Disclaimer: Mesa no owns nothing.

August 2012

"Renesmee," I speak quietly as I enter my sleeping daughter's room. I smile enjoying the rare moment. Normally Nesse wakes up with the rising sun rested, and excited to see what the day will bring.

Walking silently to her side I kneel beside her bed staring into the face of my own personal angel. Auburn curls spill over her pillow in soft waves. Her chest raises and falls gently with each of her slow even breaths. I hate to awaken her from such a restful slumber, but it must be done.

"Renesmee," I whisper lovingly in her ear as I gently sweep her hair from her warm brow. "Baby you need to wake up, Jacob will be here in twenty minutes to pick you up for school." Strong arms wrap gently around my waist as I smile down at my gorgeous miracle of a daughter. She growls and rolls over burring her head under her pillow and tossing her arms over both sides to press it down tighter trying to block out the world.

"Sleeping beauty doesn't wish to be awakened I see." Edward whispers, his lips caressing my ear as he speaks. "Let me try."

Turning in his arms I wrap my own around his waist pressing my lips to his in a gentle kiss that shows every ounce of my love for him. Edward's lips curl up in a crooked grin as a glint shines in his eye. "Do your worst my love."

The air is filled with movement as the antique quilt my great grandmother made for my gran is delicately but quickly thrown across the room in a blur of blues and greens. A flash of purple follows as Nesse's sheet lands in the corner of the room.

"DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Nesse shrieks as Edward tickles her warm feet with his ice cold fingers. Nesse's crystal laughter bounces from every wall as she wiggles. She tries desperately to get away from her father before grabbing her pillow and hitting him over the head repeatedly.

Gasping for breath and red faced from laughing so hard she bats one last time at Edward missing his head by a mile as he flies across the room to stand innocently at the door. "Alright, alright I'm getting up. God you would think I wasn't surrounded by the super speedy undead the way you worry about me being late." Nesse growls as she reluctantly sits up against the headboard scowling at us.

I walk back up to Nesse's bed side, her hot chocolate and honey nut cheerios on a tray held out like a peace offering. "Forgive us baby, we are just nervous. It's not every day your little girl starts high school."

"Yayaya Mom, I know. I've only been hearing it for the last two weeks. I don't see why I even need to go, between dad's music and english lessons, Grandpa's math and science, and Grandma's foreign language lessons I probably know more than most of the teachers there. Jake's already been through high school once is it really fair to make him go through it again?" Nesse complains for the thousandth time this month.

Her ability to argue only being outmatched by her father's stubbornness. Myself and everyone else in the house including Jake have been willing to secede to her desire to skip formal schooling weeks ago, but not Edward. He is insistent that she have a normal high school experience.

Nesse takes the bowl of somewhat soggy cheerios from the night-stand moaning quietly. A smile spreads across her lips as the sweet goop touches her tongue. "Thanks Mom," She whispers quietly enough to be missed by human ears. A skill she has nearly perfected and one I must admit has proven very useful at times.

Her eyes land upon the image reflected from the large floor to ceiling mirror directly behind me. Nesse's eyes bulge as her mouth opens and a piercing scream fills the room for a second time in less than five minutes. "Aunt Rosalie," Her voice rises incredibly in pitch as she sets the now forgotten cereal on the bedside table and frantically tries to run her fingers through her tangled curls. "Help!"

Rosalie's laughter precedes her into the room. "Don't worry Nesse Alice called last week and gave me a shopping list for possible first day of school disasters." Rose sat on the edge of Nesse's unmade bed patting the spot beside her in a motherly fashion before reaching into an enormous black shopping bag with the insignia of a French Salon on the side and pulling out bottle after bottle of beauty products.

"We'll get you taken care of." Her face scrunches up as she very gently attempts to pull a broad tooth comb through the tangled mess. Looking over at me with a twinkle in her eye before pulling an exaggeratedly disgusted face "This must come from your mom's genes a vampire's hair is never this bad."

Rosalie dodges the pillow lofted at her head by Edward with ease. "Come on Bella let's leave the girls to their fun."

Taking Edward's hand in mine I can't help but feel a little sad at how fast Nesse has grown up. From her first time communicating with us to her first steps, to the day we realized she knew everything that Jake's imprinting on her meant had all gone far to quickly. My little girl who should be just learning how to push herself on a swing was upstairs putting on lipstick and eyeliner talking with her aunt about whether or not she will fit in at the posh private school we have selected for her in Seattle.

As we descend the stairs my hand trailing lightly over the hand rail out of habit left over from my far less graceful human days a familiar stench fills the air. A loud banging rattles the heavy solid oak front door.

"Come in Jake." Edward states simply. His hand tightening around my own almost imperceptibly as Jake bounds through the front door a bright smile lighting his face.

"Morning Bella," He strides up to me wrapping me in a tight hug before backing away slightly scrunching his nose up in his customary tease. "Smelling lovely today as always."

"Oh shut up Jake." I reply unable to keep the giggle out of my voice as I slap his shoulder. "And what have we told you about knocking on the door? Esme will send you to a furrier if you break another door. Just come in."

"Sorry sorry," He answers wearing a face of mock repentance. "But seriously if you'd seen what I saw in the field that day you would knock before entering any room your sister and brother might be in."

"We all know you liked it Mutt." Emmett shouts as he flies down the stairs landing a playful punch on Jake's shoulder throwing him back across the room. "Hey Mutt, no offense but Rose and I are taking my car. I'd let you ride with us but you know... the upholstery and all. You understand right?"

"Like I'd want to be stuck in the same car as you sick smelly leeches." Jake quips back, his smile radiant as he continues to trade insults with Emmett.

"Arhum, if you two boys are done playing we're ready to go now." Rosalie announces from the top of the stairs standing in front of Nesse and blocking everyone's view.

Both Jake and Emmett hang their heads in mock shame. With glowing smiles they answer at the same time. "We're done."

A sharp whistle rings loudly in my ears as Rose walks slowly down the stairs toward Emmett. Edward and I share a look before glaring at Jake who is still staring shamelessly at Nesse who stands blushing at the head of the stairs. Quicker than I thought he could move in his human form Jake is at her side holding her small hand in his huge one.

"You ready for today?" He asks softly.

"Yah," Nesse answers standing on tip toe to kiss his cheek lightly. "Dad says I won't have any class alone. I'll be fine." She answers, her voice only shaking slightly with uncertainty.

Nesse and Jake walk hand in hand down the stairs slowly. I step forward Edward's hand still firmly in my own . Letting go of him I wrap my arms around Nesse kissing her forehead sweetly before staring in her eyes and feeling the venom burning behind my eyelids. "You are going to do great baby. I'll be here when you get home; I can't wait to hear everything."

I quickly hug Jake whispering in his ear to softly for Nesse's somewhat less acute hearing. "Take care of her for me Jake." Letting go of him to return to Edward's side he nods with a small smirk in Edward's direction. Edward's arm slides around my waist a little harshly as he hears whatever pointed thought Jake throws in his direction. I shake my head as I wonder if those two will ever stop.

A cloud of dust fills the air as Emmett and Jake's cars fly away down the driveway toward Seattle. "Do you really think we have made the right decision sending her to high school?" I ask as Edward and I turn to re-enter the house. "She may look and act fifteen but she is still so young."

"She'll be fine Bella. Jake and Emmett would never let anything happen to her and Rose is almost as protective of her as you are. You know she's not going to allow any girls to give her a hard time. We have to let her grow up Bella; as hard as that may be." Edward answers softly pulling me into a gentle embrace before kissing the top of my head.

Rocking softly and holding me close to his chest he hums the one song he knows will ease my nerves no matter how stressed I am. "Please play for me." I whisper snuggling in even closer.

Turning me in his arms so my back is pressed against his chest with his arms wrapped snugly around my waist. "Any time you wish my love." He answers sweetly as we walk slowly toward the grand piano. I settle myself comfortably on the bench beside him leaning my head against his shoulder. With my eyes shut I let the music carry me back to the first time he played my song. How I had so desperately longed for the perfect life I have now, never imagining just how wonderful it would be.

The small cell phone in my back pocket vibrates annoyingly drawing me away from my sweet reminiscing. Swiftly removing it from my pocket and glancing at the caller id I answer it before the first ring has finished. "Hello Alice." I answer so very happy to be hearing from her. I miss my best friend and sister more than I could have ever imagined possible. The house has seemed empty without her bubbly person filling it with ringing laughter. Everyone's wardrobes have definitely missed her loving touch. "How is everything in Denali?"

"Good, we miss everyone so much. It is hard to be away from the family even if it is necessary." She answers. "Hey, did you get that little black dress I sent?"

"Um, yes. It's beautiful. I assume there is a reason I need it?" I answer smiling at the memory of Emmett's face when he walked in the cottage just after I had finished putting it on to see how I looked in it.

"Can't I just buy my favorite sister something special because I love her and she is the best and I miss her terribly ?" Alice pouts. I can almost see her lower lip jutting out playfully as her eyes twinkle with a knowing mischief.

My hand resting on my hip, I cock my head in a doubting position just as I would if she were standing right next to me during our conversation. My eyes close as I imagine her response. "Alice," I reprimand lightly pushing for the truth behind the beautiful dress.

"Alright alright, you win. Wear it next Thursday night. Oh and don't let Edward see it before then!" She giggles. "You are going to love it. I promise."

I scream jumping up and down before I can even realize I am doing it. Edward stares at me in shock because of my erratic behaviour. I wave him off quickly before squealing in to the phone. "You got your visions back!"

"Mhm!" Alice answers pleased. "They returned before we even made it here. I still obviously can't see anything that involves Nesse or Jacob, but I am seeing events involving everyone else again." Her voice sounds very relieved.

"How are your headaches?" I ask concerned. Alice and Jasper had fought leaving the family so hard. They had managed to stay for almost three years after Nesse's birth, but finally they had admitted defeat. Alice's blindness around Nesse and Jacob had been difficult enough to manage. They had resorted to month long vacations on their own every few months to give Alice some relief. Eventually even those breaks had proven to not be enough. She had begun suffering from hideous, debilitating headaches months ago. They would leave her completely handicapped and unable to function at even the most basic level. It was then that Jasper and Carlisle called the family together and came up with the idea of Alice and Jasper moving to Denali temporarily to see if some distance would be a cure.

"They are gone Bella," Alice chirps. I can just see her bouncing up and down slightly with that happy declaration. "Completely gone!"

"I am so happy to hear that, Alice." I tell her. "I miss having you around, but I never want to see you in that much pain ever again. Hey, Edward and I were talking the other night about maybe leaving Nesse with the rest of the family and coming up for a visit sometime next month."

Silence rings down the lines as I wait to hear Alice's response. Nothing but dead air greets my patience.

Alice gasps breaking the calm quiet. "Bella we need to hang up. Your going to get a phone call. You need to be away from the house where no one can hear your conversation when you answer it. You have to go Bella. You have to say yes. Don't even think of saying no! I gotta go. Love you."

"I love you too Alice." I answer still a little stunned by the sudden outburst. I have become so unaccustomed to Alice's spells of silence and sudden declarations, but I know better than to not listen to her warnings. Her visions have saved my life too many times for there to be any doubt, even now when my life is no longer in question. "I miss you." I whisper before hanging up the phone.

I turn to Edward who sits staring at me with questions burning in his eyes after only hearing one side of our conversation. "I need to go hunting." I state simply.

"Do you want me to come with you?" He asks taking my hand in his.

Quickly I paste a smile on my face and squeeze his hand reassuringly. "No baby, I just need some time alone. I'll tell you about it when I get home." I bring his hand to my lips kissing it softly before letting it go.

Edward nods slightly with a worried expression before turning back to the piano and playing a soft lilting composition. I turn toward the door pausing in the foyer to look into the kitchen where Esme sits at the kitchen table pouring over blue prints for a new renovation she is planning somewhere up North. "I'm going out for a bit Esme. I'll be back before Nesse gets home from school."

"Okay sweetie." She calls from the table.

I close the heavy door behind me and take off into the forest trying to put as much distance between me and the house as I can. Alice said to make sure no one can hear my conversation. Alice knows best. I sit on a rock cliff my feet dangling over the edge as I wait for the coming call.

A soft breeze swirls my long hair around my face as my cell phone begins to buzz in my pocket.

"Hello?"

AN: So... Like it... Hate it.... let me know. Little button down there is for that. And for those of you gagging at the Edward Bella scene. Sorry, really I am but it was necessary, truly. This story will eventually be Belice. Patience is appreciated. :P But seriously, reviews make me happy happy happy so PLEASE!