A/N: I know you're all anxious to see if Bella will murder Jacob or not… but you're just gonna have to wait! Instead, you get a flaskback! But not just any flashback… a Cullen family ensemble cast flashback. My favorite scenes are the ones with all the Cullen family members, so I really enjoyed writing this. Hope you enjoy reading it, too!

Please review… I'd love to hear from you!

~Crit.

Chapter 6: Six Weeks Ago

"Can't we just do this quietly?" Renesmee asked plaintively, dragging her heels as she followed her parents up to the main house at human speed.

"Would you prefer it if nobody in this family was the least bit concerned for your welfare?" Edward couldn't help being just the tiniest bit irritated with his daughter. The entire family was doing their best to accommodate her, and she seemed to do nothing but complain about their attention. "Not everything can be on your terms, Renesmee. We're going to help you to get what you want, but there needs to be compromise on your part as well."

Renesmee seemed to take the reprimand to heart, but Edward could hear from her thoughts that she was still deeply unimpressed with the situation. "I just don't see why we have to have a senate meeting over it," she said sullenly. Her mother shot her a look. "What, would you prefer 'House of Commons'?"

"We are your family, Renesmee, not a governing body." Edward could tell from her voice that Bella was losing control of her irritation as well.

"Could have fooled me."

When they got to the house, the rest of the family was already seated around the table. Edward took a seat at the foot of the table. Renesmee sat down next to him, flanked on the other side by Bella. Carlisle looked down from the head of the table with a smile.

"We all know why we're here," he said mildly. Something unreadable passed over his face. "One of us has decided to leave."

Edward shot Renesmee a look before she could retort, and she clamped her mouth shut. Carlisle continued.

"Renesmee, I know the reasons for your leaving, and I know that you only intend to be gone a short while. This whole family supports you in your decision." Edward watched as his daughter looked around the table at their family, one by one, and took in their expressions. Esme, beside Carlisle, with her subtle, knowing smile. Alice, looking slightly uneasy, probably because she couldn't see what was likely to happen to her niece once she left. Jasper looked at her supportively, but it seemed a little strained, probably because he was sitting next to Bella, who was still pretty upset over the whole ordeal. On Edward's other side sat Rosalie and Emmett. Rose looked unimpressed, but Edward knew that in the end, she'd never begrudge her niece anything. Emmett was smiling at Renesmee, commiserating. "Except for your mother, we've all been living this life for so long that sometimes it's hard to remember what it feels like to be human. We can't teach you those things, not properly. And if you feel the need to learn them, then you should be free to go." Carlisle smiled at his granddaughter, who was watching him with a slack-jawed, incredulous expression on her face. "But."

"Again with the buts," Renesmee muttered before Edward had a chance to catch the thought and silence her. Emmett chuckled, and Rose glared at him. Carlisle just nodded.

"This is a family, Renesmee. And we're not a human family… we are vampire. When one of us has a need, all of us have a need, and we will endeavor to find the most appropriate solution through earnest and open counsel." Carlisle's expression was still kind, but hopelessly firm, and Edward silently cheered his adoptive father. There would be plenty of time for Renesmee to do things the human way—the private, lonely way— later, if that was what she wanted, but for now, they would handle the situation the same way they always did, together. Edward watched as Carlisle looked around the table at their family. "Who would like to begin?"

"I'll begin." Edward's head snapped towards his wife, who was looking very seriously at their daughter. "I'll start with the very least of my concerns. I don't like the idea of you moving to an unknown city with no purpose or direction. You want to feel human, Renesmee? I have the same concern that any human mother would for a child in this situation: what exactly do you intend to do while you're there? Are you planning to work, get a job, study, what? I'd hate to think you plan to just spend time and money hanging out."

Renesmee looked at her mother incredulously. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, mom." Bella looked at her pointedly, not taking the bait. Renesmee sighed. "Fine. I haven't got an exact plan, yet. I didn't even think I'd be able to go until just a couple weeks ago. But I've got some ideas. I'd like to do something where I can meet people, make some friends. Maybe more school, or I could try to get a job at a museum or maybe one of the galleries…"

Bella looked mildly relieved. Carlisle and Esme were beaming. "I have some connections at NYU, if it's study you decide on," Carlisle said helpfully. "Bella, does that settle that matter?" Bella nodded. Edward could tell she hadn't nearly said her peace, but she would wait. Carlisle looked around the table once more. "Anyone care to go next?"

Rose. Of course. "I don't like it," she said firmly. "It's dangerous." Renesmee shot her aunt a withering look, the only effect of which was Emmett guffawing loudly.

"Look, Rose," He said, clapping his wife on the back, "You've got a doppleganger!" She rounded on him with a much more lethal version of the same expression, and then turned back to the group at large.

"Renesmee, we've managed to keep you from danger for over seventeen years. Nobody has come after you since just after you were born. That doesn't mean they won't. It just means that they haven't yet."

"I don't see anything involving the Volturi," Alice intervened. "And I don't see any fallout from an attack on Renesmee when she's by herself, either. But I have to say, it makes me uneasy as well." She turned to Renesmee with a pleading expression. "I'm sorry, Nessie, but you know I can't see you at all. It worries me that I won't be able to check up on you."

"If we were a human family—" Renesmee began. Edward cut her off.

"We're not."

"But if we were…" Renesmee insisted. Just listen for a minute, okay? She thought clearly. Edward backed off. "If we were, I'd be leaving the house at this age anyhow. And Alice most likely wouldn't be able to see anyone at all, not just me. The world is full of dangers for humans… us, for one. And they still let their children leave home when they get old enough." Renesmee was trying really hard to reason out her argument. "At least, in this case, I have a bit of an added advantage. My skin is almost as impermeable as all of yours… I'm fast, and I'm strong. And I can fight. The human world isn't really all that dangerous for someone like me."

"Humans are ignorant of the dangers this world posseses," Esme said gently. "If they knew about all of the things out there that could harm them, they might not ever let their children leave home at all."

"But Gramma—"

"Sweetie, I know you have to do this, but I think—we all think—that you would be safer if you had someone with you."

Renesmee looked around the table sullenly. "So, what, my chance at a normal human existence involves a refrigerator full of chilled blood for whichever of you gets to chaperone me?" She shook her head. "You know what? Just forget it. You guys win… I'll just stay here forever."

Jasper, who until this point had been silent, finally spoke up. "Renesmee, you could at least attempt to be open to this discussion," he said. "We're only trying to think of a solution that everybody can live with." He found her eyes and held her gaze steadily. "You could try to think of one yourself. How about you suggest some ideas that you can live with, and we talk it out?"

Renesmee narrowed her eyes, thinking. "Okay… give me a minute." Eight pairs of amber eyes stared at her, unblinking. "Could you maybe… not stare at me? I'm starting to feel like I'm about to be dinner." There was a chuckle from Emmett, and Bella made a small exasperated noise.

"You need to spend less time around that dog of yours," Rose said testily. "You're starting to adopt his sense of humour, and it's less than flattering."

Edward heard Renesmee's sudden thought before she voiced it.

"I don't think so," he said loudly at the exact moment that his daughter cried out, "Jacob!"

"What?" Both Bella and Rosalie were gripping the table tightly. Renesmee wore a triumphant expression. Carlisle, Esme and Jasper looked pleased. Despite his initial reaction, Edward began to see the potential benefits of the idea.

Renesmee was out of her seat, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet as she leaned over the table and animatedly explained her newly-formed plan to her family. "Jacob can come with me! He's plenty strong enough to protect me, his senses are better than mine, and he can keep in touch with the pack just by phasing. If it's a vampire that's after me, he'd be the best chance at keeping me safe… even better than any one of you." She looked rapidly between her parents. "You've always trusted Jake to look after me… why not now? Think about it… it's the perfect plan!" Now she looked directly at Edward, grabbing his arm tightly. Her eyes were wide and pleading. "Please, dad? Please, can it be Jake who comes with me?"

Edward knew then that it was really the only option Renesmee was likely to accept. He also knew that he couldn't tell her yes, not right there and then. "Your mother and I will have to discuss it," he said tersely, eyeing Bella past his daughter's shoulder. Renesmee turned on her mother.

"Mo-o-om…" She wheedled. Bella still had her eyes locked on Edward's, and she dropped her mental shield.

I hate this idea, Edward, she thought clearly and distinctly. But she's already made up her mind.

"I know," Edward replied. Renesmee groaned.

"I hate it when you talk about me right in front of my face," she said. Her parents ignored her. The rest of the family was busy trying to decipher Bella's side of the conversation.

Realistically, he'd never let her go without him anyway. If he's going to tag along after her, she might as well know he's there. And he'd never let anything happen to her… Bella stopped her mental rambling. I suppose the good probably outweighs the bad. I just don't know if I'm ready for this yet.

"Neither do I." Edward grimaced. "But you have to admit…"

I know… I think it may be the only way. Edward nodded, and he immediately felt Bella's mental shield go back up.

"Carlisle," she said slowly, "What do you think of Jacob accompanying Renesmee?"

Carlisle grinned down the table at them. "I think that, if you and Edward are happy with the idea, it would be the most appropriate solution. As Renesmee has pointed out, Jacob is more than capable of protecting her. Of course, this is assuming he is willing to go."

"He will be," Renesmee interrupted.

Carlisle paid her no heed, simply continuing. "If he is willing to leave the pack for an extended period of time, I believe he would be a good choice to accompany Renesmee."

Renesmee made a small, triumphant sound. "Can he really come with me? Mom?" Bella rolled her eyes.

"I agree with Carlisle," she said flatly. Renesmee turned to Edward.

"Dad?"

"I agree with your mother."

The family meeting had stretched on for a while longer, with topics of discussion ranging from what the protocol would be in the case of an emergency (Flight before fight, contact the family immediately, stay close to Jacob and head for a public place with lots of witnesses) to lodgings and décor. Alice and Esme were already planning an online shopping trip to pick out home furnishings and decorations. When they were done, Renesmee gave them all her earnest thanks, and even apologized for 'acting like a bit of a brat'. Then she tore off in the direction of the pack house, which she could usually reach at a run in about five minutes, to tell Jacob the plan.

Edward could see that another weight had been lifted from his daughter's shoulders. After the initial relief of telling her parents of her desire to leave, Renesmee had spun into another sulk, which there had been no explanation for. Edward could hear what the other members of the family could not, of course, and he quickly figured out that Renesmee was dreading Jacob's reaction to the idea of her moving away. He wouldn't want her to leave, and she clearly didn't want to leave him. Now, as it turned out, she didn't have to. She'd found a way for him to go with her, and not only that but the entire Cullen family had agreed, to varying degrees, that it was the best possible course of action.

Bella and Edward were silent the entire way back to their house. Once they were inside, Bella turned to her husband, and the look on her face made Edward wonder, for a moment, if they had made the right choice.

"I'm not ready for this," she said, repeating her earlier sentiment. "She's so young."

Edward nodded, understanding completely. "I'm not completely comfortable with it either," he confessed. "I hate the thought that I won't be able to hear what he's thinking, and to know what they're up to. But lately it's started to feel…" he paused, feeling silly even saying it, "… to feel like I'm spying on her. And I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with that anymore, either."

Bella closed her eyes and grimaced. "I know. That's why she and I had that deal about me shielding her. But I can't do it all the time. And to be honest… I've been selfish. I want to know what she's up to as much as you do. I can't say that if I had your power I wouldn't be listening to them both just as often as you do." She looked at him with a smile, guilty smile. "I'd probably even do it more."

This made Edward smile just a little. But he quickly sobered, thinking of the subject at hand. "She's become very disciplined with her thoughts lately," he mused. "I know I'm not getting everything from her. She's always controlling what she thinks about around me, parceling off her thoughts into different piles: one for when she's near me, and one for when she's not. I've heard her start to think about things and then shove them aside into what she thinks of as 'far away thoughts'. I assume that means she takes those ideas back out when she's not around me. She generally puts Jacob into that category, although not always."

Bella looked impressed. "She never told me that," she said.

"She's still perfecting her method. From what I can piece together, she plans to share it with the others when she's mastered it. My guess is she doesn't think you need to know, seeing as you already have your own way of keeping your mind private." Edward grinned. "I'd feel betrayed, but frankly I'll be glad if there are some things I never have to hear from my parents or siblings ever again. I'm sure that's part of why she's doing it."

"So what you're saying," Bella said carefully, "Is that you're not sure what her thoughts and feelings about Jacob are." Edward nodded slowly.

"So far, I've only heard innocent things. They're friends… she loves him, of course, as a friend, and she wants to be around him all the time. Anything other than that she either hasn't considered in any huge way, or she's done it when we've been apart." Edward paused, and the added, "Or when you've been shielding her."

Bella nodded. "What about Jacob?" she said. Edward's expression turned sour.

"He's not as in control as she is when it comes to his thoughts. Things pass through his mind before he can distract himself, and sometimes I catch certain things that I'd rather not." He tried hard not to look like he was too disturbed by the idea. "She has been physically mature for almost ten years now, and to Jacob's credit his thoughts have been remarkably mild. When he does think of her as anything other than a friend, he mostly just thinks about how beautiful she is, or how much he cares about her. It's mostly pure, well intentioned."

"You used the word 'mostly' about a dozen times during that description," Bella pointed out. "What about the times when his thoughts are… less than pure?"

Edward winced at the memories. "He's a grown man, Bella," he reminded her. "You've been the object of his affection… use your imagination."

Bella growled. "I don't think you want me to do that," she said testily.

"That's my point."

"Edward, are we really going to send them off together?" She was frowning. "I'm not sure he won't take it as carte blanche to do whatever he pleases with her." Edward could tell that Bella was growing increasingly agitated. "She's not ready. She doesn't even know about the imprint… what will she do when she finds out?"

"I don't know." Edward imagined several possible outcomes. None of them were anything he particularly wanted to think about. "She might try to kill him. But I think it's more likely that she'll—"

"Stop!" Bella was beginning to look a little wild. "That is our baby, Edward! I don't even want to imagine him with her!"

"Bella… Jacob loves her. You know that."

"I don't care!" She had begun to pace. "It was easy to deal with when it was a long way off, but now… it's too close. I can hardly stand it, knowing what he wants from her, knowing what he's going to try to…" She trailed off, obviously trying to regain control of her emotions. Edward watched his wife helplessly.

"It has always been inevitable," he said gently. "We knew this time would come eventually… we've had time to prepare."

"I'm not prepared." Bella turned to him, and he was startled by the wild look in her eyes. She looked… thirsty. "I'm afraid, Edward. I know it's not his fault… he can't control it. But when I think of him with her, I want…" She couldn't continue.

"What, Bella?" Edward prompted. "What do you want to do?"

"I want to tear his throat out!" Bella screamed, lunging at her husband and taking him by the arms. "I want to rip into his skin and snap his neck and spread his foul-smelling blood all over the forest! I want to destroy every last piece of him, to make sure he'll never, ever touch her!" Edward let his enraged wife push him to the floor. "I .dead."

"Bella," he said quietly. "You have to control your emotions." After a moment, Bella's grip loosened, and she rolled off of him, sitting beside him on the floor.

"I have been," she replied, shame replacing rage on her pale face. "I think I've been doing well… I haven't lost it until now, and I don't think Renesmee's noticed how upset I am. But Edward, knowing that he's going with her…" She shook her head. "I don't know if I'll be able to keep it up." She looked at him, and Edward could see the utter turmoil playing across her face. "I don't really want to hurt Jacob," she said plaintively. "He's my… my best friend. I just can't control myself when I think about it."

Edward sighed. "She already told him, Bella. She's there right now. They're making plans… the whole family is making plans. You should have said something before."

"I knew how unhappy it would make her if I refused," Bella said weakly. "There's only one solution."

Edward quirked an eyebrow at her. "What's that?"

"You have to keep me away from him." She looked at him pleadingly. "We let them go, if it'll make them happy. But until they're gone, until it's done, I can't be near him. Not without supervision." She turned her head and looked away, ashamed. "I don't know what I'll do if I'm left alone with him."

Edward took a moment to process this. "He'll know there's something going on with you. He's already noticed you being distant."

"It's the only way." Bella's expression was sad as she anticipated her loss. "Renesmee is going to be with Jacob. And I can't be in the middle of that. I need to distance myself from him." Edward took his wife's hands in his, stroking her smooth skin comfortingly.

"You're right," He said soothingly. "That's a very wise decision."

Bella laughed humourlessly. "If this is what being wise feels like, I think I'd rather be foolish."

Edward tilted his head towards the door. "Darling… they're on their way." Bella sighed and rose to her feet, and Edward got up alongside of her.

"We'll start now. Tell them I've gone to take care of some business. Give Jacob my apologies and tell Renesmee I'll see her later." She kissed him briefly before heading for the back door. And then she was gone.

At the sound of voices approaching, Edward turned, readying himself to face his daughter and the man who loved her.