Chapter 21: Family Time

~Bella~

In anticipation that Renesmee might try and go outside to test out her new ability without one of us, Edward and Charlie had put locks high up on each door that led outside. The good thing in all of that was that Renesmee wasn't strong enough to break them by pulling the door open. The not so good part was how angry it made her each time she tried making a break for it.

When Renesmee woke up from her nap, the day Charlie took her to the petting zoo, Edward and I talked to her about what had happened. As she recalled having a good time with her Grandpa, Edward was able to read some of her thoughts and was honed in on them when she told us about the tiger. She hadn't thought about sneaking away from her Grandpa until she saw the tiger at the fence. Renesmee had been really confused when Charlie had been so upset at the car, not realizing just how risky it had been to leave his side. We didn't punish her because too much time had gone by since they had gotten back from the petting zoo.

"Don't ask you," Renesmee yelled from the other room bringing my mind out of the clouds. Locking her in the house wasn't our idea of a good time, but she was determined to do things her way, just like she always was. Edward was downstairs with her, trying to reason and explain why she had to ask us to go outside, though so far what he was saying didn't seem to make much of a difference. We were planning to go hunting as a family after the baby woke up, letting Grandah have some needed time alone, and my husband telling her that didn't make much difference.

The next sound I heard was Renesmee's hand smacking against the glass of the sliding door, "Me out by self. I get and animal come me and not you. Fraid you and go away," Renesmee yelled.

"Right now I need for you to settle down, and not yell at me," Edward said calmly, more calm than I would be if I was down trying to reason with her.

My dad chose that moment to come into Renesmee's room and I smiled at him. "I don't want her to think of home as a prison," I said as Charlie sat down on the edge of Renesmee's bed. I had come upstairs to do some cleaning when my thoughts got the best of me.

"Maybe you should take her out, just the two of you. It's cloudy enough, and she might do better if you guys had a little fun," he said.

"We have been going outside with her," I pointed out, but Charlie shook his head.

Downstairs Renesmee was crying, not from any punishment, just frustration at not being able to do things her way, and my heart ached for her. "There is a nice park a little over an hour away," I said as I pictured it from what I'd seen on line the other night when I had been looking for such a place to take her. Already I could hear Edward in the kitchen, glad he could hear what I had just said. He couldn't read my mind, though at times like this I found myself wondering.

Once I had a duffel packed with an extra set of clothes, I went downstairs finding Edward had packed a picnic lunch in the small basket we hadn't put to use since that one very special day we found out we were having Anthony.

My baby girl was laying on the floor by the sliding door in our den, still crying softly. "Hey baby, would you like to go with me to the park?"

Renesmee didn't say anything at first as I sat down next to her. When I rubbed my hand over her back she didn't flinch away. "There is a park with a lake. They have swings, and a big sliding board.

"Go with you?"

Instead of answering her, I reached over and picked her up, settling her against my chest. "Daddy packed lunch for you so we can have a picnic."

"Me swing and slide?" she asked looking right into my eyes with her chocolate brown eyes, so much like mine had once been.

"Yes," I answered as Renesmee finally smiled.

Once I was on my feet she started talking about sliding down her sliding board in her playroom, asking me if it was like that. Edward and Charlie carried things out to the car and when Renesmee was strapped in to her seat, we waved goodbye and headed out on our adventure.

Our visit to the park had been one of the most pleasant times I remembered spending with my daughter. We had enjoyed building a sandcastle on the small beach by the lake, and Renesmee had fun chasing me around the clearing a little bit away from the beach. After we took a walk exploring most of the park, we went to the toddler playground where my little girl was enjoying climbing on the colorful plastic equipment built for her size.

When she finished going down a small red sliding board attached at the far end of the plastic maze, Renesmee ran over to me. "Go big slide now."

"Only if you give me a kiss first."

My baby climbed on the bench next to me and gave me two kisses on my right cheek before she took her duffel and my hand as I stood. There were other families enjoying the first semi warm day we had experienced in a while, though for Renesmee and me it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.

The sliding board she led me too was older, one of those metal models that had ripples. "Are you going to climb up all by yourself?"

"I big girl," she told me.

While I stood at the end of the slide, she made her way to the top not at all afraid as she sat down and pushed forward. Her trip down was fast and I caught her before she slid all the way off the slide to land on the dirt ground below.

"Do again," she told me before running back to the ladder. Renesmee slid down the board thirteen times before she got tired of that, and by that time her tummy was grumbling. My baby followed me without protest to a small round stone table in the picnic area. Not much time passed before she was sitting on my lap making fast work of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich Edward had packed along with the apples he had cut up.

"We go swing after eating."

"Do you want to try the big swings, or the smaller ones?" I asked holding her hair out of the way, wishing I'd brought something to put it back.

"Big one. You hold me like other girls doing."

When we had passed by the big swing set, there had been a mother holding her daughter in spider style.

"Momma, we stay here long time?" Renesmee asked as she finished the last of her sandwich, taking her sippy cup and drinking almost all of the contents inside.

Not wanting to spoil such a good time, I changed the subject, getting her to eat one more piece of cheese before putting the wrappers and emtpy containers back in the basket. So far I had managed not to have to eat any food, not looking forward to the day when I would do that and have to get rid of it later.

When we got to the big swing set, I put our things out of the way, though in eye sight before I picked Renesmee up, helping her put her legs on either side of me before I sat down. It didn't take me long to get us going really high, and my daughter's laughter was the sweetest sound to my ears.

"I want to lean back," she called out. When I had one hand supporting her back, Renesmee let go of the chain and tilted back laughing more as I let her swing that way. When she got tired I brought her back up, and instead of holding onto the chains she settled against my chest. "Love you Momma," she said sleepily.

"I love you too," I answered feeling my throat tighten.

"Animals know not hurt and they come to me. I tell them in my head," Renesmee mumbled.

To her hunting wasn't hurting the animals. It was instinct, and I understood a little better what she was trying to explain to me. At the same time her words shocked me, because it meant if I was right, she could somehow communicate a calm that she wasn't a threat to them so she could get close enough to attack one, though I wasn't sure if that were possible.

"Not like spanks," Renesmee said rubbing her cheek against my chest as I slowed us down a little.

"I don't like them either," I answered surprised she was bringing it up after such a fun few hours.

"Hurt me and I get sad. Not want anymore."

"I don't want for Daddy or me to have to give you anymore, but that means you have to listen to the things we say, and not do things like sneaking out of the house, or pushing Anthony down when he tries to take one of your toys."

"Not share. He has his own toys," she said through a yawn.

"Do you feel like you need to use the potty?"

For a moment she was silent and still. When Renesmee nodded, I got up off the swing and got our things before heading toward the bathrooms and in a round about way the car.

There were no confrontations when I got my little girl settled in her seat and before we were even out of the park Renesmee was fast asleep. More than anything I hoped we would never have to punish her by spanking her, and had a feeling that from time to time she would end up getting one. What I had realized today was how much Renesmee and I needed to do more of this. She was opening up to me and I was going to make sure we had more time for that. We had been spending so much effort and time getting her on a routine along with Anthony that we, or at least I had failed to see just how much she needed this, how much we both needed this.

When we got home, Edward was there to get the bags while I got our baby out of her seat and into her bed without waking her. Renesmee hugged Dumbo and I noticed the how dirty her hands and face were. My instinct was to try and clean her up a little, but she needed her sleep and we could do that after she woke up.

Edward was waiting for me in our room and the moment I was in his arms, his lips were brushing lightly over mine. I returned his kisses with gentle ones of my own holding on to him as I thought about the events of the day.

"How was the park," he asked pulling his head slightly away from me.

"Wonderful. We both had such a good time, and she's such a smart little girl. I hate that I didn't do this sooner," I said feeling both sad and angry.

We sat in our bed cuddling and I heard Anthony gurgling at his Grandah, glad he was safe and that Charlie was here so I could tell Edward about the time I had with Renesmee. "She told me she doesn't like being spanked. We weren't even talking about that, and she just brought it up. How did she get to be so smart, and how did I miss it all?"

"We've had so much on our minds. We are both guilty for not seeing that what Renesmee needed was time alone with one of us."

"We need to try and both do that for our children," I said feeling strongly about keeping that commitment.

"I agree. What else did she tell you?" Edward asked as he pulled his fingers gently through my hair, getting some of the tangles out as he did.

"She said she can tell the animals things with her mind, but I'm not sure I if that's what she meant."

"It may be that she can, and that was why the cat didn't feel threatened until Charlie got too close. That also helps me understand why she wants to go outside by herself."

I sighed, lifting my head from Edward's chest, "We can't let her do that right now."

"No, not until she's older and stronger."

"That won't make her happy."

"No it won't," Edward agreed before we shared a kiss, ending all conversation for the time being.

~Edward~

While Bella helped Charlie give Anthony a bath, I thought about the things my wife had said about our daughter. Most of what Renesmee did defiantly was out of boredom. She was a very smart little girl, and we needed to find new ways of engaging her. We also needed to each take time out of the day to have one on one time with Renesmee, something I knew we would both commit too. As to what our daughter had said about not wanting spankings, I hoped we could find other ways, though the times she lost control sometimes a couple of swats was the only thing that got her attention.

As I sat at the computer looking over our online bank statement, I was also aware of Renesmee's approach. Without her having to tell me she was there I turned the chair and lifted her against my chest gently rocking her as she pressed her cheek against my shoulder. With her still in my arms, I finished looking over our account before switching over to our stock portfolio to see how our investments were doing.

"Go hunt," Renesmee whispered still snug in my arms. After clicking out of the online applications, and signing off I stood up. We had planned to take Anthony with us, but with our son bathed and ready for bed, Charlie had agreed to keep him here. Downstairs Bella had Renesmee's shoes and our baby remained against my chest as her Momma put them on her feet.

With Renesmee on my back, I followed my wife in the woods watching as Bella took off after a sweet scent which meant a big cat was near by.

"Show you Daddy," Renesmee said as she lifted her head away from the back of my neck. I was on the trail of some deer, the easiest animal to catch and kill, and the safest with my baby so close. Her mind was clear of all things and there really wasn't any one thought, but there was a calm even as I ran closer to a herd of deer.

Renesmee struggled to be put down and I held on, conflicted.

"Daddy, not hurt me, let go," she whispered, knowing how quiet we had to be.

I stopped and let her down and Renesmee ran on ahead of me. Bella was already hissing at me, on her way to us when I stopped because my baby did. I knelt down hearing Bella stopping as well. Renesmee was very still and very calm as a second later a small fawn stepped out of the trees. It didn't see me among the bushes as I remained as still as a statue.

Another second passed as the fawn moved over to my baby putting its nose right into Renesmee's hand. When it laid down in front of her my shock was written all over my face, and my senses were on overload making sure a buck wasn't close by. The herd had moved far from where we were and there was know way to explain what I was seeing.

"I not know how Daddy," Renesmee whispered.

I stayed low to the ground and slowly made it to her side. The fawn remained resting in front of her though when it saw me it tried to get up. I was able to grab it and hold it against my chest.

"I do it," Renesmee said as I held the fawn still. I pushed it's neck back and held the animal while my daughter bit in. The fawn struggled longer than it would have if Bella or I would have caught it, but eventually it stopped moving and Renesmee was able to rest beside it as she drank. By that time Bella was next to me.

"How?"

"I'm not sure," I whispered keeping one hand on my daughter's back, still conflicted by it all.

~*~

It was a relief when Carlisle and Esme arrived the next day, a few days early. Charlie had gone home early, needing to take charge of the missing pet problem that as on a rise in Forks. While Bella and Esme had the kids outside enjoying the sun, Carlisle and I sat in the living room as I told him about the hunt. "She wasn't really thinking any one thought, but there was instant calm when she was focused, and that fawn came right to her," I said still stunned by it all.

"Are you willing to let her hunt that way again?"

"It feels wrong having her kill at such a young age, but I'm not sure now that she has, we can keep her from doing this on her own. I guess it depends on what animal comes to her, and how fast I can catch it because she's not ready to do that part by herself."

Carlisle nodded and was as lost as I was in this. "What you described sounds similar to what Jasper does with his abilities. Perhaps we need to send a letter to Nahuel and Huilen to see if they have seen this before."

"Bella sent out an email today. It will take a while for them to be able to check on that," I pointed out wanting answers, though how Jasper manipulated the environment around him was sort of the same, and I hadn't thought of that. The hardest part to all of this was not knowing and my frustration as a result was growing. "How was your time in Denali?"

"We had a good visit. There are some new nomads staying with Tonya and her sisters. They too have encountered some Children of the Night. It seems more attacks have happened in their area of the world," Carlisle said.

I nodded, my mind still on my daughter, though the fact that there had been more attacks in Alaska made me wonder if and when the Volturi might step in. There really hadn't been anything in the news, which was a good sign that they would likely stay in Italy for the time being. Thinking of them brought up a whole new set of concerns. "Bella and I need to find a way to go there," I said as I listened to my father's thoughts while he tried to find a way to explain the experience we had with Renesmee.

Carlisle looked at me shaking his head, "The risk of them finding out about Anthony and Renesmee is too great," he reminded.

I leaned forward, resting my head against the palms of my hands, "I know, I keep hoping that they have too much on their hands to remember us, and Alice's promise to Aro, along with the fact that Jane was here during that time with the New Born Army to see that Bella had not been changed." It was seldom I let myself worry to this extent, and I felt guilty for not talking to Bella about my thoughts. She was nearly always open with me, and yet I still tried to shield her from having to worry about me as well.

My wife and mother were on the return trip, and Renesmee was talking about Lily, before I could address that, Carlisle brought it up. "Who is Lily?"

"Her imaginary friend," I said, explaining about that day on our walk. "She hasn't really been thinking about Lily too much lately, and I'm hoping now that Bella and I are working on giving her some time individually, Renesmee won't find the need to have one," I voiced standing up as I heard the start of a struggle with my daughter outside. Renesmee wanted to show Esme how she could hunt, and none of us were comfortable with doing that at this time.

"Why don't we go in and tell Pop about Lily," Bella was saying as I walked to the back of the house in the far den. They were at the door and Renesmee was standing her ground shaking her head. My wife had Anthony in her arms, but handed him to Esme before she knelt down in front of our little girl. "We need to go inside now, and I would like for you to listen," Bella said firmly.

"Want show Nanna," Renesmee whined. I did my best not to listen to my daughter's thoughts, though they were already on ways to get away from my wife and Esme. It was that sort of thing that was going to get her in to trouble, and I waited, knowing Bella needed to handle this on her own.

My mother came inside with the baby, and when Anthony saw me, he reached out wanting me to take him. Once he was in my arms he sighed and rested his cheek against my left shoulder.

"He's such a happy boy," Esme was saying as Renesmee agreed to come inside. My wife smiled in at us taking her eyes off of our daughter for only a second which was all it took for our daughter to turn and run. Bella was instantly aware of what had happened and went after her.

"And my granddaughter is a ball of fire," Esme said when Bella caught and spanked her.

"Yes she is," I agreed as Anthony began to fuss.

Aside from the one time when Renesmee tried to run from Bella, the rest of the day was pleasant. After we put the babies to bed, the rest of us gathered downstairs in the living room, and Carlisle told Bella about the attacks in and around the Denali area with The Children of the Night. We also talked about his observations about how Renesmee's ability was similar to Jasper's.

"It will be good to see what he gets from her when they get her," Bella said after we left to go on a walk, leaving Esme and Carlisle behind with the children.

"I know. I can only read her thoughts, though I could also feel the calm she created when she got the fawn to come to her," I said, holding Bella's hand in my own.

After that we walked down our driveway in silence not really needing to fill the time with conversation. My thoughts were on my earlier observations and worries and I sighed. "I've been worrying about the Volturi," I finally said, and as I finished my sentence, Bella stopped and came in front of me.

"I had a feeling your mind was on something," she said. "When you're worried about something you get distracted. I don't think anyone whose human really notices," She said before wrapping her arms around me. "I wish you would have said something sooner."

Having her hold me gave me strength and after a moment I wrapped my arms around her, "I know I need too, but we've had so much going on with Renesmee, and I sometimes forget that you can likely handle that and helping me come to terms with those thoughts that cause me to be worry," I said kissing the top of my wife's head while breathing in her floral scent.

"I think we need to make it a point to talk more after we get the babies to bed," Bella murmured rubbing her cheek against my shirt. We usually did, but again we had both had a lot on our minds. When my wife moved her hands up my back bringing them against the back of my head while she lifted hers away from my chest, my thoughts on any further discussion were pushed away. At that moment all I wanted were my lips on hers, and without much encouragement from her, I brought my head down, crushing her lips with my own, ready to show my wife just how much I truly loved her.

~*~

AN: Alright, another chapter sent out. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I really want to work on showing Renesmee's change into the other part of who she is, so this idea of her being able to attract an animal to her so that she can kill and feed on it came to mind. At the same time, I still want Edward and eventually Bella to have to help her since she's only three physically, and to an extent mentally. I've really enjoyed the family time and still have a little more to go on that before I address the Children of the Night and the Volturi and the role they will play in this and in any future stories.

Thank you all for the great reviews, as always they are most welcome and greatly appreciated. Also thanks for all the adds to favorite lists with this story and some older ones. You all are the best.

~Ella~