Chapter 3: Time

~Edward~

No matter how many days had gone by since my wife and daughter were visited by the werewolf that destroyed our first home, I still feared leaving them. To be truly comfortable I needed to hunt twice a week, but I could go with just one time, and sometimes the waiting went a little longer than seven days. Bella was very observant, she had always been, of noticing the signs of my growing thirst doing her best to assure me she wasn't worried about being left at home for a few hours. Most of the time one of my sisters, or Esme would stay at our house or Bella would stay at my parents' to ease both our anxiety levels. More recently, Bella had been staying at our home alone with our children and because of that I was most always distracted. Now was one of those times. Jasper and Emmett already had their kills a few miles away from me, and I was on the prowl for a large cat I'd caught the scent of. As its scent grew stronger, I crouched down moving through the brush and trees at break neck speeds. With one single leap, I was on the large branch of a tree finally spotting the cat lounging on the next branch up. It had no idea I was there and didn't even know when I'd joined it.

"How long are you going to take?" Emmett asked.

The big cat got on it's feet and I leaped, grasping it as we both fell to the ground. In a second my teeth were imbedded in its neck and I felt the burning in my throat along with the tension in my body leaving as I drained it dry. "Not that long," I said once it was finished off.

My brother chuckled and I read his thoughts, That's what you said twenty minutes ago.

"I have a lot on my mind," I answered picking the cat up and following Emmett to the fire where I tossed the carcass. We made it a point to clean up after a hunt, not wanting to draw attention. While the fire burned, I thought about last night with Bella. She was worrying about how Charlie would take the news that her transformation was in the very near future, and didn't want her news to be a strain on his heart. I'd done my best to assure her that he was as healthy as a horse, but she had been quiet after that. Those were the times when I doubted changing her, even though I knew we needed to get that part of our lives out of the way.

"She's strong you know," Emmett said coming to stand next to me while Jasper began to put the fire out.

I looked over at him. "She's stronger than me sometimes," I admitted.

"Your lives should be easier once she's turned, and I'll bet Renesmee will adjust pretty fast to that, too." Emmett was right. Our daughter was very resilient, but that would be a big test for her and for us all. "You know Rose and I will do what we can to help out while she's going through the transformation, try not to let it worry you so much." My brother clapped his hand on my shoulder and I took in a breath out of habit when I was feeling the stresses of my life catching up to me.

As we began the journey home, Jasper asked if Bella and I were going to come out to the playing field tonight. Alice had predicted storms and it had been a while since we had gotten a chance to play a game of baseball. "I don't know how Renesmee and Anthony will deal with the noise," I pointed out as Jasper continued trying to convince me. I hadn't played with my family since becoming a father, and I picked up Jasper's thoughts. Probably won't know what to do with the ball.

"Let me see what Bella thinks," I grumbled and my brother's gave each other high fives. Somehow, I had the feeling they had planned it this way but they were both occupying their thoughts so that I couldn't read them.

As I approached the house, all was at peace. I heard Anthony's steady breath in our room, and the small clink of plastic against plastic along with conversations of Queens and Fairies at a tea party my daughter was having with her mother. Renesmee was chatting away and I wished I was able to hear what my wife was thinking. Without making a sound, I entered the house and made it to the second level without anyone aware. In our daughter's room, I found the place of the party in the middle of the floor on Sue's quilt. The tea set was something our daughter had gotten for her second birthday and she was becoming more interested in playing, but only if Bella or I joined her.

"Momma, what this one?" our little girl asked holding up the sugar dish.

"Well, when people drink tea they sometimes like to add a little sugar to make it taste sweet."

"I have tea my cup?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure you would like it. Will you pour more for me please?"

I realized that Renesmee wanted to try a real cup of tea and was glad Bella wasn't appeasing that request. The caffeine would have her bouncing off the walls. Before I could reveal myself, I heard Anthony stirring and moved soundless down the hall to the master bedroom. He was resting on the bed and his head was lifted when I walked in. I knelt down so he could see me and as I whispered his name, Anthony looked right at me. "You're getting so strong," I said.

His head bobbed, and as he wrinkled his face to cry, I had him in my arms wanting to give Renesmee the time she always craved with her mother, or at least that was my intention as I heard them approaching.

"Daddy home. Momma and had tea and sugar have my room," she told me pulling on the right leg of the pants I was wearing.

My wife stood at my side and we managed a kiss as I handed Anthony over before picking our daughter up, "Did you like that?"

She nodded her response wrapping her arms around my neck as she rested her cheek against my shoulder. "Daddy smell side," she told me as she lifted her head away from me.

"I had to hunt remember?"

"Go hunt," she said struggling to be put down.

"You hunt inside and only in your room or in the den," I told her holding her so that we were eye to eye.

"Go side in yard."

"Inside, Renesmee."

She sighed but nodded her head in response. Once she was on her feet Bella and I were alone with Anthony. My wife was finishing a diaper change and as I took the soiled one to toss away, I brought up what Emmett and Jasper had plotted. "How would you feel about going to a ball game tonight?" I asked once the diaper was secure in the Diaper Genie.

Anthony was back against her shoulder content where he was as Bella sat down in the rocking chair. "That's right there is supposed to be some storms near Boston," she answered. "Do you think the noise will bother the children?"

"Jasper had an idea that might work, ear muffs. I know they make them for children Renesmee's age and even some for Anthony."

"Do you think they will keep them on?"

"That's the question of the evening," I answered loving moments like these, watching Bella taking care of our children. While she smiled at me rocking our son, I listened for our daughter hearing her playing in her room singing a song she had made up about hunting in the tune of The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.

"I sometimes wonder if she will be able to hunt with us. Anthony seems more likely the one to be able to do that," Bella said drawing my attention back to her as she stood up and walked to his cradle. He had gone back to sleep and once our son was tucked in she was in my arms as we gently swayed.

"When she is old enough she should be able to handle that on her own. She's pretty strong now," I pointed out brushing Bella's brown hair away from her face before I lowered my head kissing her gently on the lips.

"I miss us," Bella whispered between kisses. We had yet to resume anything more than just kissing and touches. Carlisle wanted us to wait for six more weeks giving her body plenty of chance to heal from Anthony's traumatic entry into the world. "Maybe after the game Rosalie and Emmett will take the kids," Bella whispered pressing on the back of my head. That was as far as we got before Renesmee came in needing Momma to help her due to a dirty diaper. As they left, I wondered if we could try pushing the potty training while we were on the Island. If we needed to Renesmee could just run around bottomless all day. There wasn't anyone on the beach.

~Bella~

Once we had driven as far as we could and Edward had the car parked in a secluded area, I got out grabbing the harness for Anthony and fitting it around my middle before opening his side finding my son awake and pretty happy as he looked at his feet. "Are you ready for this?" I asked him. On the other side, Edward was getting Renesmee out of her seat. I was waiting for our son to smile at me, but so far the only one who got that honor was his big sister. Once I had Anthony out of his seat, I lifted him up and slid him into the harness kissing the top of his head as the wind blew around us. He began to fuss, so I started moving around getting the diaper bag out of the trunk while Edward got the pack carrier into standing position. Anthony didn't mind the harness so long as I was in constant motion, and preferred being snug against my chest as apposed to facing out.

"No, walk," Renesmee said as Edward reached for her. She had on thick denim overalls and a yellow short sleeved shirt and was barefooted, something that usually didn't hurt her.

"If you want to walk you have to put shoes on. We are going to be going through the woods," Edward answered as Renesmee furrowed her brows.

"No shoe."

The moment he lifted her from the ground she kicked out and got a swat on her bottom which got her attention right before she started to cry. Anthony whimpered and I bounced with him. "You're okay, baby, sissy is too," I soothed as Edward hugged her reminding her that she needed to remember not to kick even if she wasn't happy. Once she had calmed down he got her in the carrier without any more fuss and in a moment he had that on his back. "Are we ready?"

I nodded surprised that he had swatted her. "Did you mean to do that?" I asked as we began going through the woods. I was glad I had my hiking boots on and walked everyday.

"She needs to stop doing that before she hurts you or even Anthony," he told me as our little girl looked around. Edward was taking us through the least cluttered part of the woods and I was glad I didn't have to push limbs out of the ways. After a moment he asked, "Are you against that?"

"No. I got spanked a couple of times when I was little, and that was just a swat. I was just surprised." We had never really talked about what we did or didn't agree on as far as disciplining our children went, just because everything had happened so fast. There was also the fact that we never even dreamed we would one day be parents.

"I can only remember one time I got one. I was six or seven and ran off without telling my mom where I was going. Me and another boy had gone to a stream that had risen due to recent rains. We didn't realize it was dangerous nor that another boy close to our age had drowned. When Mom found me I got yelled at and when I got home I had to go out and find a switch."

"You mean a stick?" I asked surprised because the few times I'd been spanked it had only been by Charlie's hand.

"Yep, and after that I never left without informing her what I was up to or more specifically asking if I could go some place."

There was a log up ahead and after Edward stepped over it he turned and helped me. Kissing me and our son before we trudged on. "Does it worry you that your strength would be too much." I felt guilty asking but was still surprised by that.

"Love, I was in control of everything. If I had not been I would have put her in her seat until I could gain control. I won't ever punish either one of them if I am angered by their actions." The spaces between the trees were widening and as I walked beside my husband he took my hand. "I wont punish that way if it isn't something you agree with."

"No, I think you did the right thing, and you did it to get her attention, but maybe we need to define what actions of hers and for that matter Anthony's would warrant that sort of punishment." Edward stepped in front of me and we shared a kiss.

"You are absolutely right," he agreed as Renesmee leaned past his head laughing when I nibbled her fingers. We would have to find time to discuss this more thoroughly but right now our family was waiting for us.

"Down now down," Renesmee said as she began to struggle. We reached the clearing and Rosalie greeted us lifting our daughter out of the carrier as Edward warned his sister that Renesmee needed to be changed. Not too much further away Alice had a lounge chair out for me and a big blanket with toys for the kids if they got bored. Rosalie already had the diaper bag and was making her way there as Alice arrived by my side.

"Aren't they cute?" My sister-in-law held out tiny ear muffs for Anthony and carefully eased them over his small ears. He shifted against me but continued to sleep.

"You knew didn't you?"

"I didn't see Renesmee or Anthony, but I did see Jasper and Emmett convincing Edward to do this," she said in a sing song sort of voice. I chuckled glad for the chance to spend this time with our family. When I got to the blanket Renesmee was already changed, working on a puzzle as I knelt down with her ear muffs. "Hey, angel. Aunt Alice has this for your ears."

My daughter looked at it before she reached out and held it. "What it do?"

"Well this game everyone is about to play is going to be very loud, so you might want to put that on."

She stood up looking at Anthony with his on, before she tried it on her own. When she couldn't figure out how to put the muffs on, Renesmee let me help her and sat back down to play with her puzzle.

My family was off in the distance and Carlisle was up to bat while Alice made ready to pitch. I thought about laying Anthony down then thought better of it as I sat in the chair watching the game. When my father-in-law hit the ball the crack was very loud, but neither of my babies took notice. Thunder rumbled in the distance as Carlisle stopped at third base. Edward was up to bat and I got up kneeling by my daughter turning her so she could watch.

When Edward hit the ball she laughed jumping up and down while clapping her hand. "Me too, me too." Renesmee said trying to get away from me.

I tugged at the back of her overalls and slid one muff away from her hear. "When they finish I bet Daddy will help you play. This game is only something they can do. Not even I can," I said realizing that I was holding up the game. My family was waiting for me to finish and put the muff back over her ear. Thankfully, Renesmee listened to me and got back to playing with her puzzle.

My husband made it to third base, and Carlisle made it home, but Alice struck Emmett out, and by that time Anthony was awake not seeming to mind his ear muffs as I sat bouncing him gently on my lap. Renesmee was still being really good, still focused on her puzzle, and I hoped her good mood would continue. The girls were ahead of the guys when both my children were ready for a snack, and as I laid Anthony down on the blanket so I could get out the snacks he began to wail.

"Momma, want cookie no apples," Renesmee said as she began to pout.

"How about a little help?" Rosalie offered as she picked Anthony up while I hugged my daughter. Down on the playing field everyone was talking, and Edward was wrestling with Emmett. I took off my Renesmee's ear muffs kissing her head. "If you eat two apples I'll let you have a cookie."

"No, want it," she said sadly as I gently rocked her. It was dark now and the rumbling of thunder was constant, but still in the distance.

"Do you want your sippy?"

She shook her head looking away as the rest of our family arrived. "Have cookie," she whispered.

"Rosalie and Emmett offered to watch them this evening," Edward said as he knelt next to us.

I smiled at him, "Are they sure?" As I asked I glanced down at our daughter who was still being grumpy. "They could just take Anthony," I whispered hoping Renesmee wouldn't catch on to the gist of the conversation I was having with her father. We made it a point not to leave her with anyone when she got this out of sorts, and already she was sniffing mumbling about the cookie that she wasn't going to get at this point.

My husband kissed us both before he went to talk to his brother and sister.

"Want cookie," Renesmee said as she sniffed again while her breath hitched.

I lifted her against my shoulder and stood up rubbing her back. "I know, baby," I crooned. It was tough being two and not getting what you wanted especially when you were tired. While I tried to comfort her Emmett came over walking behind us. "Hey cutie, do you want to hang out with me and Aunt Rose? We can watch that video that you like."

I'd forgotten about her new DVD. It was a cartoon that taught kids about music, and was rather inventive. It was also the only thing she was allowed to watch.

"Want cookie," she said as I felt my shoulder getting we with her tears.

"I don't know about that, but I bet if you eat something good we can work that out."

"Watch with me, and Jasper too?"

"Sure thing," he said. A second later she was reaching for him, though before he could get away Renesmee kissed me and was suddenly very happy. I shook my head realizing as I did that we didn't have anything to take with us. Emmett already had Renesmee in her pack carrier and she was laughing as he ran down to the playing field with her on his back. My brother-in-law was a big kid when it came to her and I was glad he'd gotten her out of her funk.

~*~

My husband's lips pressing against the small of my back roused me from the deep sleep I had fallen in to after we took a shower together exploring one another's bodies with the touch of our hands and then our lips. It was damn frustrating not to be able to make love fully, but Edward had found other alternatives for me that were almost as good. His unclothed body was pressed against my own and I could feel his arousal pressing against the back of my left thigh. The thing I liked was that he wasn't hiding his need from me, and it was enough to wake me fully as I turned in his arms. When I pushed on his chest he settled on his back. I lifted off the bed kissing his lips briefly before throwing the covers over both of our heads trailing my kisses from his lips down his neck. At the base of his throat I nibbled hearing him growl, feeling my body respond as my stomach tightened, and a warmth building there, traveling down to the area between my legs.

This was Edward's time and I had to fight to keep my emotions in check as I moved my kisses down his chest to the right where I twirled my tongue around his nipple before biting down. His hands were in my hair pressing me more flush against him as I licked and nipped there.

"Bella," he growled.

I moved lower and his hands left me as I licked him from his navel down to his waist line. Edward's hips lifted off the bed and I pushed forcefully until he was settled back on the mattress. When I reached my target I raised up placing one hand on the left side of his hip and the other on the right. Sticking my tongue out I brushed it over his tip and his growling didn't stop this time. In the back of my mind, I realized I shouldn't push him this way, but felt reckless because we were kid free. I twirled my tongue around his tip before covering his length with my mouth sucking hard as Edward let out what sounded more like a roar than a growl.

My heart rate shot up, but I kept sucking him moving my mouth down his shaft until he his tip was nearly at the back of my throat before I moved away.

"Bella, Bella," he growled right before I heard something rip. I grazed him with my teeth and a second later the covers were gone and he was sitting up coaxing me away. When I looked at him his eyes were wild, but again I felt nothing but love for him. Edward wouldn't hurt me. We looked at one another for a while before he put both hands on my forearms getting on his knees as I did the same. I wrapped my arms around him as he wrapped his around me and our lips met in a very sensual kiss. I opened my mouth as I felt the push of Edward's tongue, sucking it in while I reached down grasping my hand around his arousal. My husband's left hand pressed against the small of my back as our tongues swirled together and our kiss continued until I had to pull away needing to breathe. I grasped him tighter moving my hand from his tip to his base and back again as fast as I could manage.

His free hand tilted my head up until we were looking eye to eye. When his shut and he growled I felt my breath quicken while feeling an ache between my legs where I wished he was. No sooner had I thought it, his fingers were brushing over my curls. Edward's eyes opened and he watched my reaction as he slipped a finger inside of me. He was being careful and I didn't want him to be. I let my other hand move down his chest grasping his wrist as I tucked and pushed wanting him to go faster.

"Are you sure," he breathed?"

"Yes," I moaned needing his touch and the release only he could bring me. I continued moving my left hand against him and Edward was moving his hips in time with me as his finger worked inside of me touching all the right places.

"I want you," I whimpered feeling myself contracting around his finger.

"We can't love," he said through a growl and I knew he was close too. When he slid a second finger in I stopped the movement of my hand on his arousal before I started again wanting this to be as much for him as for me. I felt myself tumbling over the edge and a moment later we were resting on the bed, his fingers still milking me as my release came, my hand pumping him as hard as I could.

Edward growled out my name stilling my hand while keeping his fingers moving inside of me. I felt dizzy with need, kissing his chest as I tried to remember how to breathe.

Moments or hours later, I heard the trill of one of the cell phones, ignoring it because I knew Edward would take care of who ever it was. As I was on my way back to sleep, his cool lips brushed against mine. "I need to go to the other house," he whispered.

Edward's words brought me to full wakefulness. "Renesmee?"

He nodded sitting down on our bed, "She woke up an hour ago and hasn't stopped crying."

When I sat up he hugged me, and waited while I got dressed. I knew he could bring her home if she didn't calm down but wanted to be there in case she wanted both of us.

~Edward~

Once we were back home, Renesmee went to sleep almost the moment she was snuggled in Bella's arms. I was resting next to my wife and daughter playing back in my mind what Jasper said he felt when my baby woke up. He said at first it was confusion like she didn't know where she was, then sadness and loss. My brother explained that her emotions were very basic, and not concrete enough for him to pick up what was making Renesmee sad, though I had my own theories.

"She was so upset," Bella murmured as I scooted closer to them.

"I know. I'm trying to figure out what happened." It wouldn't be a big deal to us if she woke up like this more often, but it had been a year since she had been up and so upset. "She was feeling confused when we arrived, and I think it may just be this past month catching up with her."

"Anthony's birth?"

"Yes, and having to share us with him."

For a few moments Bella didn't say anything, "She doesn't seem unhappy when he's here."

"I don't think that she is, but she's always been sensitive to change, even when she was newborn."

Again my wife was quiet, "I remember taking her to the store that day you went with Alice to get Charlie. We had that argument the night before and she had a real fit when Emmett was taking us home."

"You fretted about that for a long time after," I said remembering that time and the argument. It was one of few we had as a married couple.

"Do you think she's still upset about getting swatted?"

I'd been thinking along those lines too. I hadn't done that without thinking about it, and felt strongly that at the time swatting her for trying to kick away from me was the right coarse of action. "It may have contributed, but I think it's just everything crashing down at once. This evening when you were holding her, I was pretty sure if Emmett wouldn't have talked her into going with them she would have had a major melt down. That may be the only way she can deal with everything and be able to function, but I think for the next few days we need to stay here with both of them. I know we need to pack, but you and I have been busy getting everything ready for the trip." I paused as Renesmee shifted rolling away from Bella toward me. When she remained asleep I continued. "Until we leave, we need to try and keep everything low key," I finished.

"I agree."

Once they were both asleep, I got up and paced to the window still trying to figure out how we could help our daughter not feel so overwhelmed, and wondering at the same time if Anthony would be as sensitive, though so far he was pretty laid back.

~*~

While Renesmee talked to Grandah Charlie, I sat holding her on my lap enjoying hearing her conversation and Charlie's reaction. Bella had gone to my parents house to get Anthony and we were planning on a day with the kids packing while they napped. Our flight was tomorrow evening and Charlie had called wanting to talk to Bella.

"Baseball and had movie. Emmett laugh and cookies too," Renesmee said happily, before nearly dropping the phone as Bella came in the house carrying Anthony in his infant seat. "Hey, Charlie, she just got back from getting Anthony from my parents house, were you able to get all that?"

"I think so, something about a Baseball game."

My wife came in with Renesmee on her back. "Family's baseball game. Here's Bella."

I handed the phone to her kissing my little girl as she giggled, reaching for me. She woke up this morning before Bella and was happy as though nothing happened to upset her last night, and I hoped today would be better for her as I carried her in the kitchen. Anthony was sound asleep strapped in his seat and Renesmee leaned out kissing him very gently on his forehead like we had practiced.

"He tired."

"Nanna said he woke up early this morning," I told her settling her on my hip as I lifted the seat off the counter heading upstairs with both of my children.

"What doing Daddy?"

"I'm going to put him in his cradle so he can sleep better."

"I do, too?"

"After I lay him down you can help me put his blanket over him." She nodded and once we got to my room I put her down and set the seat on the bed. With practiced ease I unbuckled the safety straps and had my son against my shoulder without waking him. He shifted for a moment and I knelt down letting Renesmee rub his back until he was comfortable. She kissed the back of his head before I stood up and after laying him down my daughter helped me cover him.

"Antony sleep my room?"

"When he gets older and you both sleep well on your own. Now what should we do?"

"I play by self. You not go."

With that I was left alone and felt better now that she was back to being her normal spunky self.

~Bella~

My hands were sweating and my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest as I waited for Charlie to get back on the line. He was going to give me the dates he could make it to the Island, not realizing why we wanted him there. We did want him there in general to meet Anthony and spend time with us, but the larger reason was to prepare him for my transformation.

"Sorry about that, Bells. I don't know if this is going to work," he began.

I took in a deep breath. "Dad we need you to come. I have some changes coming about that we need to discuss," I said trying not to choke on the words.

There was a long period of silence on the other end, "You mean the change?" he whispered.

"Yes." My father put me on hold again and I shut my eyes willing for him not to have a heart attack even though I knew when Carlisle operated on my father after he got shot, he made sure everything was in good working order.

"Will two weeks be soon enough? You aren't doing it there right?"

"No, no Dad. We just want to keep our end of the promise we made."

"Thank you, Bells, that means a great deal to me." After a little small talk I hung up leaning against Edward who had come to sit with me a minute ago. "Where is our daughter?"

"In her room. Evidently I wasn't important enough to join her," he said. His chest moved as he chuckled and his news made me feel a little better.

"Charlie figured it out pretty quick. He wasn't going to come, but I guess you heard." As Edward drew me closer, I took in a deep breath before letting it out. "I wish sometimes there wasn't anyone hanging on to me that would be hurt by this change. I don't want them gone, but what if I'm out of control and he can't ever see me?"

"Forever is a very long time even when you are looking at a human life. I still think you will pull through this and be stronger than any of us. Your the first person I've known to go into this willingly and I'm not going to let you forget anything." My husband's words brought the comfort I'd been seeking and after we talked a little longer we headed upstairs to get Renesmee dressed for the day.

~*~

AN: First as always thank you all for the reviews and for the adds. I'm so glad you all are enjoying all of this. Now to address the swat. I kind of feel Edward would have done that, and I hope their talk assured you he didn't do it out of haste. Bella is a little more uncertain about that, and I'm pretty sure they will discuss that in the future as Renesmee gets older and explores her boundaries. I'm working to keep her balanced. I don't want her to be a brat that no one enjoys reading about, but she is two, and she does have a lot going on in her life. Having said that I hope you will continue to read and enjoy. Next chapter the island and Charlie getting an explanation in to what it will be like for Bella to be turned, along with some good family mushy stuff.

~Ella~