Chapter 2: Preparation

~Bella~

Once the plans to go to Isle Esme became more of a reality, I realized that at least for me, I'd need to do a little shopping. Then I figured out that Anthony would need warm weather clothes for the island, along with his big sister. Alice had suggested we make it a girls' day out before she had gotten very still shaking her head, informing me that Edward was going to suggest making a day of it with just us leaving the babies home with Esme and Carlisle. As I stood at the mirror, I tried to figure out what to do with my hair. It was in need of a trim, and that meant going to the hair dresser, something I really didn't like to do. If I would have thought of it sooner I would have made an appointment for today, but lately I seemed to forget smaller things like that.

Just before I began to brush it out, two small arms wrapped around my legs. I smiled down at my daughter who was gazing up at me still wearing her Tinkerbell sleeper. "I thought Daddy was going to help you get dressed," I said as I put the brush down and lifted her into my arms. She rested her head against my shoulder for a moment before noticing my makeup bag along with my brush and hair clip.

"Momma, I have pretty on me," she said leaning toward the counter.

I held her in place, "Are you supposed to get dressed?"

"Antony crying. Daddy get him clean up."

For a moment I kept her in my arms, then decided that Edward knew where to find her and set her down on the counter. I got out some lip gloss. "Put your lips like this," I told her puckering mine. When they were puckered I put a dab of gloss on them. "Rub them like this."

Renesmee did her best, turning her head to look in the mirror. "Pretty lips," she said turning back to me. "Have more," she requested sweetly.

I got out my blush brush, dusting it on my hand until there was very little on it, "Smile," I told her. Once she had, I brushed each cheek seeing my husband in the mirror as he walked in.

"Daddy I pretty," Renesmee said.

"You are very beautiful, just like Momma."

"I down and go have party," our daughter said.

Edward held her in his arms hugging her for a moment before setting her down. Once our baby was gone he wrapped his arms around me and I gazed at him through the reflection in the mirror. "She's not going to like being left behind," I whispered.

"Esme is planning on taking her to the hospital to visit Carlisle, so she should be fine once she finds out."

Edward wrapped both of his arms around my chest, and I pulled my arms over his leaning my head against him. "I wish we didn't have to do this," I said wanting nothing more than to spend my day at home with Edward and our two children.

"We could always let Alice order our things online," he pointed out, tilting his head to one side and placing a kiss on my neck.

I seriously considered that, but there was another part of me that wanted time alone with the man I loved. Now that Anthony was on a strict diet of donated blood, going away for part of a day wasn't as hard as it had been when I had Renesmee and was nursing her most of the time. Tilting my head up I accepted the kiss my husband gave me, reaching behind his head to pull him closer to me. He broke the kiss a moment before our daughter returned. "Momma need you," she said.

"Why don't you let me help while Momma gets dressed," Edward suggested as he turned to face our two year old.

"Momma do," she answered softly.

"It's alright Edward, we don't have any set times," I answered appreciating all my husband did for me.

As I picked Renesmee up, I realized why my daughter needed me, and cradled her in my arms kissing her cheeks as she laughed. "Love Momma." While I got out what she was going to wear for the day, I tried not to think too far into my own future, still dreading what her reaction would be once I no longer had a beating heart and was more like one of her aunts or her Nanna. Once I had her clothes, I laid her down on her bed, smiling as she insisted on getting the zipper on her sleeper down on her own. When my baby was just in her diaper I asked if she wanted to use the potty.

"No potty day, Momma," she informed me. I had done a search on the internet about potty training and the best advise I had found wasn't from there, but from Esme. She told us that when Renesmee was ready she would let us know, and that trying to force it would never work. We still asked our baby if she wanted to, but so far she was content to be in diapers.

"My buddy button different an Antony one," she said touching her belly button as I cleaned her bottom.

"Anthony's had to heal, but his is just like yours now," I told Renesmee, remembering well one of the first times she had seen his diaper changed, wanting to know what the icky thing on his stomach was. Once I had a new diaper on her, I helped her sit up pulling a soft cotton top over my little girl's head. The shirt was simple in design, soft pink with a picture of a kitten printed on the front. Once she had on her blue jeans and socks I picked her back up and spun around with her.

"Fun Momma," she said through her laughter.

I gave her a kiss before settling her on my back and went down the hall to my bedroom. Edward was sitting on our bed reading his first edition copy of King Arthur to our son while Anthony rested in his father's left arm. Seeing that her brother was getting all of Daddy's attention, Renesmee struggled to be let down and once she was on the bed she crawled to his side leaning against him as Edward began to read to both of them.

~Edward~

With our children well taken care of at their grandparents house, Bella and I took our first trip alone together since Anthony's birth four and a half weeks ago. For the first part of the drive we were both quiet. Bella's hand was in my free one and there was no need for conversation as we both enjoyed that which we could not when we had our babies with us. My thoughts were on our daughter and how quickly her hand had healed. Today when I took the bandage off there was barely any trace of the burn, something that would have taken months to heal on a child who wasn't part vampire. Thinking of our daughter brought up other questions in my mind, ones I still wanted answers for.

"Renesmee was really glad her hand was all better," Bella commented.

"I was just thinking about that. At some point I want to try and do some research, more extensively than we have in the past. I keep thinking that somewhere and at some point there have been other children born like ours. If that is so, then maybe we can try and find answers."

My wife squeezed my hand, "I want to know how long they will be with us."

That was my desire as well. If we had answers one way or the other, it would be easier to prepare for what ever eventuality we faced, but this not knowing was the hardest part.

"Where else could we find information like that?"

"Oxford has an extensive library, but I would want to wait until the children are older before we make that kind of journey." I was thinking of the Volturi feeling very blessed that they had yet to think of the last time they had seen Bella. Alice still monitored them daily finding that Caius wasn't pursuing the Children of the Night as avidly as he had in the beginning. For that reason it was better that Bella being turned wasn't very far away.

"Your quiet again," Bella observed.

"I was thinking of the Volturi and about your transformation. When they do remember we will need to have plans in place for Renesmee and Anthony. Under no circumstances can they know of their existence."

My wife nodded, and her heart rate had shot up, but not as much as it once would have when we were discussing the Volturi. "Do you think they have ever encountered a half human half vampire child, and perhaps covered that up?"

"There is always that possibility, but either way we have to be careful," I answered

My wife was silent, her heart rate still slightly elevated. "Tell me," I whispered moving her hand to my lips as I kissed the back.

"I always wonder how much we can be out in public with our children. Sometimes I worry that there will be someone to join them who will be able to see us the way Alice sees them, or someone who will be invisible who can spy on us. I think when I have control we need to go to Italy ourselves instead of waiting for them to come. Carlisle could go too if you think that would help."

My father's friendship with Aro was true, though it wasn't Aro who worried me. "Caius is the one I see trying to cause trouble. They want me as part of their guard and if you are able to block them when you are like me, they would want you too. I'm not sure Carlisle's friendship would make much of a difference." For the rest of the trip we were quiet, both lost in our own thoughts. Bella's suggestion was sound and the best way to protect our children, but the other problem was my memories. Aro would see everything that had transpired, and that couldn't happen.

~Esme~

Getting Renesmee calmed down after Edward and Bella left took some work, but we managed and she was now on my lap having a Popsicle, "Is that good?"

"Yummy, grape cold good," she said as she sucked on it more while I gently rocked her. In the other room, I could here Emmett and Rosalie cooing at Anthony. They had agreed to stay here with him while I took Renesmee to see Carlisle. It was rare when we were able to take her there, and the last time she had gone was not long after she was born. Everyone at the hospital knew she was our granddaughter, and that Carlisle and I had adopted children just like it had been when we lived in Forks. Soon enough it would be time to move someplace else especially with Bella's transformation not far off in the future.

"Done," Renesmee informed me. I got the washcloth I had wet earlier and let her clean first, helping her once she was ready for me to. One thing I had learned about my granddaughter was letting her do things on her own time. It made a huge difference in the number of fits she threw.

"See Pop," Renesmee said once I had removed her bib putting it on the table next to us. None of us had been able to figure out how she had come up with Carlisle's name of Pop, nor mine of Nanna, but now that she called us those names, they fit perfectly.

"We need to give him a call to make sure he isn't too busy first," I answered as I stood up turning her and settling her against my left hip.

I got my cell and dialed my husband's office while Renesmee played with my hair. Carlisle wasn't able to take my call but his receptionist told me when my husband had some free time, and it was enough time for Renesmee to lay down for a nap. As I carried her upstairs she didn't say much still focused on playing with my hair, but when we arrived in the nursery she protested.

"No no, go Pop see Pop," she yelled struggling to be out of my arms.

I sat down in the rocking chair cradling her in my arms even as she struggled, "Listen for a moment. We are going to see him. He has a few more patients to see and you need to rest before you go so you will have a good time," I told her as she kept struggling. This was the hard part, and not wanting to fight her, I got up and went back down the hall to the guest bedroom. Once the blinds were closed I sat down on the edge of the bed getting my shoes off before I leaned back settling her next to me. Realizing that I was going to stay with her, Renesmee relaxed fairly quickly curling against my chest as I began to hum the lullaby Edward had composed when she was born. One verse later and she was asleep, and since I didn't have anything needing my attention I stayed where I was enjoying this special moment with my granddaughter.

An hour and a half later, we arrived at the hospital and Renesmee was in a great mood. She was still singing her Sunshine song as I parked the car in the guest parking lot. As I stepped out of the car, a few people gazed my way but I payed them no mind. At this point in my life I was used to other people looking at me, we all were, with the exception of Renesmee who still shied away when anyone commented on what a beautiful little girl she was.

After getting her unbuckled and draping her fancy diaper bag over my shoulder, I lifted Renesmee into my arms kissing her cheek as she smiled. "Now, you have to be very quiet when we visit your Pop. Even if there is something you don't like or want to do."

"I get mad not yell?"

"No, my angel, you have to be on your best behavior so that we can come see your Pop again," our conversation continued as we walked toward the hospital.

"I yell get trouble?"

"If you yell and make too much noise we will have to leave, and I will have to tell your Daddy about it when he comes home," her eyes widened when I told her that and she pressed her face into my neck. My son was a wonderful father, and parenting seemed to come natural to him. He very rarely raised his voice when Renesmee was doing something she shouldn't and it never took much for my granddaughter to obey what he wanted. For the rest of us it was more of a challenge, mostly because she knew how easily we tended to give in.

When we reached Carlisle's office, he was waiting for us and once Renesmee was on the ground she ran to him laughing as he caught her up in his arms. "Come see you, Pop," she said after she was sitting comfortably on his lap. She already had his stethoscope and was trying to figure out how to use it as I gave my husband a kiss.

"Pop, hear it," Renesmee said trying to listen to her heart with the parts that went in the ear.

"Will you let me help you?" Carlisle asked.

She nodded, giggling when he put the ear pieces in her small ears. Her mouth drew into an 'o' shape as she listened to her heart beat. "I hear Antony too," she said excitedly.

"I'll try and remember to bring that home this evening. Now tell me what you have been doing today?"

"Momma made pretty face and lips. Go like this," she explained to both of us showing how she could pucker her lips. "I sad and Momma go with Daddy and I stay with Nanna. I had nap and we here now." she finished putting the stethoscope back to her heart.

"Did you understand all of that?" I asked softly.

My husband smiled at me, "I think so. It sounds like Bella let her wear a little makeup and that she was pretty upset that she couldn't go away with them."

"Don't forget the part about having a nap," I reminded as I sat comfortably on a floral couch across from where Carlisle was with Renesmee. She was still playing with his stethoscope when we heard someone approaching. Instantly our granddaughter had her face pressed against his coat, and I stood up greeting Beverly, Carlisle's receptionist who was older in appearance than either of us.

"I knew you were bringing Renesmee. She's grown so much," Beverly commented as Renesmee continued to hide.

"They don't ever stay small for very long," I agreed as Carlisle tried to coax Renesmee to say hello. Beverly understood about shy children and once she was gone Renesmee began talking up a storm wanting to know what the things were that her Pop used.

When it was time for us to leave, Carlisle had enough time to walk us out to our car. Renesmee had made it through her visit without one single melt down and I was happy for that, hoping we would have a pleasant ride home. I listened as she asked my husband when she could go hunt with her Daddy. That was a question she asked more often now, and it wasn't something that seemed to scare her because it was a part of life.

"You have to grow up and be very strong before you can join us," he answered as I unlocked the doors with the remote on my key-chain.

"I have be big," she agreed as Carlisle put her in her seat. After he had her buckled in and had given her a kiss, making sure she had her favorite bear and her sippy, Carlisle shut the door and turned facing me. He drew me into his arms and I rested my cheek against his chest smelling the familiar scents of the hospital. "What time will you be joining us?"

"I'm hoping my normal time, but there is never a way to predict that," he told me.

We shared a kiss and then, Renesmee and I left heading home to see how the rest of the family was doing.

~Edward~

Before we got started on the shopping, Bella and I simply enjoyed walking around town even though it was a gloomy day with rain threatening to fall at any second. I missed our children, but was grateful for this time alone with the woman I loved.

"Do you think we will be able to stay here while I got through the change?"

When she asked that, there was still a small part of me that cringed. "We are secluded enough that staying won't be a problem, if we choose that. Is there any place you would like to try living?"

My wife smiled, "As long as I'm with you, I don't really worry about the where, but maybe someplace in Maine. It's beautiful there, or from what I've seen in pictures. Now that Renesmee is older, I thought having a more open space where she could get out and stretch her legs might be nice, and once Anthony is old enough to walk we will need a lot more space." Bella stopped in front of a window looking at a stroller made for two children.

I moved behind her resting my chin on her shoulder. "Say the word and it's ours," I whispered.

"It's four hundred seventy nine dollars," Bella muttered.

"Hmm, maybe we should go in and investigate," before she could protest I took her hand and led her inside the fancy baby boutique. Instantly a woman came to us ready to help and I stood silently as Bella asked her about the stroller in question.

"Is there a chance that we could have a better look?" I asked once the woman whose name was Cara finished explaining all the features. As was quite normal when anyone in my family wanted to see something, Cara quickly had the stroller in front of us showing us first hand how it folded up nice and neat and opened easily with just one hand. Another sales clerk brought an infant seat and showed us how it fit on the top right in front of the handles used to push the stroller.

"It actually fits three baby's nicely, or two if your little one is asleep," Cara said as she took the seat and snapped it into the front.

In the end we did buy it and I signed our address so it could be shipped, since we still had more shopping to do. Once outside, Bella was shaking her head, "I can't believe we spent that kind of money on something we won't use for more than a few years."

"After they have outgrown that we can always donate it to a women's shelter," once I pointed that out Bella seemed happier and we got on to shopping for our trip to the island.

~Esme~

With a pillow in her lap, and two more on either side of her, Renesmee was holding Anthony while he drank his bottle. Alice had already taken a few pictures so we could show Bella and Edward this rare moment and so far both of my grandchildren were content. Rosalie was kneeling next to the chair they were sitting in, ready the moment Renesmee lost interest.

"You be big not cry and I play with you," she told him as Anthony looked right at her. "You very thirsty. Nanna, I have cup," she said looking over at me as the bottle slipped from Anthony's mouth. He let her know right away that he didn't like it and Renesmee looked at him furrowing her brow. "You very loud, brother," she said sharply. Rosalie took him quickly but carefully and Renesmee knocked the pillow he had been on away. "Not like him loud."

She ran past me crawling up the stairs as he started to really cry. I wasn't sure what exactly had upset her and went after my granddaughter catching up to her at the top of the stairs. When I picked Renesmee up she kicked her legs. Though once she was cradled in my arms she settled down. "You were doing so well with him."

"He cry and not like him do that," she answered as she yawned. I knew then what was wrong and carried her back downstairs. In the kitchen Alice and Jasper had her dinner waiting, and as Jasper passed us, Renesmee reached for him. "Sit and eat," she said as she yawned again.

Once Jasper was sitting down, Alice sat next to them and fed Renesmee while I went to check on Anthony, who was still fussing in the other room.

~Edward~

It was later than I had planned when we arrived at Carlisle and Esme's, and I had picked up on Anthony's cries long before we turned down the main driveway. In another part of the house Renesmee was with Rosalie and from what she was saying, it sounded like they were looking at old pictures. My daughter seemed content and I was glad that both my children weren't crying. "Anthony is being fussy," I warned Bella as I pulled up in front of the house. I could hear Renesmee calling for us and before I was even out of the car, Emmett came out with her on his shoulders.

"Momma, Daddy," she kept saying over and over as I reached up and pulled her into my arms. She had on a pink night gown and no socks, which was typical. My daughter generally didn't like to wear anything on her feet.

Bella gave her a kiss before heading inside to take care of our son. "How was your day?" I asked.

"See Pop and heart, and Bevery there, we gave Antony bottle and he mad. He not like bath."

Once we were in the door, she struggled to be let down and for the moment, I let her go following behind her as we entered the family room. Bella was on the sofa with our now quiet son in her arms. Renesmee was trying to get on her lap and after I sat beside my wife I settled our daughter on my own. "He is happy to see you," I said as our son gazed at Bella while she talked to him.

"Which will make it hard when it comes time," she answered kissing his small hands.

"Daddy, I held bottle for Antony."

"You helped feed him?" I asked.

She nodded, and I read the thoughts of my mother and sister understanding what she meant. "You are a good big sister."

"Not like him crying,"

Anthony's gaze had shifted and he was watching Renesmee as she talked to me. "Your brother likes what you are saying," I whispered when she finished.

My baby girl turned toward him. "You good now, I love you now," she said and it was hard not to laugh at her statement. When she let him hold her finger Anthony smiled, "He like me," She said giggling, getting another smile from him.

Alice had a camera and managed to get a picture which ended the happy moment as Anthony began to fuss.

Before my little girl could get away, I stood up putting her on my shoulders. "Are we ready?" I asked as Bella got Anthony settled once more.

"I think so," my wife answered as she stood up.

When I turned toward the kitchen, Renesmee realized what was going on and I lifted her away from my shoulder cradling her in my arms before she could kick. "You had a fun day, but we need to go home and get ready for bed."

"No, Daddy," she whispered.

I kissed her forehead. "Yes," I replied.

Her little lips quivered before she began to cry soul wrenching cries as she clung to me. My family tried to comfort her, assuring Renesmee they would see her tomorrow but she was too upset to let their words bring her any comfort. As we walked out the door I realized that her crying would upset Anthony and told Bella I would meet her at the house. After giving my wife a kiss and handing her the keys I set off toward our home on foot. "Shhh, you will see everyone tomorrow, and I'll bet we can even hide your Uncle Emmett's three way remote." Normally I didn't suggest such things, but right now I wanted to try and calm her down.

My daughter continued to cry as though her heart had been broken and my own heart ached for her. Esme's thoughts were enough for me to see just what a good day Renesmee had with my family and I understood why she was so sad. "It's okay," I whispered rubbing her back as I jogged at a fast pace through the woods. We made it home before Bella and Anthony, and in Renesmee's room I turned on the nightlight and wound up her teddy bear bringing him with us to the rocking chair. My baby's cries were subsiding and once I was seated with her against my chest she quieted completely.

I was still rocking her when Bella came to check on us once she had put our son in his cradle. "Hi, my sweet girl," Bella whispered as she knelt next to us.

Renesmee didn't respond even as Bella kissed her good night. My wife stood up and leaned forward kissing me before she headed out.

I continued to rock her for a while longer, kissing the top of her head as I breathed in her sweet scent. When I stood up she clung to me.

"Noo," Renesmee sobbed.

"I won't leave you," I assured her as I sat down on the edge of her bed. Her small hands were balled up against my shirt and I rubbed her back, "I'll sit here and rub your back while you rest in your bed."

"Need my daddy," Renesmee whispered taking in a shaky breath.

"I'm here, baby," I answered having a difficult time not taking her to the room Bella and I shared. It had been a while since my daughter had gotten so worked up, and I was trying to figure out what had set her off. I listened for Bella, hearing her steady breath with Anthony's close to her. They were safe and as much as I wanted to be there with them, Renesmee's need for me was greater. Before I went back to the rocking chair I got the quilt Sue made for her first birthday. I sat back down and once the quilt was over both of us, my daughter's hands relaxed. Her small legs draped over my sides and she rubbed her face against my shirt as she yawned. With my daughter able to speak relatively clear and being pretty independent, it was hard to forget that she had just turned two and that she was still getting used to Anthony.

"Here all time," she whispered.

"Shh, close your eyes now,." I heard them flutter shut and began to hum Bella's lullaby for a change as I began to gently pat her bottom while we rocked. When she was finally asleep, I waited a while longer before moving her back to her bed, hearing Anthony stirring in the other room. Before going there, I went down stairs and made up a bottle for him arriving in the room as Bella sat up lifting him into her arms. I handed her the bottle and sat down with them on my side of the bed.

"What made her so upset?"

"I'm not sure it was one thing. She had a long day free of any tantrums. We spoiled her fun and when she realized I meant what I said about going home, that upset her."

"She doesn't like not having her way."

"No she doesn't. I wonder how it will be once Anthony is old enough to give her a run for her money," I said letting him hold one of my hands. His eyes were shut and as I looked at the clock I realized that this marked the second night of him being so calm. "His diet change seems to be working," I murmured pulling my arms around both of them as Bella settled against my side.

"I know. I'm glad he's not hurting as much."

"That makes two of us," we were quiet as Anthony finished off his bottle. Once he had, I draped his burp cloth over my shoulder and settled him there gently patting his back while Bella got up to use the bathroom. When he burped, he spit up a little, but I managed to catch it before it went down my back, wiping his mouth before I cradled him in my arm. His thick black hair was sticking up, and I wondered if it would lighten any when he got older. Bella said he looked more like me than her, though he did have her nose. "Alright, it's time for you to rest," I said as I stood up and carried him to his cradle. Before laying him down I kissed his soft cheek.

By then, Bella was back in our bed and switched off the light. I had planned to show her how much I loved her, but with Renesmee's earlier upset, I wasn't willing to risk being in the middle of something if she woke up again. Once I was settled in bed spooned behind my wife, I let my lids shut even though I didn't need to. My thoughts were of the future and on what we had talked about a little today. At some point we did need to try and find out if there were any true stories about vampire children. Bella and I needed those answers, and I had a sinking feeling that Oxford wasn't the place to find them. Aro undoubtedly knew that human-vampire children were a possibility and I would have to talk to Carlisle and see if he could remember anything at all that might shed some light on if I was right or not.

~*~

AN: Wow, I have gotten such a great response to this story already and I want to thank everyone who added me to their lists and reviewed and everyone who just read the story. I'm really glad you guys like what I'm doing here. I have gotten numerous reviews wanting a little more of Anthony being born and how they found out they were going to have him. I've written that in chapter twenty of After the Honeymoon which is up now along with this. I hope you will leave reviews for both. You guys rock for all the adds and reviews. Thanks a million.

~Ella~