Chapter One: Rematches

It has been almost a year since the Volturi left us, however temporarily, in peace. Many things had changed and yet some things would always remain the same. I still could not get my fill of my husband during the nights. Nor could I ever tire of watching my beautiful Renesmee, learning and growing so fast. Even asleep she was fascinating to watch, and it would be so even could I not see her dreams.

Already more intelligent than most adults, Renesmee effortlessly merges our family and the packs in a way that would never otherwise be possible. The only member of the pack yet to warm to her was Leah. She was hesitate to allow herself any more reason to become loyal to our family, and since to know Renesmee is to love her Leah stayed as far away as she could. Which wasn't as far as she might have liked because Seth struck up a fast friendship with Renesmee. They considered themselves siblings already even though Alice hadn't seen a proposal from Charlie yet.

Charlie still liked to be kept in the dark about most things mythical but it was becoming harder and harder for him to ignore Nessie's quick advancement. She was very skilled at easing Charlie's anxiety and revealing only the minimum. Tensions between Charlie and Billy evaporated after the confrontation with the Volturi. Billy, I believed, did not want to waste what little time he had in his life by being indignant towards his closest friend. Especially when he knew he should want to be happy for him.

Charlie had just left with Sue (Seth in tow) for dinner at Billy's when Emment walked into the living room announcing that it was time for a "fair" arm wrestling rematch. Everyone turned their attention towards us. As I rose from the couch I pushed my sheild away and asked Edward, what do you think? I got an ear-to-ear grin as a response. I was approaching the year mark so I knew my strength was returning to normal, or vampire normal anyway. Emmett seemed confident that he had surpassed my strength and despite Edward's apparent confidence I still felt a little nervous. If I were human my palms would be dewing with sweat. However, this body would never betray me that way so, flashing a smile at Emmett, I crossed the room and flew out to the backyard with Emmett right behind. Alice, holding Renesmee's hand followed at a more leisurely pace with Edward on their heels.

Knocking down a massive tree, Emmett perched on his knees, throwing his elbow down on the trunk and his hand in the air. Grinning, he asked me, "You ready for this my tame little sister?"

Narrowing my eyes I took my place across from him and gripped his hand. "On the count of three..." Renesmee announced. "One... Two..." I began to feel Emmett start pushing, "Three!" Grinning at me I could feel Emmett building up to his full force and it still amazed me sometimes, this new strength. Emmett seemed to take my hesitation for confidence but really I could sit here, maybe forever, and never get tired. So, an idea came to me. Emmett pushed my arm, centimeter by centimeter, towards the tree bark and grinned wider and wider as he went. Finally, ready to wipe the smirk off his face, I barked out a short laugh and threw his arm down splitting the tree trunk in half.

Jumping up, and looking between me, smirking at him, and Renesmee clapping and squealing he picks up the broken log and flings it across the clearing and into another tree. Growling he tells me, "Next time I won't make it so easy for you" and darts off into the trees. Laughing, I twirl Renesmee around and then fold her into my arms.

Placing her hand on my face she gave me a replay of Emmett's temper-tantrum, concern coloring her thoughts. Removing her hand from my face Edward kisses her fingers.

"Don't worry love, Emmett's just a sore loser is all, his ego will recover from the blow eventually."

A/N: As you may already know (but just in case you don't) I am not Stephenie Meyer, and therefore do not own the characters, or the Twilight Saga. However, these thoughts are my own. Please R&R.

Thanks, Gabbi