Disclaimer: I own nothing when it comes to Twilight or the songs I make reference to. I know… I'm sad too!

A/N: Quick wrap-up since I got a ton of question: Bella and Renesmee started school at the beginning of the year with the rest of the students. About a month later, the Cullens start at the same school. The 'human students' don't really pay attention to the Cullens in the lunchroom and Alice DID get a vision of Bella talking to Edward outside the school.

Enjoy Chapter Fourteen!

EPOV (Edward)

I walked to my sophomore English class in a haze. I could hear people's thoughts as I passed, but I didn't pay much attention; they seemed so trivial and I didn't have my siblings around so I didn't need to put on the show that I had this morning.

"Dang, there's more of them… and the guys are just as hot, wow."

Trivial, hormone-raged humans were all the same. They were predictable and even more boring now with her.

I walked up to the door of Mr. Haschal's English class and looked through the window. The bell had rung, but no one was paying attention, and it seemed that he didn't care much. His thoughts were focused on the concert he was taking his wife to that weekend. He has interesting taste in music. Most middle-aged men didn't care for hard, death rock concerts.

I opened the door and heard the usual drivel that accompanied the first day at any new school for any one of us.

"Holy, man of god!"

"Oh, this class just got so much better."

"Damn, why can't I have an open seat next to me?"

"Wow."

I pushed my feet forward to teacher's desk and handed him my slip. He read it while looking through his briefcase for a syllabus. "Here's a syllabus and I'll get you an English book tomorrow. You can share with your neighbor for today. Why don't you sit next to…" There weren't many open seats; just one. "Renesmee? Please, raise your hand Renesmee. Have a seat Mr. Cullen."

I looked at the girl he had called Renesmee and she looked like she had gone into shock. Her face was stiff and her mouth was wide open. Her mind was silent for a moment before I heard her start processing her own reaction.

'Holy crow! That's… no, no. Thoughts, gotta block my thoughts." How'd she know to block her thoughts?

"Betty won't stop listening to modern rock, how she hates to be alone. I try to compensate her lack of love with coffee cake, ice cream and a bottle of ten dollar wine she says hey, I rock the Haro sport. I rock the cow girl blues. I rock too fast for love I'm footloose in my Velcro shoes. What's up with Will and Grace? I don't get drum and bass. The future freaks me out…"

She was singing The Future Freaks Me Out over and over in her mind before she slipped. Five minutes had passed when she finally looked at me and our eyes met.

"Crap, she's gonna kill me, the eyes… The future freaks me out…"

Her eyes! I knew that color better than any other color on the planet. I had only ever seen those eyes in one person; and her father, of course. Those eyes were Bella's. I sniffed the air, but didn't smell anything familiar; but I also did not smell a human sitting next to me. She had similarities to humans, sure, but it wasn't absolute.

"Who are you?" I breathed just low enough for her to hear.

"I can't tell you." She simply thought her answer and went right back to singing the song in her head.

"What are you?" I hissed my question this time and she jumped next to me.

"I… can't tell you." She was hesitant this time. "After class, please." She was pleading me to drop it, and I was suddenly aware that we were in class with nineteen other students and clueless teacher that was trying to think about Shakespeare's prose, instead of the rap songs he had listened to in his car this morning.

I watched the clock tick away the seconds, while I listened to the same song over and over in this Renesmee's head. I had been called on twice during class. It wasn't difficult to pick out the right answers from Mr. Haschal's head, but I couldn't keep focus much longer.

Who is she? Why does she not smell 'human?' Why Bella's eyes? Does she know her?

My mind was coming to conclusions that made no sense. I instantly thought they were related because of the eyes. Even their lips looked similar, but I couldn't be sure anymore. I hadn't seen her in so long.

The bell rang and I grabbed Renesmee's hand in case she considered fleeing.

"I said, I'd tell you. Let's go."

I escorted her out of the first building and into the second looking for somewhere to talk without prying human thoughts or eyes. She quickly grabbed my wrist and took me back outside. She was thinking something about privacy and then ducked into the back door of the cafeteria. The entire room was empty which made it seem three times as large. All the counters where covered with metal windows; there would be no one observing the conversation.

Renesmee looked at me, still singing the same song, and smiled. She sat down and leaned her head so that I would sit as well. I wasn't sure what to expect. She seemed calmer now but still afraid to reveal her thoughts.

"It's complicated. I shouldn't tell you without talking to her. But…" She was still carefully masking her thoughts.

"Who are you?"

"My name is… Renesmee-"

"Yes, I know that." I was becoming frustrated with her not revealing her thoughts, and then on top of that, she wanted to tell me things that I already knew.

"Calm down." She thought and then opened her mouth to finish her sentence since I had interrupted her. "My name is Renesmee Swan, at least it is here." She gestured around the room, but I could barely process anything after she uttered her last name.

"Hello?" She waved her hand in front of my face several times as I tried to regain my control over my mouth.

"You're… you are… you're her…" I couldn't form the words. She did move on, just liked I 'wanted' her to.

"Yeah, I'm Bella's daughter… and yours." She smiled again but this time it was as wide as her face.

I stared at her blankly. I had no words for what I was thinking.

"Hi Daddy." She thought to me, and all I could think was: impossible.

"That's impossible." I couldn't help by state the obvious.

She giggled. "Nothing's impossible. Come on, you should know that. I can show you, but you can't freak out."

"What, how?"

"Look at my hair, it's yours. Can you just trust me and let me show you?" She ran her hand through her extremely long hair showing me her shiny bronze curls. It was a perfect match for my hair color; the curls, I assumed were inherited from Charlie, were perfect.

"Okay." I was nervous and had no idea what to expect. That feeling only intensified when she put her hand on my cheek. She kept thinking the word 'relax' over and over in her mind. Once her hand was flush with my cheek, I saw what she wanted me to.

I saw her and Bella reading books for school; sitting in a shabby living room. Bella was talking about their classes and asked how she was enjoying her English class. I laughed when she said it was boring because she didn't have anyone to talk to.

"Keep watching, Dad." Renesmee whispered as she moved onto another moment from her memories and I just nodded.

She showed me herself as a little girl, maybe five or six years old, and she was asking Bella about me, her Daddy. Bella looked sad, but told her about me and the family. When Bella's eyes changed from talking about Alice, I removed Renesmee's hand.

"Sorry." She looked down after speaking and I could tell she was afraid I was mad or was upset because she showed me those images.

I placed my index finger under her chin and lifted gently. "No, that's not what I meant. That was… incredible. I just didn't want to see your mom cry; even though she can't." She nodded and I could tell she was relieved. I continued on. "I just don't understand. Not about your power, although I am curious Renesmee. But when… how?" I couldn't form my questions correctly; I simply had too many. Renesmee smiled at me and I saw the smile that was absolutely Bella's.

"A vampire and vampire can't have children, but, Mom figures that a vampire man and human woman can. At least, it worked for you two. I don't really wanna think about it, but yeah." She was pleading in her head for me to ask a different question. My daughter was feeling awkward. I savored in the absurdity of the moment.

"Your mother's here?"

"Yeah, we've been here for about a month. You do realize what she is now, right?" How could I not. She hasn't aged since the last time I saw her and it's been twenty years.

"Yes, I know; but you… What exactly… are you, my lovely girl?" She smiled at the affection in my voice.

"I like to think of myself as a half-breed; Mom doesn't like the term, she prefers hybrid. But basically, I'm half and half. I have blood in my veins, a heart beat, and can eat actual food; but I also drink blood and am immortal."

"You're immortal?" I was so relieved; I had missed twenty years, I didn't want to lose her in the next fifty.

"Yup, you can't get rid of me. I'm almost twenty years old; a few weeks, give or take. But I've been this age for about… thirteen years. The image where I'm asking Mom about you; I was actually two."

I couldn't help but laugh, I had no other reaction. It was glorious, and sad, and overwhelming, and completely ridiculous that she existed, but I couldn't have been more thrilled.

"You okay, Dad?"

"I'm perfect. And as much as I want you to call me Dad." Her whole face lit up. "You should probably call me Edward here." I gestured to the room around us, meaning the school and she nodded, smiling.

"So, the whole family's here, right Edward? Aunt Alice and Uncle Emmett and everyone?"

"Yeah, they'll all here. They are going to be shocked." She bit her lip in a completely Bella way.

I suddenly realized twenty minutes had passed and I was keeping her from her next class. I was also missing mine, but I couldn't seem to care. "Your mother would want you in class, I'm sure."

"Probably, but that's not gonna happen. Besides, I got technology, which is a piece of cake, and then World History. I'm willing to ditch. What did you have?" I thought for a minute but couldn't remember. I couldn't remember anything from this morning. I pulled out my schedule and Renesmee immediately took it from me to study. She laughed a nervous laugh and looked at me.

"You're gonna want to go to class now." "She's in your biology class."

"Your mother." I hadn't asked it as a question. I was certain I knew who she meant, but I couldn't seem to decide which person I'd rather spend time with right now. I only clarified to buy some time.

"Yeah, she has biology with Mr. Graham too." She looked at me for a long time before speaking again. "Go. I'm gonna ditch the rest of the day. I have a feeling, it gonna be… interesting. Tell her, I'm taking the car."

"You shouldn't ditch." I found myself easing right into the disapproving father tone.

"Oh please." She giggled. "Like you don't ditch. Believe me; I know more than the teacher does."

I laughed as she hugged me. "I've wanted to hug you, Dad, for years. Don't go anywhere, okay?" I held her tighter when she said the last part. She had felt abandoned, I didn't need Jasper to tell me that.

"I promise." She leaned back and then kissed me on the cheek.

"Get to class." She waved goodbye as she snuck out another door and headed to the parking lot.

***

I walked back into the second building, now understanding why Renesmee pulled me back out, to my biology class. With Bella.

I could see her through the window and she looked… perfect. She just looked simply striking, and not because she was a vampire. God, I missed her.

I stood just out of sight behind the door and tried to listen for her voice. I heard everyone's mental processing, but not hers. Nearly every student was actually focusing on the lesson, but most were also complaining, internally of course, that it was incredibly boring.

Now or never, Cullen. I walked into the classroom and heard the thoughts ranging from shock and fascination to sexual frustration. Gotta give it up to the teenage girls, they all had one track minds. I heard Bella gasp behind me and made the effort to not turn around but to go straight to the teacher instead.

He took my slip. "Well, well Mr. Cullen, late the first day when you already have missed so much; what an impression." Mr. Graham frowned disapprovingly and I had to bite my lip so I didn't smirk. I would have missed every class if I could have spent more time with my daughter.

"Go ahead and take a seat in the back." There were three seats in the back available and one was directly behind Bella. She stared at me while I walked back to the seat and she shifted slightly when she realized I hadn't continued on to the other seats.

"Bella." I breathed it so no one would hear. She let go of a breath that she probably was holding since I first walked into the classroom. I didn't know where to start. Should I admit I knew about Renesmee? That I was sorry that she had to care for her alone? Or should I continue with the speech that I had practiced time and time again when I was searching for her; it was the speech that I hoped would win her back.

"Not now, Edward." She nearly hissed the comment and I was taken aback. "After class."

There was only fifteen minutes of class left in the hour since I had been so wrapped up with staring at her through the door.

Once the bell rang, I waited for her to move. She sat completely still as all the students rushed out for their final classes. I gathered my stuff and walked to her desk. Her eyes were closed and, if I hadn't known any better, I would have thought she was sleeping.

"Bella?" Students began coming in for 7th period biology.

"Miss Swan, Mister Cullen, please go to your next class." Mr. Graham looked annoyed with me already. He's not going to like me at all. And just like he read my own mind, he thought "God, I already hate that kid."

Bella gathered her stuff and placed her books into her bag. She walked out the back door of the building and rounded the corner of the gym. I kept up easily, even though her speed started to appear the closer she got to the gym.

We were away from all of the students, standing where some woods bordered the back of Northmont High School. She was wearing clothes very similar to her original style. The only difference was they may have been higher quality.

After what felt like hours of silence, Bella took a deep breath and spoke very quietly. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm receiving an education." It was sarcastic but I couldn't understand her question; well, actually I couldn't understand why she asked it. I thought there were more pressing matters to discuss, for example: us and our daughter. But still I remained silent.

"You don't seem that surprised to see me." It wasn't a question and I could tell she had a theory.

"I am surprised. But a little bird told me to expect it."

"Alice?" She knew it wasn't Alice, I could tell by her tone.

"No."

She stared for a long time, although it was probably only a few seconds. "Renesmee." Again, it wasn't a question, she knew the answer.

"Yes. Why didn't you tell me?"

Her eyes flashed for a second and I knew she was trying to control her thoughts. She wasn't sure if I hearing them or not. After a moment without a reaction from me, she relaxed. She was obviously relieved that she was still immune to my power.

"You left me. Excuse me, if I didn't tell you you're a father."

"I didn't mean it like that." I dropped my head. This wasn't what I wanted. I wanted to hold her. I wanted to tell her I loved her and that I was sorry. "I can explain."

"Please do." Her words were polite but her tone was anything but.

"I lied."

"What?"

"I lied to you. I lied when I told you I didn't want you. I lied when I told you I didn't love you. I want you. I love you. I always have."

"What?" Her face was cold and looked confused. I started stepping closer to her but she took a few steps back in return to mine.

"I lied because I wanted to protect you from my world."

She laughed. Why is she laughing? This can't be good.

"You lied to protect me from your world. You told me you didn't love me and that you didn't want me because you wanted to protect me from your world. Well that plan worked out fabulously, Edward." The sarcasm was thick.

"Bella-"

"No." She held up a hand and I immediately froze. "Don't even say anything right now." She was growling. Bella was growling. "I don't care about what you want to say right now. Yes, we have a daughter, but that is all we have together." My heart broke. "Be a father to her and I will deal with it but beyond that… we're done. We've been done for twenty years."

She turned away from me and ran into the woods. I wanted to call after her. I wanted to run after her. But my feet were cemented to the cold ground.

A/N: Did I deliver or what? LOL!

Okay, I am updating early because I felt so bad about teasing everyone, plus all of you took it really well and only one person threatened me; with rotten tomatoes no less, ;)

I'm gonna try to update ASAP but I think I'm done writing for the day. So enjoy!

BTW, I was really inspired to write this part by the song "Stay" by SafetySuit. The lyrics explain it all: "Something must have made you say that; what did I do, to make you say that to me. Something must have made you so mad; what can I do, to make you say come back to me."

As always, Read, Review, and Ask! I love your comments, keep them coming!

~kmwhyte