All things Twilight belong to SM.

Jeez, she finally took my hand so we could hunt. I thought I would have to drag her out of the house and force her to satisfy her thirst. But then she held my hand. I enjoyed her touch. It was almost like the first moments after we married. Although now her hand was cooler, firmer and stronger, which made our joined hands unbreakable, like our love. I admired her slim fingers and small hands, changed but mine. She was beyond spectacular then and now.

Jasper examined our emotions. I hesitated. Was she stable? Was she angry? Did she love me? He sensed my insecurities. Edward give her some time. Bella's emotions are like a roller coaster ride. She's whirled around hurt, up and down with confusion, and zipped through anger and joy; all the while screaming with thirst. She's a very dangerous newborn vampire and much too distracted to sort through her feelings for you. Don't rush her. She can't leave through the front door. The baby and Jacob are there. Take her through the window and hurry. The sooner she eats, the better she can sort through her emotions.

I nodded at Jasper and pulled Bella toward the window.

"The window?" she smirked, her eyebrows forming the familiar 'v'. Yes, she was still my Bella.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine," I encouraged my clumsy wife.

No fair helping her Edward, Emmett joked. If she can't manage a little jump from the second floor, then it's better to know now. She can't hurt anything and if she does then we can laugh about for the new hundred years. I pursed my lips at Emmett's plan. Bella would not be fodder for jokes.

"It's the most convenient exit. If you're frightened, I can carry you," I teased.

"We have all eternity, and you're worried about the time it would take to walk to the back door?" Her voice sang the words and I was momentarily lost. "Well?"

"Renesmee and Jacob are downstairs. . . ."

"Oh. Is Renesmee…okay…with Jacob there?" she shivered. She wasn't aware of how safe Nessie was with Jacob. The last she knew was that Jacob hated the baby.

"He doesn't like her much." she added.

"Trust me, she is perfectly safe. I know exactly what Jacob is thinking," without giving away the whole truth, I replied. I promised Jacob that he would tell his story, but why did I do such a thing? I owed no duty to the unscrupulous mutt.

"Of course," Bella hesitated.

Keeping this unnatural secret was not a good way to start out Bella's new life. It unnecessarily complicated things. A simple statement. "Jacob imprinted on Renesmee."

Bella deserved to know the truth. What right did Jacob have in asking me that? Jasper sensed my dilemma. No Edward, we can't risk her knowing! Get her to hunt then you can tell her anything you want.

If Jasper were right, Bella needed to eat first. I hoped it would make a difference and I also hoped it wouldn't.

Though Bella had changed, I wasn't ready to refrain from protecting her. If a ton of little white lies or half truths would protect her, then I'd tell them. She wouldn't forgive herself is she harmed Jacob.

"Stalling?" I challenged trying to keep the moment upbeat.

"A little. I don't know how. . . ."

"Watch me," I gently stepped out of the window, fell casually to the ground, and landed without a sound. I looked up and there was my angel. She leaned out the window and didn't hesitate to take a step into the open air. Her arms were spread to her side and there was a glow from the light from the window. . . . and love came down.

"Right. Easy." Bella said when she landed just as soundless next to me. She tilted her head to the window.

"Bella?" I whispered.

"Yes?"

"That was quite graceful—even for a vampire."

"Thank you," she smiled. She gracefully removed her high heels and tossed the satin stilettos through the second story window where Alice caught them.

"Her fashion sense hasn't improved as much as her balance," Alice grumbled as she leaned out of the window.

Without waiting for further audio commentary, I grabbed my angel's hands and headed toward the river. When we were far enough away from the probing eyes of our family, we stopped.

"Are we swimming?" she asked.

"And ruin your pretty dress?" I responded huskily. I wanted her out of the dress, but I knew I would have to wait. I drew my finger along the neckline and enjoyed the smooth skin beneath. I focused. "No. We're jumping."

"You first," she challenged with a sexy grin.

She wanted me but now wasn't the time. I needed to distract her. A game of 'monkey see monkey do' was needed. I rocked my body back onto my hind foot and took two short bounds forward, leapt across the river, flipped my body and landed on the other side.

"Show-off," she muttered.

I laughed and waited to hear her steps. After a few seconds, I wondered if she decided to swim or needed further example.

"Bella? Do you want to watch again?" I called. The sound of cloth tearing rang out over the sounds in the forest. Then she flew over me and landed in the tree above.

"Was that good?" she wondered. Her excitement bubbled through her tinkling voice. It seemed she liked being in the air.

"Very good." I smiled. Yes, it was very good indeed but she needed to hunt.

"Can we do it again?"

"Focus, Bella—we're on a hunting trip."

"Oh, right." she nodded, her chestnut curls bouncing. "Hunting."

It was time to play. "Follow me . . . if you can."

I ran. I knew I was faster, but she was stronger. I wanted to test her speed. She pumped her legs so that each of my steps equaled three of hers. She was by my side and I slowed down so that we were side by side. I rejoiced at the thrill of running and was grateful to share it with her.

She was graceful as a gazelle, no longer the clumsy lamb. I fought my desire and stopped. She didn't immediately register that I was no longer by her.

"Bella," I called her to me. She whirled and skipped lightly to my side.

"Did you want to stay in the country? Or were you planning to continue on to Canada this afternoon?" I teased.

"This is fine," she agreed. "What are we hunting?"

"Elk. I thought something easy for your first time . . ." I recognized the trepidation in her face.

"Where?" she asked, her eyes panned the area answering the urgent call of her parched throat.

I placed my hands on her shoulders. "Hold still for a minute. Now close your eyes," I murmured unable to stop from gently stroking her cheekbone.

"Listen," I instructed. "What do you hear?"

She listened. There was not a sound within miles that she couldn't hear. I listened as well to the bend of a leaf at the winds moved under the wings of a butterfly. I waited for her to hear the thumping blood near the creek.

"By the creek, to the northeast?" she asked, her eyes remained closed.

I smiled at her realization. "Yes. Now . . . wait for the breeze again and . . . what do you smell?"

Like her hearing, she smelled everything within miles. She needed to distinguish the rich, earthy smell of insects, the nearby water — and she grinned when she found the scent. It was a warm smell, rich and tangy, stronger than the other odors. I knew it would not appeal to her thirst, but it was what she needed. Her nose wrinkled automatically.

I chuckled. "I know — it takes some getting used to."

"Three?" she guessed.

"Five. There are two more in the trees behind them."

"What do I do now?"

"What do you feel like doing? Don't think about it," I encouraged. "Just follow your instinct." I released her and took a step back. I was expectant, excited and nervous, much like a wildlife conservationist felt as an rescued lion was released back into the wild.

Bella drifted toward the scent, her body tilted downward to a crawl. Her eyes snapped open wider to see a big buck, two dozen antler points crowning his head, at the stream's edge, and the shadow-spotted shapes of the four others heading eastward into the forest at a leisurely pace.

It was time to sate her thirst. I was right to test her with elk. They were slow docile animals and it would be an easy kill for her powerful muscles. I watched as her instinct took over and she rocked back into her crouched position. The wind shifted and blew stronger from the south. With the wind came a new scent, one more tantalizing.

Bella didn't recognize that it was a prohibitive prey. She plunged out of the trees in a path perpendicular to the stream, scaring the elk into the forest. She raced after the new fragrance. She had no choice. It was compulsory.

I was careless. She awoke less than an hour ago and I messed up. A newborn was erratic, uncontrollable and impulsive. Her thirst forced her to the new, more enticing scent, but I couldn't allow her to indulge her hunger – not with that particular prey.

We both ran towards the smell and I caught up to her. I halted my own breathing and willed the extra strength needed to prevent the kill. She was much stronger than I and infinitely more dangerous. If she defended herself or fought me for the prey – I could lose. Her thirst was too great.

I cursed the fates for this abominable situation. I was careless, I should have checked. I could allow her to take her prey or fight. In order to become the victor, I would have to harm Bella or sacrifice myself. The harpies were laughing at my dilemma.

She slowed, aware of my approach but too focused on the mesmerizing smell of blood to stop the impending attack. I remembered my own first whiff of the hypnotic scent and my own mouth watered. It was two years after my change when Carlisle allowed me to experience the temptation. My new born strength had waned and Carlisle patiently waited for me to control the urge to drink while he sat on my chest.

I decided to protect the kill. If Bella could not control herself then I would break the neck and make the kill. Bella would not be a murderer.

I quickened my approach, purposely making my steps louder. I wanted to overtake her and reach the prey first – it was the only way to turn this around.

And like so many other times, she surprised me. She stopped.

In one fluid move she spun around, crouched offensively and snarled at me. At me! I cursed at my second error of less than five minutes of our hunt. In attack position she was nothing but fiercely dangerous and heart breakingly sexy. I raised my hands in welcome. It was enough to confuse her.

She regained her control to stop her instinctual action to defend herself. Thankfully a breeze crossed her face and with it the smell of the woods replaced the enthralling, mesmerizing smell of human blood.

I stood a few feet away unsure whether she would allow me to carry her away from the people just beyond the ridge. The breeze subsided and I willed Bella to hold her breath as she rose from her defensive crouch and understanding crossed her face.

I eased toward her, ready to take her in my arms and run away from that siren smell.

"I have to get away from here," she spit through her teeth.

Surprised, I halted. "Can you leave?"

Without answering, she ran straight north, away from the humans. How was she able to stop the hunt? Damn she was incredible. I ran after her and quickly caught up. She stopped dead in her tracks and I made a ride circle back to her. I touched her shoulders and I looked into her red eyes, amazed at the creature before me.

"How did you do that?" I whispered in awe.

"You let me beat you before, didn't you?" she demanded, ignoring my question.

I watched her chest rise as she inhaled and desire welled in my belly, but I was too curious. I shook my head freeing myself of the lust, she had to tell me, answer my question."Bella, how did you do it?" My tone was one of patience.

"Run away? I held my breath," she whispered.

"But how did you stop hunting?" I clarified.

"When you came up behind me . . ." Her expression changed to contrition, "I'm so sorry about that."

"Why are you apologizing to me? I'm the one who was horribly careless. I assumed no one would be so far from the trails, but I should have checked first. Such a stupid mistake! You have nothing to apologize for."

"But I growled at you!" she looked horrified.

"Of course you did. That's only natural. But I can't understand how you ran away."

"What else could I do? It might have been someone I know!"

Yes, that's exactly what a mature, self-possessed Bella would think and I no longer hindered my glee at my wife's astounding ability. I laughed, not a simple giggle but a gut wrenching loud belly roll that bounced off the trees and resounded to the sky. I was in love with the most amazing vampire in the universe and by some miracle she loved me too.

"Why are you laughing at me?"

I stopped at once, I'd scared her – possibly even hurt her feelings. "I'm not laughing at you, Bella. I'm laughing because I am in shock. And I am in shock because I am completely amazed."

"Why?"

"You shouldn't be able to do any of this. You shouldn't be so . . . so rational. You shouldn't be able to stand here discussing this with me calmly and coolly. And, much more than any of that, you should not have been able to break off mid-hunt with the scent of human blood in the air. Even mature vampires have difficulty with that — we're always very careful of where we hunt so as not to put ourselves in the path of temptation. Bella, you're behaving like you're decades rather than days old."

"Oh," her mouth formed the tantalizing 'o'.

I needed to touch her. In awe, I placed my hands on her face and smiled. "What wouldn't I give to be able to see into your mind for just this one moment."

In consolation, she rewarded me with her touch and drew her fingers around my lips.

"I thought I wouldn't feel this way for a long time? But I still want you," her eyes half lidded. I want you too!

Amazed, I blinked. "How can you even concentrate on that? Aren't you unbearably thirsty?"

She swallowed and then sighed. The moment was lost. We had a lifetime to explore each other, but for now, she needed to hunt. I waited until her eyes closed and she focused on the hunt. A trail of something wet, warm and familiar wafted across my face. She focused and pursued the animal. I cautiously followed her as she darted through the trees. I backed off, allowing her to hunt without the distraction of my scent and desire. I heard the startled cry of a mountain lion.

When I reached the location, Bella was perched on a branch she shared with the carnivorous feline. The lion had its fangs exposed and clawed at my wife, and caused damage to her dress but not her flesh. I was in pure agony, as I watched. A mountain lion would have destroyed her alabaster skin were she human, but I forced myself to remember she was a vampire. I released my role as Bella's protector in this battle. I quickly came to terms with the revelation and watched the fight.

Bella launched herself at the feral cat and both of them fell to the forest floor. Thankfully, it wasn't much of a fight – my anxiety wouldn't have been able to withstand a long battle. She easily locked her teeth into the cat and quickly drained the blood. After she finished, she stood and attempted to clean away the mess of the hunt.

"Hmm,"was all I managed after watching her hunt, drink and stand exposed by her torn clothing – it was an erotic moment.

"I guess I could have done that better?" she exclaimed. She was covered in dirt, hair knotted, and her dress was bloodstained and hanging in tatters.

"You did perfectly fine, it's just that . . . it was much more difficult for me to watch than it should have been."

She raised an eyebrow, confused.

"It goes against the grain, letting you wrestle with lions," I explained. "I was having an anxiety attack the whole time."

"Silly."

"I know. Old habits die hard. I like the improvements to your dress, though." My eyes roamed at the sparkling flesh of her torso. Yes, I liked it very much indeed.

"Why am I still thirsty?" she swallowed dryly.

"Because you're young," I answered soothingly.

She sighed. "And I don't suppose there are any other mountain lions nearby?"

I shook my head, "plenty of deer, though."

She made a face. "They don't smell as good."

"Herbivores. The meat-eaters smell more like humans," I explained, hoping it would be enough to satisfy her thirst.

"Not that much like humans," she disagreed.

"We could go back," I challenged with a smile, glaring at the flesh peeping through the tattered dress. "Whoever it was out there, if they were men, they probably wouldn't even mind death if you were the one delivering it. In fact, they would think they were already dead and gone to heaven the moment they saw you."

She rolled my eyes and snorted. "Let's go hunt some stinking herbivores."

We found a herd and I joined in the feast. My thirst was subdued, but I continued to feed, hoping to diminish the desire for something other than blood. I wanted something warm and soft and Bella. When I finished my third elk, I caught Bella watching me.

"No longer thirsty?" I asked.

She shrugged and I was certain I could see a faint blush come to her face. "You distracted me. You're much better at it than I am."

"Centuries of practice," I boasted.

"Just one."

I laughed at her correction and joy welled in my silent heart. My Bella was more. "Are you done for today? Or did you want to continue?"

"Done, I think." She cocked her head to the side, deep in thought and then said, "I want to see Renesmee."

My heart continued to swell with happiness. It was time for my wife and daughter to meet. In minutes I would hold them both. I reached for Bella's firm glistening hand and she rewarded me by obliging. Mine.

With our hands linked, she caressed my face with her other hand. The furnace heat of her touch was absent and I missed it. My head automatically nuzzled into her head and the feeling was more than the old touch. I felt her gentle soothing cupping and it was familiar, as if it was always there but hidden. I decided that I didn't miss her hot touch because it was so distracting and I was forced to control myself.

I relaxed into her hand and rejoiced that I was no longer constrained, so I reveled in my wife's touch. It was a faint hint of touches to come.

She reached and took me in her arms. This would be our first private embrace, I welcomed the moment – no longer curious as to her ability to control her actions or frightened if I couldn't control mine. She'd always pushed us to explore our love and I had been the stronger of our pairing but now she proved her strength with her gentle touch.

And in true Bella-like fashion, she ignored self preservation and urgently pressed her body to mine. She was strong, and curiously, I felt secure in her arms, although she was the strongest vampire I'd ever met. My desire for her welled and I relentlessly took in her taste to my lips and inhaled her scent. I reveled that she was all mine. My Bella.

I kissed her fearlessly, with all my passion. Her strong hands gently knotted into my hair. It was true blissfulness. Our first kiss as immortals, one we would never forget. I loved this woman, my Bella, and I allowed my body to sink into her embrace. Realization hit as I felt myself falling in love all over again and the sky came into view above my head.

"Oops," she laughed underneath me. "I didn't mean to tackle you like that. Are you okay?"

"Slightly better than okay," I laughed. Yes, much, much better actually. But we couldn't linger. Could we? "Renesmee?" I reminded her.

"Renesmee," she agreed. I felt my body lift from the ground as she picked me up. I shook my head at the irony.

"Tell me about her," she insisted as I took her hand.

"She's like nothing else in the world," I couldn't help smiling. Thoughts of Renesmee would always make me happy. I was anxious for Bella's reunion with our daughter. It was our happily ever after.

"How much is she like you? How much like me? Or like I was, anyway," she quizzed.

"It seems a fairly even divide," I answered, certain there was pride in my voice at what we had created with love.

"She was warm-blooded."

"Yes. She has a heartbeat, though it runs a little bit faster than a human's. Her temperature is a little bit hotter than usual, too." I smiled, "she sleeps."

"Really?" Bella asked incredulously.

"Quite well for a newborn," I chuckled. "The only parents in the world who don't need sleep, and our child already sleeps through the night."

"She has exactly your color eyes—so that didn't get lost, after all." I loved that about our daughter and that I still had Bella's amazing deep pools of chocolate to gaze upon. "They're so beautiful."

"And the vampire parts?" she asked.

"Her skin seems about as impenetrable as ours. Not that anyone would dream of testing that."

Bella hung on my every word as I described our daughter. I allowed my voice to add to the picture I painted.

"Her diet . . . well, she prefers to drink blood. Carlisle continues to try to persuade her to drink some baby formula, too, but she doesn't have much patience with it. Can't say that I blame her — nasty-smelling stuff, even for human food." I cringed at the memory of the foul smelling concoction.

"Persuade her?"

My lips parted, "she's intelligent, shockingly so, and progressing at an immense pace. Though she doesn't speak — yet — she communicates quite effectively."

"Doesn't. Speak. Yet." she made each word a breathless sentence. Perhaps, I was too good at describing Renesmee because Bella was overwhelmed. I slowed us down so I could alleviate her fears.

"What do you mean, she communicates effectively?" she demanded.

"I think it will be easier for you to . . . see for yourself. It's rather difficult to describe."

She thought for a second and appeared to accept my reply because she changed the subject.

"Why is Jacob still here?" she puzzled. "How can he stand it? Why should he? Why should he have to suffer more?"

"Jacob isn't suffering," I said. I held my urge to confess his secret and immediately became angry. "Though I might be willing to change his condition," I added nearly silently, forgetting she had vampire hearing.

"Edward!" she hissed. She yanked me to a stop, probably more forcefully than she intended. "How can you say that? Jacob has given up everything to protect us! What I've put him through—!"

"You'll see exactly how I can say that," I muttered, as I rubbed my arm. "I promised him that I would let him explain, but I doubt you'll see it much differently than I do. Of course, I'm often wrong about your thoughts, aren't I?" I felt a little annoyed that I had to defend him and pursed my lips as she recorded my reaction.

"Edward, I don't understand."

She frowned, confusion written on her face. I stroked her cheek, patiently. "It's harder than you make it look, I know. I remember."

"I don't like feeling confused."

"I know. And so let's get you home, so that you can see it all for yourself." I looked at the curve of her chest, barely covered by the remains of her dress. It wouldn't do to share the view. I took off my shirt and gave it to her.

"That bad?" she asked. I nodded as she accepted my shirt and put it on.

"I'll race you," she said and then she winked at me, "no throwing the game this time!"

I was momentarily dazzled by the implications of the wink but accepted the challenge. I dropped her hand and grinned. "On your mark . . ."

NOTES

Amigas, my daughter reminded me on yesterday that BD would be released soon and I realized that I should at least finish this delve into dwards pov before the movie release. (I know some of you thought this day would never come but I will finish.) There is one chapter left and I only need to edit the awful, choppie writing. No epilogue.

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing – I appreciate all the favorites as well.