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. I don't own the excerpt from Briar Rose by The Brothers Grimm, although it is Public Domain material.

Author's Note: Thank you to all my reviewers, both new and old! You are the reason I continue to write this story. Thank you for all the inspiration, thoughts, ideas, questions, and comments! Your opinions mean a great deal to me. Look for your note at the end of the chapter. I know that the "reply to review" button is available but, for now, I would like to continue to give open recognition to anyone who bothered to read and review. Notes at end of chapter.

By the way, I think someone who reads this story may have met my husband in a coffee shop this past week…a little place called Milagro's? He said he overheard a woman talking on her phone about a Twilight fanfiction and that he asked her about it. If that person is reading, just wanted to say hi. Nice to know someone local is reading this.

RATING WARNING: This fic is rated T for Teen. I do not want to bump it up to M simply for violence and scary, dark sequences. However, fair warning for any of my younger readers, the next couple chapters might be a little heavier than they normally are. The language should remain fairly PG but there will be some violence, innuendo, and adult situations. Nothing graphic but just so you know. I'm writing this like a typical PG13 film.

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"In olden times there lived a King and Queen, who lamented day by day that they had no children, and yet never a one was born. One day, as the Queen was bathing and thinking of her wishes, a Frog skipped out of the water, and said to her, 'Your wish shall be fulfilled…you shall have a daughter…So it happened, and a little girl was born who was so beautiful that the King almost lost his senses… and the wise women presented the infant with their wonderful gifts…so that the child had everything that is to be desired in the world…but the thirteenth old lady…exclaimed loudly, 'The Princess shall prick herself with a spindle on her fifteenth birthday and die!'…Then the King, who naturally wished to protect his child from this misfortune, issued a decree commanding that every spindle in the kingdom should be burnt…"

"Oh, no!" Renesmee gasped, her tiny baby face crumpling in worry. "Daddy, that's not going to stop the princess from pricking her finger!"

"I know. Sometimes mommies and daddies can't protect their children from all the bad in the world."

"What will happen to Briar Rose?" the little girl asked, her eyes growing wide.

Edward smiled, "Don't worry, sweetheart. This has a happy ending."

"Do all stories have happy endings?" the child wondered.

Edward thought for a moment. "In the end," he said, at last. "The very, very end."

Renesmee scrunched up her nose, considering this.

Her father tried to explain, "Sometimes it might seem like it's the end but…there is always hope for another ending, after all..."

Edward ran a hand through his tousled hair, shaking free of the memory. It was so easy to daydream in this class. He pursed his lips, his eyes on the clock in the English classroom. 50 entire minutes of lecture devoted to Bram Stoker…Even to the 112 year-old, it felt like an eternity.

"The controversial novel, Dracula, was published in 1897 and was the first of many popular vampire stories. In fact, it was Dracula that inspired many of our more popular movies and television shows. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, anyone?" Mrs. Grayson chuckled as if she'd said something immensely amusing.

Beside him, Renesmee yawned loudly. Mrs. Grayson glared before continuing.

"Of course, the myth of vampires has been around for hundreds and hundreds of years, stretching far back to ancient Egypt. But the romanticizing of the vampire is a more recent development. The idea of the vampire has come to represent the forbidden and, consequently, sexuality."

A girl in the front row raised her hand.

"Yes, Emily?"

"So you don't think that vampires are real? Like, at all?"

Edward stiffened, so slightly that no human would have seen the shift in his body.

Mrs. Grayson smiled, "No, I do not. I think they are an invention of more primitive people to explain medical problems and horrible tragedies. Stories to scare children into staying close to home. A toddler wanders off at night and is killed by a wild animal. It's much easier for a superstitious family to explain a sad accident by assigning supernatural causes to death."

Emily looked disappointed.

"Now who can tell me what are some of the things that Stoker says repel vampires?"

"Sunlight," Emily responded quickly.

Renesmee stared at the girl curiously. She wore her jet-black hair straight down her back. Her face was pale, as though she had applied too much foundation. The dark eyeliner and slightly obsessed look on her face said it all. One of those weird girls who read a lot of Anne Rice novels and pronounced vampire, "vamPEER," Renesmee thought. Hearing his daughter's mind, Edward smiled in agreement.

What a freak, she thought.

Her father kicked her under the table, a disapproving frown on his lips.

What, she hissed silently.

"There's no reason to be unkind," he murmured quietly. "She doesn't know any better."

She's weird.

"She's human."

Whatever. All I'm saying is if vampires really looked like that fruitcake, I'd disown all of you.

Edward bit back a laugh, his eyebrows furrowing, working hard to look stern.

"Would you two mind telling me what's so funny?" Mrs. Grayson called from the front of the room, her voice irritated.

"Nessie was just telling me that garlic also is supposed to keep vampires away," Edward spoke up, his expression innocent.

"And you find that…amusing?"

He opened his mouth and closed it again. "Well…yes…I do."

"Would you care to share this great joke with therestof the class?" the teacher asked sarcastically.

Edward's mouth twisted up slightly. He spoke effortlessly in melodic tones and almost involuntarily, every girl in the room turned towards the sound of his voice. "Vampires…" he began, "Are supposed to be powerful, unstoppable monsters…agents of the undead…with inhuman strength and speed and the ability to control those around them." He paused, smirking. "And Bram Stoker expects his readers to believe that they can be warded off with an average garden vegetable. It's…amusing."

"Yes, well…that would be the point of superstition, Mr. Cullen. It doesn't often follow logic."

In the front row, Emily muttered something, slouching down in her seat.

"Yes, Emily?" Mrs. Grayson turned back to her. "Do you have something to add?"

"I said it doesn't have to be logical to be true."

The English teacher frowned, "I'm always glad to see my students participate in discussion. But I'm afraid your argument is flawed."

Emily shrugged sullenly, not lifting her eyes from her desk.

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The boy smirked as he glanced again at the time. 2:27. Three minutes to go. And then…show time. Ed couldn't help himself. A sunny smile broke across his face. The waiting, the sweet anticipation…this was always the best part.

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Renesmee followed her father down the hall, a small bounce in her step. She felt pretty today. It was so easy to feel overshadowed by the beautiful women who surrounded her. They never meant to but with their perfect porcelain skin, golden eyes, and flowing hair, Rosalie, Alice, and even her mother always made her feel a little insecure. But today was different. She felt…different. Renesmee pictured Jacob in her head for the millionth time that afternoon, his dark skin and hair contrasting so much with his brilliantly white teeth. And for the millionth time, Renesmee's heart began to race. She had never been so thankful for her vivid memory.

Edward eyed the radiant smile that shone on his daughter's glowing face. Her long honey-colored locks hung loose down her back. She had allowed Alice to dress her that morning – in a deep blue cotton shirt with a sweeping neckline and a pair of dark designer jeans. The locket he and Bella had given her on her very first Christmas swung around her neck. He recognized the dreamy, distracted look in her eyes. She looked more like Bella every day.

He groaned silently as the thoughts of the teenage boys they passed in the hall overwhelmed him. As a vampire, Edward did not regret the decision to abstain from taking human life. But there were days when it seemed like a perfectly logical course of action. Especially when the entire basketball team seemed intent on imagining Renesmee in various states of undress absolutely every time they walked by him. He put an arm around her shoulders and glared murderously at a passing student, his eyes growing dark. The boy immediately stepped back against the lockers as if he had been physically pushed, leaving a wide girth for the Cullens.

"Hey, Nessie, Edward! Wait up!" Ed called, running up behind them, panting.

"Hi, Ed," Renesmee smiled, stopping.

"Hey," he grinned, holding up a finger as he tried to catch his breath. When he could breathe again, "So, my place?"

"Ed and I are going to work on our science fair project tonight," Renesmee explained to her father, needlessly.

"I think we're gonna win," Ed said confidently.

Edward listened intently to Ed's thoughts, most of them swirling around how beautiful Renesmee was, etc., etc. The second train of thought focused on the materials he had bought for their project – poster board, rubber cement, florist wire, magic markers…"That sounds like fun. Renesmee, do you need a ride?"

"Oh, we can take my car. I mean, if that's okay. Do you think your dad will mind if I drive your sister?" Ed asked Edward. "I know sometimes parents have strict rules about teen driving."

"I think Carlisle and Esme will be alright with that," Edward said, trying not to frown. He must learn to relax about Renesmee.

"Cool beans. You ready to go, Nessie?" Ed smiled brightly at her.

"Yeah, I think so."

"Will you need someone to come pick you up?" Edward asked.

"Jacob said he'd come get me when I called."

Edward nodded, "Alright. Have a good time."

"We will," Ed promised.

"See you at home," Renesmee waved. She followed Ed out the double doors towards the parking lot.
Edward's eyes would have lingered on the two of them as they made their way towards Ed's dark blue Honda Civic at the end of the lot but a panicked thought made him turn, just in time to see the girl from English, Emily, trip and begin to fall. The hallway had all but emptied of students for the day, his family already loaded into the Volvo waiting for him.

Reacting without thought, Edward whirled to catch her neatly with one arm.

The girl didn't even have time to yelp in surprise before she had been easily set down and steadied.

Feeling the familiar burn in his throat, Edward stepped back quickly. "Are you alright?" he asked politely.

"Uh. Yeah. "Emily looked up at him, her kohl-lined eyes wide with surprise. "Thanks."

Edward nodded politely, casting his eyes down as he turned.

"Was that…your sister…who was talking about garlic in class today?"

"Yes, it was," he said, still walking away.

Emily seemed to think very hard about something before blurting out, "You were right, by the way. It's not real."

Edward stopped, curious, "What?"

"Garlic. It doesn't do anything to vampires."

An amused smile played at his lips as he turned, "Alright."

"Neither does sunshine or crosses or stakes in the heart."

Decades of practice froze the relaxed smile to his face, but inside Edward felt a small surge of fear and self-preservation, "What are you…a mythical creature expert or something?" He worked to keep his tone light and joking.

Emily didn't smile. "They're not mythical."

"They're…not?"

They're real," she whispered.

"What are?" Edward asked innocently, her thoughts already laid bare.

Emily cast a furtive look over her shoulder before she answered, "Vampires."

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"I didn't know you lived so far out of town," Renesmee said, surprised. Outside the car, the lush forest contrasted with the hard pavement as it flew by them, a green and gray blur.

"Yeah, it's a little drive," Ed chuckled.

"It's really pretty, though," she added, settling deeper into the bucket seat. "I should probably make sure Jacob knows how to get here, though." She pulled out her cell phone.

"Oh, damn," Ed winced. "Sorry, there's no signal here. No cell phone tower. Oops. Um…you can call him from my house?"

"Oh, okay. That works."

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"You think vampires are real?" Edward repeated. He completely regretted his inability to be less than a gentleman. Let the girl trip. Could have avoided this entirely. If he'd been paying attention to her thoughts more closely in class he would have known. He cursed silently.

"I know they are," Emily said firmly.

"Okay. Look, my family is waiting for me. I'm glad you're alright." He shifted towards the double doors.

"You think I'm crazy, don't you?" Edward didn't need to be a mind-reader to hear the pain behind her question.

"Vampires," Edward said carefully. "That seems a little crazy, don't you think?"

"I saw one," she said. "When I was little."

Edward didn't say anything. He could hear her mind and he knew what was coming next.

"In my backyard. I was eight."

"You were young. I mean, kids have pretty big imaginations."

"He killed my little sister. She was three."

Edward was hit with a memory of a baby Renesmee simultaneously with a play-by-play of Emily's own memories of her sister's murder. He suddenly felt like wretching violently.

"Afterwards, everyone said it was an animal, a bobcat or a coyote. But I saw him. I saw what he was."

"I'm not sure why you're telling me this," Edward said, his expression guarded.

Emily stared at him for a moment. "Me either," she said finally. "I hate reading Dracula. I guess, in class, it sounded like you do, too."

"It's overrated."

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"We're here."

Renesmee peered out the window to see the small log house nestled deep in the woods. The front windows were mostly concealed by great, looming fir trees but dark tints of glass shone through. "Wow, this is really in the middle of nowhere!"

"Yes. Yes, it is," Ed grinned, shutting off the ignition.

"Is it just you and your mom living here?" Renesmee asked, following him up to the front door.

"Yeah. She's not here right now, though. Still at the store. Won't be home till late."

"Oh." Renesmee felt an unexpected discomfort tickle in her stomach. She hadn't realized exactly how alone she and Ed might be this afternoon. She was grateful Jacob had no idea. No reason to upset him with this, she thought.

"Is that okay?" Ed asked.

"Oh, no...it's fine," she smiled quickly. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt his feelings.

Ed stepped behind her, helping her pull off her gray sweater.

"Uh, thanks," she said as he hung it on a peg in the hallway. She crossed her arms across her chest. Renesmee had grown up with a father, a grandfather, and two uncles, none of whom had been born in the last hundred years. She was accustomed to chivalry, to having her chair pulled out at dinner, the door held open, her books carried. This felt different.

"Do you want something to drink?" Ed called from the kitchen.

"Um, sure. Thanks." Renesmee followed the sound of his voice through the long, dark hallway, stopping to glance at the walls on either side. She was struck by how empty they were, blank. There were no pictures, she realized, with surprise. The Cullens were not a normal family, by any stretch of the imagination. But even they hung a family photo or two, for appearances. She didn't have any longer to consider this because Ed had reappeared at the end of the hall, his frame silhouetted in the doorway.

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"Finally," Rosalie muttered as Edward slid into the driver's seat of the Volvo.

"We were just about to leave without you," Emmett told him as Bella leaned across the driver's console to plant a kiss on her husband's lips.

"Just had the strangest conversation with…"

"Emily?" Alice asked brightly from the backseat where she sat cuddled against Jasper's chest.

"What did you see?" Edward asked.

"She's going to be our friend. I'm not really sure of the specifics, yet."

Edward frowned, "I don't think so, Alice."

"Unless she changes her mind," his sister shrugged.

"What is it with this family and humans?" Rosalie growled.

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"I hope orange juice is okay. Mom hasn't been shopping for awhile."

"Thanks," she said, taking the glass from him. It was cold.

Ed led her past a steep staircase and into a small, stuffy living room.

The carpet and wall-paper were straight out of the 1970's. The couch had a

peculiar, slightly unpleasant odor but Renesmee sat anyway.

"I know this is...nothing like your house," Ed said. "Sorry."

"Please don't worry about it," Renesmee told him, embarrassed. She sipped her drink as she looked around. Over the fireplace a painting hung of a man with a white beard dressed completely in black.

"That's my great-great-great grandfather," Ed said, his eyes following her gaze. "He died in 1881. My mom's really proud of that picture. It's...pretty valuable now, I guess."

"Who was he?"

"His name was Elias White. He was a..." Ed paused.

She glanced at him curiously.

"A warlock," he finished.

"A what?" Renesmee's stomach twinged.

"A wizard, a witch...I don't know. Whatever you want to call him."

"A witch? Like...a real witch?" she gave him a skeptical smile. Then shook her head slightly. She felt herself growing a little light-headed.

"Is that hard to believe?" Ed asked, his face growing excited, as he moved to sit beside her.

"I..." she suddenly felt very dizzy.

"Almost as hard as believing in vampires," he went on, smiling knowingly.

Nessie felt her stomach lurch. The room was beginning to tilt and roll. Her ordinarily perfect vision began to blur and dim.

"Wha-…?" Renesmee slurred. A tiny part of her brain was screaming at her to get up, to run, but she couldn't seem to make her muscles obey her.

"Oh, don't worry, sweetheart," Ed murmured, a hand running down her cheek. "You're going to go to sleep for a little while, okay?"

"I'm…" she pushed against him but her head rolled back of its own accord.

"Sshhh, don't try and talk now," he chuckled. "There are enough tranquilizers in that orange juice to bring down an elephant. It's probably overkill but better not take any chances, right?"

Renesmee felt her body convulse once. She knew had seconds of consciousness left. She gathered all the control she could in her arm and drove her elbow deep into Ed's side. She thought she heard something crack. And then everything went dark.

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Notes:

Anna562: You wrote 15 wonderful reviews. Thank you! I'm so flattered you stayed up late reading this. I hope this chapter was worth your time. I always love to hear what readers are thinking and your insights were great. I hope you keep reading!

Karenaf92: Hope this chapter made some things about Ed clearer. Thanks for reviewing!

Nighttime writer: So? What do you think? Thanks for so faithfully reviewing!

Wolfypup: I like your pen name and your review made me laugh. What do you think of Edward 2 in THIS chapter? Something else, right? Hope you like it! Thanks!

Ninjanoni: Okay, so I pictured a full chuckle (not hahahahah) but like obviously he didn't just go "ha!" and then stop. I don't know. I'm now interested in your debate. And I would love a kangaroo. Thanks for reviewing! Tell me how you liked this chapter.

Sasunaru-lover1029: Yeah, Nessie IS like Bella…aww. Thanks for the sweet review! What do you think of how this is going?

K8ex10: Thank you! Hope you keep reading!

Hplexmark: See, I didn't like Jacob either until Breaking Dawn. I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Tell me how you think this one went. Thanks!

Wintermoth: Sorry this update took two weeks! My longest chapter writing yet. I know…Ed is psycho. Thanks for reviewing like you always do!

aPPle-FrEAk: I tell you, it's these action chapters that take me forever…I just want them to be good. Thanks for the really specific comments. They actually helped me when I was revising this chapter before posting. I really appreciate it. Thank you!! Now I have to know what you think about what's going on…

Queen Sable: I know! Renesmee is so pushy in this story, lol. Thanks for reviewing! I hope you like the new chapter.

PrincessxofxthexAsylum: You're so right about Ed…;) I hope this chapter was entertaining (if a little creepy). I'd love to hear what you think. Thank you!

Sabs7: So are you surprised about Ed? Thanks for the great review!

AmethystEyes0: Thanks for reviewing even though you were tired! Jacob was trying to not phase when Renesmee was kissing him. Sorry if that wasn't clear. I hope you like this new chapter!

Hanner Nanners: Thanks so much! I'm glad you're still reading! I really hope you enjoy Chapter 16.

CullensAreAwesome: Yeah, I love Nessie and Jake together…and yes, evil Ed. Sigh. What do you think? Thanks for reviewing!

BellaCullen27: Thank you very much!

Sahara042: What do you think of Eddie now? I'm super curious. Thanks for reviewing again! :)

AntiRebel: What do you think of the love triangle after reading this chapter? Did it surprise you? I'd love to hear what you think. Thanks so much for reviewing every chapter!

K2ismyhomedog: What a compliment. Thank you! I kind of like Jacmee (or Jessie even?). Something simple. I hope you liked this chapter. Would love to hear what you think.

You-Dazzle-Me-1901: Yay, you're back! So glad you're still reading! Thanks for all the reviews! I luffle you much!

xxxVAMPIREKNIGHTxxx: I'm afraid this chapter was more with the creepy. What do you think? Thanks for reviewing, as always!

Hollibell: Okay, I am seriously dying to know what you think of this chapter because you were the first to call the whole Ed-being-evil thing. So? Tell me! Thanks for another great review!

Polyphany: Thank you for reviewing! So glad you're still enjoying it! What did you think of Chap 16?

: Aww, thanks so much! Yeah, I hate stories that rush into characters' relationships. They're hard to follow and not much fun to read. I'm so happy to know you like the story! I hope you enjoy this new update!

Fleckpuppy: Thanks! Hope you like it!

Kelol: A review cookie!?! Can I tell you how long it's been since I've gotten one of those? Awesome. Thanks for reviewing and staying on top of the grammar. You might find some mistakes in this chapter. I'm feeling a little absent-minded lately.

Ivy O'Hara: I hope you liked the rest of it. Cool pen name, btw. Thanks for taking the time to review! :)

Beedee93: Well, this chapter has some pretty big clues as to what's going on with Ed. I hope you enjoyed it. I have considered including "the talk" in one of these chapters. If not in this story, it'll happen in another. Thanks so, so much!

Ms. Jacob Black: Omigosh, I really want to know what you thought of this chapter…Thanks, just like every other time, for the awesome review!

A fri3nd: I hope this chapter was good even if it didn't have the Edward/Jacob confrontation in it. Thanks for reviewing! I haven't read your latest update but thanks for letting me know – I'll pop over there and read either tonight or tomorrow.

Pictures: Thank you so very much for reviewing! Tell me what you thought of the chapter. Would love to know.

Maddy: I love it when Renesmee's all cute with Edward. Thank you for reviewing again! Did this chapter totally creep you out? It was hard to write because I kept getting scared and having to stop.

Bambi Gone Mad: Thanks so much! Here's the update – I hope you enjoyed it. Much more creepiness in this chapter.

Angel of the Night Watchers: Oh, there's so much crazy, I can't keep track of it! Thanks for reviewing! I hope you liked this chapter.