much, at all," Alice whispered to Jasper.

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"I know we just met and you're just getting used to being here…but I just feel so…different around you, you know? There's no one like you in the whole world!"

"Really?" Renesmee smiled, blushing.

"Really, really. When I'm around you, the whole world just goes away. I think you're…you're just…"

Renesmee felt Ed's breath on her cheek, her nose, her mouth. Her heart began to race.

"I think you're amazing, too," she whispered.

Ed grinned and bending his head, kissed her.

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Jacob had picked up Renesmee's scent quickly and began chasing it across the fields of tall grass, bleached white with sea salt. He was only mildly disconcerted to note a second, less-pleasing scent mixing slightly with the first.

The mere smell of her skin made his heart course wildly and Jacob put on an extra bound of speed. At this moment, he felt an overpowering need to touch her, hold her…and maybe tell her what he'd been waiting forever to tell her. That he loved her, that he needed her, that she was his one and only, his mate for life – that her life was entwined with his own, her pain was his and that those kite strings tying him to the world had long ago fallen away, that he had only one now…and it was her.

Jacob surged ahead, topping the hillcrest. He saw her, then, her sweet-smelling hair blowing in the wind, her back to him now. And then Jacob saw the boy, his arms wrapped tightly around her tiny frame, his mouth on her mouth. A cold deadness entered his body. Jacob felt the air being sucked from his lungs. He opened his mouth to cry out but there was only the sound of the wind rushing and the water crashing.

Turning her head, Renesmee caught sight of him and instinctively pushed Ed away from her, "Jacob!"

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Author's Note: Thoughts? Do tell. It gets juicier in the next installment so the quicker 15 reviews appear, the quicker you find out what happens next! As always, thank you for reading!