Originally Quil is the one who imprints on Claire, but for this story it's Embry, it's a bit 'out-of-place' otherwise with Quil being part of Jake's pack.

Chapter 37

I was in the way of two people that loved each other. How odd.

I got myself to bed mechanically, wondering how to fix this, even for a while. Edward came to me once he got Renesmee to sleep. He reassured me it was just a tantrum. She was uncomfortable, scared, and well aware she was powerless, he told me. I wondered if I could throw one, wished I could, but I felt too tired.

"I explained flailing like that so close to someone could hurt them, especially if it was you," he continued. I nodded.

I sat there, upright, the warm yellow light of the lamp beside me washing over us. I don't know if I can sleep.

Edward laid a hand on the arm that lay limp in my lap.

"I don't know if I can sleep," I said to him.

"I may no longer sleep, but I can still be kept 'up' at night," he said. I snorted. I wasn't sure why it was funny either.

"I envied how humans could sleep, at times," he continued.

"Even me?"

"I was grateful for it," he said, looking up at me sweetly. "It gave you a break from the worry,"

"So, it'd make you happy if I slept?" I said with a hard smile. I slid down the pillows and scooched closer to cuddle. His arms opened to welcome me. Edward's nose paused at my hair, and he breathed in.

"Mmm," he hummed, stroking my arm.

"I love you, you know that, right?" I said.

"Of course, I do,"

"I just wanted you to know," His embrace tightened.

"It's going to be fine.," he murmurs. "I have one thing in mind and I'm going to achieve it,"

I reached up and stroke the space under his jawline, shaking my head. He hugged me tighter.

"I'll be damned if we get separated again,"

Renesmee got herself dressed and ready to go in the morning. She packed her play bag with the bunny Alice had on the bed when she showed us her room, and a small dog she had since she was a few weeks old. Guess she wanted to make sure what she wanted was packed too.

The others didn't have to leave yet, so they saw us off. Renesmee joined her escape bag in the backseat, holding her little one close. It was a red hiking bag, large enough to store enough things for a weekend. But it wasn't entirely full.

"You can put your stuff in it at Charlie's," I said gently, and buckled her in.

"Ready?" Edward asked as I climbed in.

"Yep." I huffed.

Charlie practically burst out of the front door after hearing us roll up to the house.

"Bella, Edward," he greeted.

"Charlie," Edward said with a nod.

"Hey, Dad. Alrighty," I got Renesmee and her bag out of the car and pulled it onto her tiny shoulders.

"Now," I said, getting down to her eye level.

"It's really important you keep this bag with you at all times, alright? It's got stuff for emergencies. We'll be back as soon as we can," I said. Forgetting her ire, she embraced me tightly.

"...I love you more than my own life," I told her. "I'd do anything for you. You know that, don't you?"

I feel her nod roughly. I leaned back knowing there were tears for me to wipe away. I smiled at her, rubbing her cheek.

I got up, letting Edward hug her too. I turn and Charlie is already there, waiting for me. He hugged me tight and kissed my head.

"My girl..." I was surprised I had to fight tears. Suppose it didn't help he was too.

"Thanks for always being on my side," I tell him.

"Always, Bells,"

I've wondered if Charlie felt I valued the Cullens more, the last time I was here. That, that's why I'd leave with them at a moment's notice.

"I'm sorry. They're important to me, Dad. Not more than you, but equally as you," I say, rubbing his back. "I hope you can understand,"

"Like it or not, we're family," he said, though I could sense him shooting daggers at Edward.

"...Make sure Jacob doesn't take her before tomorrow," I whisper before pulling away.

"What?"

"I'm just being absolutely careful," I say.

"Alright, time to go," I huff. Edward walked to Charlie to shake his hand. Charlie took it, looking unsure. He decided to pull him into a hug - Edward made it look that way anyway- and clapped his back.

"I don't really like you. No father ever really likes the guy that steals their girl's heart. But you're still a kid, maybe not the worst, just really stupid. Be careful out there,"

"I will, Charlie,"

Once he was free, Edward guided me back to the car and I hooked a lock of Renesmee's hair around my finger, letting it fall when I got too far away. Edward quickly pulled out of his driveway and headed to the start of a trail several miles away.

When we arrived, it was empty. I sort of assumed the others would arrive in cars. Running was faster I guessed.

"They're inside," Edward said, getting out again. The next second he was opening the door for me.

"Even in the face of death you're a gentleman," I smirked.

"'til the end," he said, smiling as well.

"You sure you're alright?" I asked, getting scooped up in his arms. He was already carrying a large backpack on his back after all, and he had to carry me in his arms. It was faster than hiking at my speed.

"I'm not human," he said.

"I forget sometimes,"

He stopped at the beginning of our bait trail and directed me where I was supposed to go. I rubbed myself up and down the trees along the path.

"Just touching it is enough, not that I mind," he chuckled. I glowered.

"It's snowing. I'm trying to make sure my smell sticks,"

"Not much snow will catch on the bark, and it'll stay frozen through to tomorrow. It won't get washed away," he said. I relented and just bumped into them until I scraped a hand and rubbed that against the trees. Edward sighed.

"They won't be able to resist that,"

"There's only one thing I can do. I want to do it perfectly,"

We walked silently, him a few feet from me to not disturb my own scent trail.

"He's in a good mood," he said suddenly.

"Who?"

"Jacob."

"Oh..." We must be close to our fork in the road, where we split up.

"He doesn't want to fight. I'm just not sure if he can keep it together," he said.

"...Do you think Renesmee will love him in the future?"

"...I don't know. I'd rather not think about it yet," he said.

"But...has Alice seen anything?"

"No, she can't. At least, not 'til after the battle we think." I didn't want to think about how maybe that was because everything was up in the air still.

"Mmm."

We walked a bit more.

"Here," he said, alerting me that this was it. I was startled. I turned to him and then to where he was staring. Jacob slowly stepped out from behind a tree and tentatively headed toward me.

"I'm warning you to behave yourself," Edward said. Jacob put his hands up.

"It's cool, I'm cool. Though I'd rather die before I apologize to you," he said, honestly. I sucked in a breath and sighed. Edward hugged me tightly with both arms and nuzzled his face on my shoulder. Getting his scent all over me. I scoffed.

"I won't be long. I'm meeting the others where they'll be waiting, then I'll be back,"

'Okay," I say. Let's get this over with.

Edward walked up the hill to the side and I continued forward toward Jacob. I sort of avoided looking him in the eye. I didn't feel guilty now, I just wanted to avoid the hatred in his eyes if there were any.

I wasn't sure I could forgive him- after all we've been through, he said that. If we made up but he didn't change his mind...? Why did it hurt so much? Shouldn't I just let him feel whatever he wants about it, and move on?

But I'd have to play nice now, right? How mad could I be if it was the truth?

"Hey, Jake," I say, huffing out each word.

"Hey, Bells," he said in the same way. "Welp. We're burning daylight. Let's get this done, shall we?"

He quickly lifted me and started walking.

"That's it? Like you didn't start a fight?" I said.

"Did I?"

"Well, I didn't do anything you were accusing me of,"

"Thinking it is just as bad."

"I'm sorry. Are you a mind reader?" He sighs in response.

"I didn't come to fight. I came...to say I was sorry. I didn't mean what I said, I was mad. You didn't kill anyone, the vampires did." he said.

I look away from him, even though he wasn't looking at me.

"You weren't wrong," I admitted. "Victoria made that army because of me. She needed something just as big to get to me because she knew the Cullens would protect me. And Laurent, the vampire you guys killed? He told her about you,"

"Shiiiiit."

"So, she prepared a plan," I said. "The Cullens aren't at all like them,"

"...I'm sure they have their secrets." I wanted to correct him, but he was right again.

"They're still monsters," Edward, Jasper, and Rosalie have killed people. Wasn't I also a monster for easily looking it over? For thinking Edward's rebellion was ok because he did society back then a favor? No. Rosalie was nearly murdered and forgotten by them like she was trash. Jasper was forced into his horrific life then. His thirst was used against him. Edward...It couldn't have been easy to have sort of been implanted into a different body with different needs and lacking memories of even who you were. There were monsters in all races.

"Then being human we're just as disgusting. Our kind kills people too. If not in senseless acts of violence, or in defense, in senseless wars."

"They killed in their lifetime," he said. I shook my head.

"You said I might as well be dead to you if I was siding with them like I was dirty by affiliation."

"Bella! For crying out loud, they're monsters, not human!"

"So are you. You're not human. Neither is Renesmee, not entirely." I said, staring him down. He groaned loudly.

"Forget about it. We won't get anywhere with it," he growled.

"Just judge them for the people they are now. It's not like you and I actually know what it's like. We can pretend, but it wouldn't be right. We still wouldn't know. The guilt they carry isn't any of your business, but I've seen it. They have forever to carry it, so leave it alone,"

"Besides," I continued. "We kill animals all the time, for food. You taught Renesmee how to hunt. Are animals inferior to us, then? It's only disturbing to you because you don't find humans tasty,"

He kept shaking his head. "Jesus. Bella... Forget it." he said, seeming to surrender his opinion in that regard.

"I had to think about it. I know what I know, I've seen what I've seen. You've seen what they're like together. Aren't they...beautiful?" I asked him. He kept his eyes trained ahead.

"I know we both wish we had that kind of existence, a family like that," I said.

"Fine. It's complicated. I get it,"

HIIIIIII! I'm so happy to 'back'. We're lucky, it's Spring Break and it included my class so after catching up on schoolwork, and stress-filled weeks since the last update (really since the start of the class), I was finally able to dip back in. I'm aiming for finishing the story, or getting close, til I go back. Thank you so much for the follows, we're at 102 and that's the highest I've ever gotten.

I really hope you've all been alright since then. Take care!