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

EPOV

It only took about ten minutes for me to get to my house from Bella's. I drove slower than normal; although it was still well above the speed limit.

As we pulled into the driveway, I began hearing my family's thoughts. They had no idea why I wanted them all here waiting for me; and some of them were very curious, while others were just a bit irritated that I was keeping secrets.

I heard Rosalie the most clearly; she must have been at a window. "Finally. Who's that with him?"

I shut out her thoughts quickly. I was eager for them to meet Renesmee, but I was also somewhat anxious for their reaction. I had no doubt that they would love her, but I wasn't so sure how they'd act towards me.

I shut off the car and flew to Renesmee's door. When I opened it, she was just sitting there staring out the windshield. She hadn't said much in the car and anytime I heard her thinking she was worrying about whether Bella was okay or not.

"Renesmee, we're here." I held out my hand to help her out of the car and to give her a little emotional support.

"I'm scared, Dad." She didn't look at me or say anything more, but her thoughts were many. "What if they don't like me? What if they don't want to know me? I wish Mom was here…"

I bent down so our eyes were on the same level, now that she was looking at me. "Renesmee, they will love you. Trust me. They're curious and anxious, but only because I haven't told them anything. So I'll need to explain and they'll be shocked, but once that wears off… they probably won't let you leave for days. Trust me, honey, they'll love you." I said it as fiercely as I could. I was certain of the truth in my words.

"You still didn't tell them anything, but Aunt Alice…" She took my hand and I helped her out of the car.

"Alice kind of got it out of me last night, but no one else knows. I thought it would be easier to believe if they saw you. You're not exactly a common occurrence, Renesmee."

I shut her door and held my arm over her shoulders as she nodded. We walked up the front steps and stopped in front of the door. "You ready? They are all in the living room. Rosalie told them I was back."

She took a deep breath. "I'm ready, Dad. Just don't let go." She took my hand in hers and I opened the door.

Carlisle and Esme were sitting on the sofa while Jasper was in one of the armchairs farthest from the door. Rosalie and Emmett were standing near the staircase. All their thoughts hit me at once.

Emmett. "What the hell? He brought a human; oh crap, Rose is gonna freak."

Rosalie. "A human! What is he thinking? I'm gonna kill him." Rose took a step forward but Emmett held her back by her shoulders.

Carlisle. "Oh Edward… What did you do?"

Esme. "She's lovely but… She's looks so much like…" Esme forced a smile, but I could see her looking to Carlisle for his leadership.

Jasper. "That's not Bella, although she looks similar. Alice said it was Bella. Oh, Rose is pissed." Jasper looked at Rose then, as did everyone.

Renesmee tightened her grip on my hand. She was stronger than a human, but it couldn't hurt me. I squeezed her hand back and then stepped forward into the living room.

When we were about five feet from the sofa, I looked at Renesmee and then back to my family.

"I'm not sure how to correctly introduce this information so I'm just going to say this. Please," I looked to Rosalie. "Stay calm. This is Renesmee. She is my daughter."

It was silent for nearly five minutes; and there were nearly no thoughts to be heard for nearly two. Slowly, the thoughts became known; some with a vengeance.

Emmett. "Holy shit, Edward! You've got to be kidding me? When the hell did you lose your 'virtue?'" Leave it Emmett to get under my skin with this kind of news.

Rosalie. "Daughter? Edward has a child… I'll kill him!" Rosalie's mind was so irate, I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason for her anger, but I had a feeling it had to do with the fact that I had the one thing that she had always wanted.

Carlisle. "…daughter? She looks about seventeen… this is impossible. I need more information, Edward." He was calm, but still completely shell-shocked.

Esme. "Oh my. I don't know how this is possible. I don't understand. How does he have a daughter? How is that possible? Who is the mother?" Esme's mind was going a million miles a minute trying to grasp the situation, yet she seemed to believe the declaration the most.

Jasper. "Wow. I think I understand, but this still doesn't make any sense. Please explain, Edward; their confusion is deafening."

I nodded at Jasper and walked closer. I led Renesmee to the second sofa that sat across from Esme and Carlisle. She sat, but still refused to let go of my hand so I decided to sit as well.

"I know this is a lot. There's a lot to explain and a lot of questions being asked, but I don't know how to answer them all in some speech or monolouge. This isn't something I expected because I had no idea she existed until yesterday." I looked at Renesmee again and she seemed to relax.

"I'd feel better if one of them would talk; are they okay?" Renesmee asked silently and I nodded to her.

"Edward." I looked to Carlisle as he spoke. "I think I speak for everyone when I say we are simply… shocked. I don't believe there is a better word to fit this situation. But, I'm sure I'm not the only wondering; how?" Everyone else seemed to nod, although Rosalie glared at the same time.

"I don't know all the details of how it's possible. But I do know how it happened. Bella and I were intimate before her birthday and … we conceived Renesmee." I didn't want to have this conversation with my entire family. I had no problem telling Carlisle, or even Esme, but I certainly didn't want Emmett to make any comments about it. Unfortunately, I wasn't lucky in that area.

"So Bella, huh? Wow, always knew she could take on a monster." He laughed, but quickly silenced himself when Esme shot him a glare.

Esme asked the next question, which was already being thought by everyone, except Jasper. "Where is Bella?" She looked hopeful, but her thoughts were scared.

"Mom's okay. She's with Aunt Alice at home. She said she'd be here soon." Renesmee responded before I could. Everyone was shocked that she spoke, but instantly felt relieved to know that Bella was well.

Everyone continued to stare at Renesmee. "Dad, did I do something wrong?" I heard her thoughts followed by Jasper acknowledging that she was getting anxious and scared.

I squeezed her hand. "No, they're happy that your mom is fine and they're just a little shocked that you're here. It's fine." She nodded, but still was frightened that she made a bad impression.

Esme stood up then. "Renesmee, right?" Renesmee nodded. "I'm sorry we're talking like you're not here. Like Edward said, we are shocked. But… I am so glad to meet you." Esme walked closer when Renesmee smiled at her.

"Edward, is it okay if I go closer? I don't want to frighten her, but I want to hug her." I nodded to Esme,but decided it best to give Renesmee some warning as well.

"Renesmee, Esme really wants to hug you." She laughed, but then got up to meet Esme halfway.

"You are so beautiful dear. I'm so glad you're here." Esme cooed to her while she hugged her lightly.

"Me too. I've wanted to meet you for a while, Grandma." Esme gasped, which caused Renesmee to lean back. "Is that okay? I can call you Esme if you want. That's just what I always called you when Mom and I talked about you."

Esme caressed Renesmee's cheek. "I would love for you to call me Grandma, Renesmee." They took each other's hands and Renesmee led her back to the sofa where I was sitting. She smiled as she sat between her grandmother and me.

"Well, it seems that we have a lot of questions to cover and a lot of time to make up for. But maybe we should save the big questions until your mother comes." Carlisle suggested and I agreed. I didn't want to overwhelm her.

"That sounds good. I probably don't know everything." Renesmee replied, but mentally she was fearful that she might say something that Bella didn't want to share.

"Okay, that's settled. Can I assume though that you are not a vampire?"

"Not fully. I'm a half-breed; a hybrid. I have a heartbeat and can eat food to live, but I also drink blood. And I'm immortal." Renesmee laughed at her classification.

"You're immortal?" Emmett said while ushering Rosalie to the sofa. He wanted to get closer, as did she.

"Yeah, I've been this age for about twelve years. It's weird." Renesmee looked down, but Esme lifted her chin up and kissed her cheek.

"You have looked like a high school student since you were… eight?" Rosalie was finding the knowledge baffling, but was at least losing some of her rage towards me.

"Yeah, I grew really fast and then I just stopped." Renesmee looked to me and I nodded. "I can show you, but I need to touch your face. And I can only show one or two of you at a time."

"Two?" I questioned.

"Yeah, two hands." She held up her hands and smiled.

"Well, I want to see." Renesmee turned and held a hand to Esme's cheek.

She began to show her memories of herself looking in a mirror. "Here's me after I was born, with Mom." Bella was holding her, smiling, in front of a glass window. The Forks house… "Here's me when I was about three." She showed Esme a vision of her trying on a shirt of Bella's, I assumed. She nearly fit. "Here's me when I was six." She looked about fifteen. "And here's me when I was ten." She was fully grown and looked nearly identical to what she looks like now ,except for her hair being slightly longer; maybe two inches.

"Amazing." Esme was completely fascinated.

Renesmee looked over to Carlisle. "Yes, please Renesmee. I would love to see." She smiled and walked over to the other sofa. She held a hand out to Carlisle.

"Me too, little girl!" Emmett laughed as Renesmee blushed. "Oh man, I hope your mom still does that."

Renesmee proceeded to show both Carlisle and Emmett the same memories that she showed Esme.

"Incredible, that is a remarkable gift; simply amazing." Carlisle smiled during the entire event and was astounded with what he saw. I could hear the questions crossing his mind, only to be followed by more. He was in doctor mode with his curiosity, but was also so enthralled with Renesmee that he was hoping she would call him 'grandpa.'

"That is crazy. You turned into a knockout in eight years." Always the respectful gentlemen; Emmett. I glared, but Renesmee simply giggled at the comment.

"Do you want to see Aunt Rosalie?" Renesmee was slightly worried since she hadn't said much. She was afraid that she didn't like her because of the fierce looks she had been shooting my way.

"Of course, Renesmee. I absolutely want to see." Rosalie smiled at her and I could hear the fear in her own thoughts. She was fearful that Renesmee wouldn't want to show her. She was afraid that Bella had said awful things about her and that Renesmee would hate her. But she didn't have to worry; I knew Bella would never talk badly about the family. She hadn't even told Renesmee the horrible things that I had done to her.

"Uncle Jasper?" Jasper looked to me. His thoughts clear.

"I won't hurt her. Even if she smelled like a human, I would never hurt my niece. I promise, Edward." I nodded as he stood to move to the arm of the sofa next to Rosalie.

Renesmee played the memories for a third time.

"That was… I don't think there are words for that.,." Jasper looked to me. "She's… unbelievable, Edward.

"You were a beautiful little girl, Renesmee. You still are." Rosalie stood up and made a move to hug Renesmee, but stopped short; afraid that Renesmee would not welcome the gesture. But Renesmee just nodded her head and moved her arms around Rosalie herself.

"Thanks. You're more beautiful than the pictures. Mom was right." Renesmee whispered, but we all heard.

Rosalie pulled back, but kept her hands on Renesmee's shoulders. "About what?" She was happy that Renesmee had taken to her, but was still scared that Bella may have held a grudge.

"That you're pretty; just like your name." Renesmee laughed and then showed her the memory of Bella explaining who Rosalie was. I could only assume that she was describing everyone, but she only showed the part about Rosalie.

Rosalie smiled and relaxed back down into Emmett's waiting arms.

Renesmee walked back to the sofa and sat in between Esme and me, again. But she jumped up only a second later when Alice and Bella opened the door.

"Bella!" A chorus from the family greeted her as she walked in. I'm sure that if she could have, she would have blushed.

Emmett. "Damn, no more blushes. At least Renesmee will fill that void." He laughed at his own thoughts.

Esme walked over to Bella and Alice let go of her hand to go sit on Jasper's lap after she kissed Renesmee's cheek on her way.

"Bella, it is so good to see you, although I wish we could have been together all this time. You look lovely. And your daughter is precious." Esme hugged Bella tightly.

"Thank you, Esme. You know, I named her after you and my mom?" Bella pulled back to look into her eyes.

"Thank you." Esme couldn't say anything else at the sentiment; she was simply overcome, and so she settled for another fierce hug.

Carlisle walked over to them and Renesmee sat on the arm of the sofa next to me. "Bella."

Bella approached Carlisle and then flew into his waiting arms. She didn't have that reaction to me… "Hi Carlisle, I've missed you."

"We've missed you and apparently, we've missed a great deal of events as well." He looked to Renesmee and smiled.

"I know, I can explain-"

Carlisle cut her off. "It's fine. We have questions, of course, but right now we just want to welcome you back."

"Thank you."

"She's perfectly at ease now. She was so anxious before, I thought she might bolt." Jasper commented mentally.

"Hey little sis, when'd you stop breathing?" Emmett stood up and picked Bella up off the floor in a hug. "Now I can squeeze all I want and you won't break." They both laughed. Bella squeezed him as well and giggled when he gasped at her strength. "Damn, you're stronger than I thought." She wasn't a match for him though.

"Hi Jasper, Rosalie." Jasper waved at Bella and said hello. He was nervous of her response to him if he should approach. Rosalie smiled and considered approaching her but decided she would save the conversation she wanted to have with her till she didn't have an audience.

"Sit, please Bella." Carlisle held a hand out, leading her to the sofa where Renesmee and I sat. Esme followed Carlisle back to the sofa, taking his seat while he leaned behind her.

I moved to the other end and Renesmee sat next to me to make room for Bella.

I could hear Esme's mind working. "A family… who would have guessed? I'm so happy for both of them." She hadn't realized that it wasn't what she thought.

We were quiet for several minutes before I heard Renesmee's thoughts. "Dad, say something. I'm freaking out here." I placed my hand over Renesmee's and nodded to Carlisle to begin. He had been thinking of questions but was unsure if the time was right.

"Bella, we're so curious to how Renesmee and you are here." Bella nodded. "When did you find out you were pregnant?" Bella let out a breath; probably relieved that he didn't ask how she was conceived. Thankfully, I had seemed to taken that bullet for her; with less of a conversation than I had expected.

"I figured it out almost a week after you all left. I was really sick, but I didn't put it together at first. After I figured it out, it was kind of obvious. I already had a baby bump and everything."

"So soon?" Carlisle wasn't surprised, especially after seeing Renesmee's growth.

"Yeah, I was only pregnant for about a month."

"How'd you survive?" Esme asked.

"I had help." Bella paused and looked to Renesmee, who took her hand and squeezed. "I left Charlie's house and ended up staying at yours. After a few weeks, I knew I wasn't going to be able to take care of Renesmee afterwards right away so I called Angela."

What? She called Angela? The whole family was shocked and worried that something happened to a human because of us; because of me. Alice was the one who spoke though. "You called Angela, but you didn't call me?" Alice looked hurt and I knew I had missed something.

"I'm sorry, Alice. I didn't know what to do. I just knew I needed someone to stay with her while I was transforming." Bella was pleading for Alice to understand. Alice nodded, but I heard her decide to talk to her later about it.

"You transformed during birth?" Everyone was shocked that Rosalie had asked, but relieved that the question was out there.

"Alice left me a key to a filing cabinet." Carlisle gasped and I instantly knew what she found when she opened it. Venom. "There was venom in metal syringes. All of yours. I knew I wouldn't survive giving birth. My girl here has some sharp teeth." Bella combed her fingers through Renesmee's hair lovingly. "So I decided to use the venom after she was born. I wasn't sure if it was going to work, but it was the only idea I had."

I looked to Carlisle. I was angry because he knew he left them there, but also completely thankful that he had saved her indirectly. "I had taken everyone's venom because I wanted to be prepared. I knew Edward didn't want to change you, but I also knew how strongly you felt about it, Bella. I figured that we could use a shot and pain medication if we ever needed to change you. I had everyone's in case one wasn't powerful enough. When we left, I didn't think I'd need them. I'm glad I did." Esme turned and ran her hand over his arm.

"I'm glad too, Carlisle. I wouldn't have survived without it. Angela wasn't with me twenty minutes and I went into labor. I passed out, but woke up after Renesmee bit her way through my stomach." Renesmee frowned and I heard her hoping that the family wouldn't rescind their feelings for her. "I had just enough time to inject it."

"Whose did you use?" Emmett asked and everyone eyed him. They all assumed she used my venom, but Emmett wanted to ask anyways. I, on the other hand, wasn't so sure.

Bella paused and then looked to Alice. "I used Alice's."

I looked to the floor hearing everyone's thoughts.

Alice. "Oh my god."

Rosalie. "Not Edward's? Wow."

Carlisle. "Interesting, I wouldn't have guessed that."

Esme. "Uh oh."

Jasper. "She's feeling remorse. I would have bet anything that she used Edward's."

Emmett. "Wow, so did not see that backfiring."

Everyone mentally agreed to let that little fact drop upon seeing my reaction, while Bella shifted in her seat. Renesmee was the only one that seemed at ease. "What's the big deal?"

"How was your transformation, Bella? I'm sure it was painful, but did it last long?" Carlisle asked to avoid the topic of venom.

"It hurt like hell, but a thousand times worse. But it didn't take too long. Three days, give or take a few hours. I thought it would take longer with all of the damage." Bella relaxed during her response and leaned back into the sofa.

"And you said that she bit her way out of you to be born?" Carlisle was curious beyond all measure. He didn't see Renesmee look back to the floor as the comments about her hurting Bella came to the forefront again.

"I never wanted to hurt Mom. I didn't know what else to do. It was dark and it hurt. I was so scared when I saw her like that…" I saw the memory of when Renesmee saw Bella for the first time. She looked up from the open stomach she was sitting in to see Bella whispering comforting words. But it was obvious that Bella was dying and was in a world of pain. I hugged Renesmee to me with one arm.

"It's okay, you're both fine. It's okay, I know you would never hurt her. Everyone knows that." I whispered in her ear, but I was fully aware that everyone heard the exchange.

Bella leaned over to Renesmee's ear that was now next to my cheek since she had buried her face into my neck. "Baby, it was the only way. You did what you knew to. You couldn't have helped it. I'm fine and so are you. I would do it all over again, even if I didn't survive. Don't upset yourself, Renesmee." She rubbed her back.

"Oh Renesmee, I'm so sorry. I never intended to assert that you meant your mother harm. Of course you didn't, we all know that." Carlisle was frantic to apologize. Renesmee lifted her head slightly to look at me.

"Dad, I'm sorry I got upset. I think I'm gonna go outside. I'll be around, but I don't want to listen to this, if that's okay."

"Of course, you can go outside. There are some benches out in the backyard." I didn't want her to be by herself, but she was truly upset and I needed to hear what Bella went through as well.

"Do you want me to come, sweetheart?" Bella looked like she wanted to flee as well.

"No, I just don't want to hear about it. I know what I need to know. I'll come back in a bit." Renesmee leaned down to kiss Bella's cheek and Bella nodded, somewhat defeated.

"May I join you Renesmee?" Rosalie stood up and looked directly at her. "I can hear the story from Emmett anytime. I'd rather make sure you're okay." Rosalie then looked to Bella. Bella nodded in silent approval but Renesmee didn't see.

"Yeah, I'd like that." Renesmee smiled and they walked out the back sliding glass doors.

A/N: I know you all are probably sad I stopped there, but it was just going on too long. And it was also very hard with so many characters interacting. I have tons of respect for Stephanie Meyer, because those were always my favorite moments in the books.

This will continue on to the next chapter and possibly another chapter after that. I want to break it up into smaller groups as the questions become more personal. I am definitely planning for an Alice/Bella conversation and a Bella/Edward conversation within the next two chapters depending on how the length goes.

Thank you to all of you who have reviewed. I'm nearly at 600 reviews and I'm simply ecstatic. I'm planning to write the next chapter very soon, but it will be a few days because I just got a job :) Good for me, not so much for the readers, sorry. I also want to thank Emerald Star73 for fixing so many of my mistakes. She totally rocks and everyone should read her story! THANKS!!

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

~kmwhyte