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. This is a fan-created story.

Author's Note: Thank you to Wintermoth, AntiRebel, littleclarestar, Maddy, Jane Woods, Shell, blue-blood123, Sabs7, PrincessxofxthexAsylum, xxxVAMPIREKNIGHTxxx, Hollibell, NessieandJake4ver, polyphany, LizzieAliceCullen, aPPle-FrrEAk, Karen, You-Dazzle-Me-1901, TaylorNicoleCullen, Jae,and Hplexmark for the great reviews.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Nobody could hurt me like I know she could hurt me
But there's nothing in this world that I want more.
Nobody could take me to the places that she takes me;
Places that I've never been before.
With my eyes wide open knowing full well
I could fall from heaven;

I could fall, I could break, that's the chance that I take…

With my eyes wide open, knowing full well

I could fall…

-Evan and Jaron

Sunlight poured in the window and spilled over the pillows. Renesmee blinked at the sudden brightness on her face. Her father stood over her, his white skin sparkling in the light. She squinted up at him.

"Guess it's a good thing it's Saturday, huh?" she smiled half-heartedly. "At least you don't have to fake being sick to get out of school."

Edward's brow furrowed, "He's downstairs."

Renesmee sat up, her long hair mussed, sleep-filled eyes suddenly wide.

Edward chose his words carefully, watching his daughter's face, "I know that last night was difficult, Renesmee. But I think there's something you need to know."

She opened her mouth to protest.

"About Jacob," Edward said.

She shook her head, "I seriously doubt that anything he has to say is going to change my mind."

"Maybe not." Edward looked troubled, his mind on something very far away. "But he's in pain. You should hear him out."

Renesmee bit her lip.

Her father chuckled, brushing hair out of her face, "You look just like your mother when you do that."

"I do?"

Edward's golden eyes grew sad, "You've grown so quickly. It's all gone so fast." He shook his head, ruefully, "For once in my existence, there simply hasn't been enough time."

……………………………………………………………………………………………………...

Jacob paced the length of the living room, his fists clenching and unclenching.

Esme eyed him anxiously, "Are you sure there isn't anything I can get you, Jacob? Some tea, perhaps? Or a sandwich?"

"I'm fine," he snapped. Hearing the sound of his voice, he struggled to bring himself under control, "No, thank you, Esme. I'll be alright."

Renesmee appeared at the top of the stairs, bronze hair cascading over her shoulders, a gray sweater draped around her thin frame.

Jacob felt his mouth go dry. His heart thudded in his ears and he cast cautious eyes up to meet hers. They stared at one another for a long minute.

"Hi," Jacob said, the word sounding even more stupid out loud.

Renesmee shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her mouth shaping a frown.

The silence continued. Jacob was hyper-aware of everything at that moment – the ticking of the clock, the hum of the television in the other room, the absolute stillness of the eight vampires in the room with him.

When it became unbearable, Jacob spoke again, "Look, can we…go somewhere? I…I need to talk to you. I know I have no right to ask you to…but I hope you will, anyway."

Renesmee looked at her family, their faces unreadable, and back at Jacob's, twisted in pain and embarrassment. She nodded once, "Alright."

She walked down the stairs, past Jacob and out the backdoor. He followed, looking a little like a kicked puppy.

Emmett threw an arm around Rosalie shoulders, "Can anyone else smell that?"

They all gave him a look.

"What?" Alice looked puzzled.

"The incredible smell of awkward, teen angst…" he sighed, inhaling deeply. "Ahhhh…drink it in…"

Jasper slugged him in the arm.

"Oh, ho! Do I smell a wrestling match coming on, little brother?" Emmett grinned, getting to his feet and pinning Jasper's head in the crook of his elbow, "What do you see in hubby's future, Alice? Is it…?"

Jasper shoved him off and landed on top, successfully cutting Emmett off, "I'd say it's a can of whoop-ass, big brother."

Edward chuckled as he dodged a rolling Emmett.

"Boys!" Esme looked alarmed. "Take it outside, please! I just cleaned in here!" ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

A heavy silence floated between them as the two walked down the sandy path. Dense, rolling fog hid the ocean from view. Renesmee felt claustrophobic.

"Well?" she asked finally, unable to shake the coldness from her voice. "You had something to tell me?"

Jacob nodded, not looking at her, "Yeah."

"What is it?"

He sighed, "I don't even know where to begin."

She frowned and stopped walking, "You could probably start at the part where you almost killed my friend last night."

Jacob blew out the breath he'd been holding, turning to face her. "Nessie, if I told you something…something that…is difficult to understand and…confusing…and well, frankly, is probably going to scare you…If I told you…" he trailed off. "I don't even know how to say this…"

"Spit it out, Jacob."

Jacob nodded and braced himself, "Do you remember Sam and Emily?"

"Of course, I do. Sam is the Alpha of the other werewolf clan."

"Yeah, well…you know that Sam and Leah were together before, right?"

"What?"

"But then Sam met Emily and he left Leah and married Emily."

"That's…I didn't know that. But what does that have to do with…?"

"And you know Quil, right?"

"Right, Quil, your friend…Jacob, you're not making any…"

"And you've seen Claire, the little girl that Quil takes care of?" He knew he was rushing through this but he was afraid if he stopped now, he might never get it out.

"Jacob, I don't understand what…"

"It's called imprinting."

"What is? Imprinting…what are you talking about?"

"It's how shape-shifters find their mates. I can't explain it very clearly except to say it's like there is one person in the world for every wolf and when the wolf sees that person, they stop caring about everything else, they…they imprint. That person is their soul mate. The only one they're supposed to be with…ever."

Renesmee look confused, "I don't…"

Jacob interrupted, pushing on, getting to the most crucial element of his explanation, "And sometimes they find that person when they're an adult. But sometimes…before that. And it doesn't matter when because the imprint becomes, well, whatever their soul mate needs. A babysitter, a brother, a friend…or…well, anything. And then someday, when they're old enough, they're…you know…uh…mates. For life." In spite of his nervousness, Jacob felt his cheeks redden as he said this. It was so different saying it out loud.

"Jacob, I still don't get what this has to do with me or…"

"Renesmee," Jacob stepped closer and cradled his face with her hands, "Renesmee, you are my…I mean, I am your…we are…" He broke off and stared at her for a moment. "You are my soul mate," he said simply.

Her eyes widened, "What?"

"I have loved you since the day you were born. Nessie, I can't even begin to tell you…you are my world...my body, my heart…"

Renesmee's breath was coming faster, more shallow, "You…are…"

"Nessie, when you're near me, it's like the whole universe stops. I can't…be away from you. And…" he looked remorseful, "And I'm sorry about last night. I'm so sorry that I scared you. I'm sorry that I was rude to someone you care about. It's just that when I saw you with him, I felt so…angry. So jealous. Because you are mine, Renesmee. You're mine." A ferocity entered his gaze.

"I…" Renesmee wasn't sure she could form the rest of that sentence or any other. "I…"

And then Jacob's lips came crashing down on hers and she forgot if she'd actually had something to say.

His mouth was hard against her own, urging her to push back. Renesmee felt her legs trembling as he gathered her to him. She curled her arms around his neck, wanting to be closer. What was this? This strange, aching need to feel him against her.

It was Jacob that broke the kiss. The two of them stood, foreheads touching, taking in huge gulps of air.

"You…imprinted on…me?" Renesmee whispered in shock.

"Yeah," he breathed, nuzzling her neck.

"And that's why you've always been there? Why all my memories are full of you?"

"I couldn't stand to be away from you."

"You…taught me my alphabet. And to tie my shoes…" she looked bewildered.

"Nessie…"

"Why didn't you tell me? What were you waiting for?"

Jacob winced, "A lot of things. You to grow up, mostly. Your parents thought it was better that you didn't know, that it might taint your childhood, make you feel like you didn't have a choice."

Renesmee was quiet for a moment, lost in a thought. "Do I have a choice?" she asked finally.

Jacob's heart squeezed. "Of course, Nessie. You always have a choice," he nodded firmly. "Always."

"But you don't?"

Jacob's smile was a little sad. "I was made to love you. No matter who or what you want. I'll always belong to you, Renesmee," he said, stroking her hair. "There is no one else for me."

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Bella lay with her head on Edward's lap, his long, pale fingers running through her hair.

Edward sighed.

Bella looked up at him, "He's told her, hasn't he?"

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Author's Note: Not even close to the end! Review and tell me what you think! Thanks, guys!

Notes:

Wintermoth: I know…poor Jacob. Gets better, though. I promise. Tell me what you think of this chapter! Thanks for the review!

AntiRebel: I'm glad you're feeling the pull between Ed and Jacob. I want the decision to be difficult and I can't promise exactly how it will turn out but I think people will enjoy it. Imprinting is so much fun to write about – all the awesome speculation you can do! Thanks for reviewing!

Littleclarestar: Thanks so much! Hope you like this new chapter!

Maddy: Yeah, I love that Renesmee can stand up to Jacob. He needs a balancing force. And Edward is still her hero, which I also love. Thank you for reviewing! Tell me what you think of this new bit.

Jane Woods: I think you nailed it on the head. Renesmee's actions aren't about hate but about growing up and the confusion that comes with that. And no, Renesmee doesn't know about imprinting, yet. I felt like that was something Edward and Bella would keep from her until she was old enough to understand. I think they would want to protect her childhood. Thanks for another amazing review! Tell me how you think this chapter went.

Shell: Well, PLEASE don't gouge out your eyes! And don't worry about hurting my feelings. I appreciate all your honesty about the character development. It really does help me grow as a writer. Glad the last chapter cleared up some things! Thanks for another excellent review.

Blue-blood123: Nice to know you like the story! Would love to hear what you thought about this chapter. Thanks!

Sabs7: Yeah, I'm really glad I decided to write the last chapter and apparently a lot of other people are, too. Hope you like this new chapter. Thanks for your constant reviews! :)

PrincessxofxthexAsylum: No worries. I love Emmett and I want to give him more "screen time." Sorry there's not as much in this chapter as I wanted there to be. It's coming – just had to get through this part first.

xxxVAMPIREKNIGHTxxx: I will definitely put some more Alice and Jasper in here! Thanks for the suggestion. I do really love those two and I love Jackson Rathbone and Ashley Greene, as well. Thought they did a great job in the film. They have such wonderful chemistry! I'm flattered that so many people are enjoying this story. I'm endeavoring to make it the kind of story I would want to read. So keep the ideas and comments coming! And THANK YOU!

Hollibell: Yeah, I guess everyone was wondering what was going on in Renesmee's head! Hope you like this new chapter. Tell me what you think. Thanks for the review!

NessieandJake4ver: I don't like what Nessie does to Jacob, either. But it's probably character-building for both of them. Hope so, anyway! What did you think of Chapter 11? Thanks for reviewing again!

Polyphany: Yay, yay! Did you like this chapter? Let me know! Thanks!

LizzieAliceCullen: Evoking emotion is such a huge compliment! Thank you! I hope you like how the story is progressing. I don't know if I can really answer your question about Ed vs. Jake fairly, yet. I'm not sure Nessie knows, either. Sorry if that's a cop-out but I don't want to spoil the story. Let me know if you have a better idea after reading this chapter or if it's still fuzzy.

aPPle-FrrEAk: Imprinting raises such interesting questions about free will. Very cool to explore. We'll see who she chooses…;) And yeah, absolutely, I couldn't imagine Edward and Bella letting her find out about werewolves imprinting. That just seems really traumatic for a child. Thanks for another excellent review!

Karen: I promise not to disappoint. But everyone will have to be patient – takes awhile to get to the end! Hope you keep reading! Let me know if this chapter was worth the wait. Thank you for the review!!

You-Dazzle-Me-1901: Thanks for two awesome reviews! Tell me what you thought of this new chapter. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

TaylorNicoleCullen: Thank you? Lol. Ed is a mystery…for now. Hope you keep reading. And that I don't keep you all in suspense TOO long! Thanks for reviewing!

Jae: Thank you for the many compliments. I'm just glad you enjoyed it. Tried to make this chapter longer – what do you think? Thank you, again!

Hplexmark: Thanks! I hope this new chapter lived up to everyone's expectations! Let me know!