A/N: I broke 100 000 words on this story tonight. I think that calls for a celebratory update! I know it's probably frustrating for all of you who want to see what's happening with Jake and Nessie… don't worry, next chapter will see them having a reunion of sorts after Nessie's day trip to Connecticut.

But for now… have some Edward and Bella. Crazy, crazy Bella. If any of you have an issue with how she's been acting (crazy), simply reread New Moon (Crazy), or watch the movie (CRAZY), and then remember that she's a vampire now, so everything is just a little bit exaggerated. Bella and Edward are like my favorite drama queens of all time. I am SO GLAD I don't have to live with them.

Thanks for all the reviews of the last chapter! Let's all do this every time, okay? It would make me really happy… and signed reviewers, I will reply to you! Scouts' Honor!

Chapter 15: Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch…

If Bella had been difficult to handle before, she was insufferable now.

Edward found himself pacing outside the door to Carlisle's office, waiting rather impatiently for his foster father and his wife to emerge. It took a great deal of turmoil to make Edward pace, but in this situation he found it was warranted.

He'd learned his lesson about keeping things from his wife, but that didn't necessarily mean he was happy about having to tell her everything. Full disclosure was great, in theory, but when Bella threatened to fly off the handle if she found out about anyone so much as looking at their daughter, Edward's vow to always tell her the whole truth suddenly became a major impediment to their living in peace.

At least, when the only threat had been Jacob, Bella could be rational and make an attempt to control her protective instincts. But now that there was apparently some stranger vying for Renesmee's attention, there was no telling how long it would take before the youngest vampire in their small family decided to break away from them, run all the way to Manhattan, find this boy and kill him swiftly and brutally. She needed a different perspective on the situation, and fast.

Not that Edward didn't have his own concerns regarding Renesmee's new suitor. And at the first opportunity, he would be speaking to her very seriously about exactly who this young man was. But that would actually require her returning his call, which hadn't happened as of yet. Granted, it had only been four hours since he'd spoken to Jacob, a miniscule drop in the bucket when one had eternity to waste… but Edward wasn't exactly the most patient immortal in the history of the world. His daughter would have to return his phone call, and sooner, rather than later.

The door to the office clicked open, and Edward looked up at the sound, expecting Bella. Instead, it was Carlisle who looked out into the hallway. When he caught sight of his adopted son, he came through the door, shutting it firmly behind himself, and walked over to where Edward had halted his pacing.

"I've managed to convince her to let Jasper in," he said, a worried expression on his face. Not half a moment later, the vampire in question appeared at the top of the stairs and strode towards the door to the office, stepping inside and closing the door once again. So the whole family was listening. Spectacular. Edward grimaced.

"No luck talking her through it, then?" He asked, but it wasn't really a question, seeing as he'd already seen the answer walk into the study. Carlisle made a motion that was part way between a nod and a shrug.

"She's thinking clearly enough to agree to let Jasper step in," he replied. "But that's about it." Edward shook his head.

"This is insane, Carlisle," He said in his lowest possible voice. He didn't want Bella to hear and feel embarrassed. "What are we going to do? If she can't adjust to the idea of Renesmee growing up and having relationships…"

That, I can't tell you, Carlisle thought. But we'll work it through. "I think we can probably go in and speak with her now," He said out loud. Edward was through the door in less than a second.

"Bella?" He said, slowing once he was inside of the room and looking searchingly at his wife. Her head was bowed towards the floor, and she was sitting rather gracelessly in Carlisle's desk chair. Her head came up in slow motion at the sound of her voice, and a lazy smile spread across her lips.

"Edward," she drawled, "You're here." She brought up a hand and stroked it through the air, as if grasping for him, despite the several feet of distance between them. Edward's gaze flashed to Jasper, who gave him the tiniest hint of a smile.

I thought it was best to dose her heavily. Precaution, he thought. Edward narrowed his eyes.

"I think you can let up on the juice, Jasper," he hissed. His brother quirked an eyebrow.

"She's fine," he said, "She's great. Aren't you, Bella?"

"Great," Bella repeated, drawing the word out longer than was necessary. Then she chuckled. "I feel excellent."

"Jasper." Edward's expression left no room for interpretation. Jasper actually snorted, and then his eyes went slightly unfocused. Edward watched as Bella straightened up slightly in her seat, seeming to shake off a bit of the haze. Edward went to her side. "How do you feel?" He said quietly. Bella looked up at him with a somewhat bewildered expression.

"It's weird but… I think I'm tired?" Then she shook her head. "That's not possible."

Edward threaded his fingers through hers, trying his best to sooth her with his touch. "You're emotionally drained," he said softly. "You have to try to relax. Stay near to Jasper, and try not to think too hard about anything."

He could see the moment when she remembered. "Renesmee," she said shortly after. "I have to help her… she's in danger…"

"She's perfectly fine," Edward said, although he mentally added that he might pose a threat to her himself if she didn't return his call. "Bella, whoever this young man is, it isn't likely he is a danger to Renesmee. Even Jacob doesn't seem to be worried, with respect to her safety at least."

"Jacob." Bella said his name like she'd only just remembered he existed. "Oh… I acted so horribly to Jacob. And all along, he was just looking out for her. Like me." She looked slightly horrified, but in the manner of someone who found they'd stepped in another person's chewing gum, rather than that of someone who'd ranted for months about wanting to cause the death of a close friend. Edward was suddenly very glad Jasper had the ability to control the amount of emotional anesthesia he doled out. "He was never the one I should have worried about."

"You're not yourself when it comes to Renesmee," Edward said carefully. "Do you feel badly, now, over how you acted towards Jacob?"

"I was awful," Bella said abstractly. "Poor Jake. I wonder if he'll be able to move past it one day." She didn't really sound all that bothered by it. Edward knew that, had she not been brain-doped by Jasper, she'd either be in a murderous rage or totally devastated at the realization she'd just reached.

"Jacob has moved past a great many things where you are concerned," He said bluntly. Might as well… better she hear him say these things in her current state. "I'm sure that it will work out, in the end."

"I'd rather she was with him than this stranger," She said, and then at the remembrance of the current situation, she groaned slightly and said, "Edward, we have to help her. Our daughter needs us."

"Bella," Edward thought carefully before continuing. "If what Jacob told me is correct, she is pursuing this man herself. Not the other way around." He sighed unnecessarily. "This is her choice. And she's a grown woman. We have to accept that, now or later… one day we'll be forced to."

Bella looked slightly cowed, and she looked up at him with wide eyes. "I kept it together all right, before," she said quietly. "Edward, I did try."

He felt his heart twist in response to his wife's forlorn voice. "I know, love," he said, cupping her smooth cheek with his hand. "You did so well, after they left. Everybody slips sometimes. But now that we've gotten you calmed down, you need to stay that way. That means coming to terms with what's happening to our daughter." Bella shook her head.

"I can't, Edward. I'm supposed to protect her. She's mine."

"And she'd mine. And Carlisle's, and Esme's, and the rest of the family's. And Jacob's. But mostly, Bella, she's her own. We can't stand in the way of what she wants just because we love her." He caressed her cheek again and leaned in close. "I know it's your instinct to keep her safe from harm, but the only harm she faces in this situation is the type that comes from growing and living. And she needs that. Just as you needed it… just as I needed it."

Edward. Jasper's thoughts in his head. She's starting to relax.I'm going to ease up a bit… be ready. Edward gave the tiniest nod, really just a slight twitch, to acknowledge Jasper's warning.

"But she's mine," Bella repeated, this time sounding incredibly lost. "Edward… what will I do without her? What will we do?"

Edward placed his lips to his wife's forehead, and spoke quietly into her cool, smooth skin. "We'll never lose her," he said firmly. "She'll always be our daughter. Nothing can ever change that. And because she's our daughter and we love her, we have to allow her to grow up."

Bella was silent for a long moment, and then she said, "Do human parents feel this horrible when their children grow up?"

Edward had to chuckle at that, albeit humorlessly. "Yes, darling," he replied, "I'd imagine they do."

"Oh, Renesmee…" Edward was sure that, if she could have, Bella would be crying. "It's too soon."

"I know. It does feel that way." Edward smoothed her hair soothingly. "But really… she's dealt with boys before without any sort of disaster. It's no different this time, I'm sure." He wasn't sure he believed it, but it might be of some comfort. "Besides, is there any doubt in your mind that Renesmee and Jacob will end up together?" Bella shook her head 'no', and Edward gave her a small yet pained smile. "Then there'ss really nothing to worry about. This boy can't take her away from us… he's just there to pass the time, for now. Like I said, she's dated boys before, to test the waters, see what she was comfortable with… I'm sure this is no different."

"It is different." Bella sounded resigned and miserable. "She wasn't ready then, so there was never any danger of us really losing her. But she's ready now." She looked up at her husband. "I should have known. That phone call the other week… this must be what that was about. This boy. She was so upset, Edward… she actually said she didn't think anybody would ever love her. What if she gets hurt? What if he breaks her heart?"

Edward looked into her eyes and shook his head. "Renesmee is a strong, smart young woman," He said, and then, with a small smile, "Just like her mother was at her age."

Bella looked far from comforted at that statement. "That is exactly what I'm worried about."

oooOOOooo

It took a while, but Jasper was finally able to step aside and let Bella self-regulate her own emotions. She was, of course, extremely embarrassed by her behavior, and went around for most of the evening apologizing to the rest of the family for taking up their time and energy. Edward couldn't help but be reminded of the awkward, clumsy human girl he'd met, always blundering something and then worrying about how badly she'd put everyone out. It seemed like ages ago, even when considered next to his rather lengthy existence. It was hard, now, to imagine a time without her.

Everyone but Rosalie reassured Bella that they understood it was her maternal instincts, and not Bella herself, that caused her to act so crazy over Renesmee. Rose, of course, had simply removed herself to the garage when the drama started, according to her usual routine for what she called 'Bella-Time'. When Bella approached her sister-in-law, who was engaged in fixing something beneath the hood of Emmett's car, and apologized profusely for disrupting the peace, Rosalie simply shrugged.

"I've been working on the Jeep," She said a bit loftily. "Were you upset? Hadn't noticed."

Of course, the storm was far from over. Bella assured Edward that she could keep things under control for the time being, but she still wasn't happy. She told him she could only see one solution, and that was for them to go see their daughter and have a sit-down talk with her.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, my love," Edward said slowly. "It's probably best if you're nowhere near this… situation." He wanted to avoid mentioning the boy, the stranger their daughter was apparently involved with, in case it set her off again. Although he had to admit, since reasoning with her, Bella seemed to have come around to the idea that this new boy wasn't 'The One', and it seemed to have calmed her down tremendously to think that their daughter wouldn't be taken away from them so soon. Edward figured that was the healthiest attitude any of them could hope for, and it comforted him to think that way as well.

"Well then, we'll just make her come back here."

Edward considered the idea. Renesmee certainly wouldn't be ready to come back home for good, but if they could convince her to come home for a visit… "That might be a better option," he admitted. Bella looked pleased. "But," he said quickly, "We have to be careful how we put it to her. You know her… if she suspects that we're attempting to run her life or make her decisions for her, she'll balk. It could make things worse."

"Good point." Bella paused. "Can't we just tell her the truth: that we miss her and we'd like to see her?"

"That's not the whole truth, Bella."

"No, it's part of the truth. But it's still the truth."

Edward put up his hands as if in surrender. "All right. I'll try calling her again, we'll see if we can't set this plan in motion." He picked up the house phone and hit his daughter's number on speed dial. After four rings, the answering machine came on again. Edward scowled… she still hadn't returned his earlier messages, and now he had to leave another. That girl needed a talking to. "Renesmee, it's your father," he said, his irritation clear in his tone. "Please call me back. I'd like to speak with you." He hung the phone back in its cradle, perhaps a bit more forcefully than was strictly necessary.

"She's not picking up?" Bella said, concerned. Edward did his best to smooth over his unpleasant expression.

"Not to worry, I'm sure she's just busy. Jacob mentioned she was at the library earlier, maybe her ringer is still off."

Bella actually smiled mockingly at this. "Library on a Saturday. She must get that from you."

"You read," Edward pointed out.

"Yeah, but reading and studying are two very different things."

Edward barely caught himself before he pointed out that there were worse things she could be doing.

He really didn't think Bella needed the reminder.

oooOOOooo

"I have a request." Alice was suddenly in front of Edward, bouncing ever-so-slightly on the balls of her feet with a wry smile on her face. He picked out of her mind what she was about to ask before she could say it, and he could easily pinpoint the exact moment when she saw the outcome of his decision. Her smile grew, and she gave him a light, affectionate bump on the shoulder with her tiny, white fist. "Thanks, Edward!" She said, turning on her heel and crossing the room to where Jasper sat. "We're going to town," she announced as she unceremoniously dropped into his lap.

Emmett was looking between Edward and Alice with a blank expression. "I hate it when they do that." Bella rolled her eyes.

"You're telling me," she said.

"I just asked Edward if Jazz and I could come with you to pick up Nessie," She explained. "I know how you feel about the… situation out there, Bella. So I thought maybe we could head in, do some shopping, get Nessie and Jacob from the loft, and then meet up with you two somewhere on the outskirts of town."

"The wolf is coming to visit?" Rosalie asked disdainfully.

"It's part of the pitch," Edward said, partly by way of explanation and partly to neutralize his sister's vitriol. "Jacob needs to see the pack, and he also need to spend some time around us. We're not sure how long it will take without our presence for him to stop phasing and start aging, and I don't think we should leave it long enough to find out."

"Speak for yourself," Rosalie scoffed. "Personally, I'd like nothing more than to see the puppy grow up and become all wrinkly and frail." Emmett chuckled at his wife's obvious pretense, and so did Edward. He knew that his sister cared for Jacob just as much as the rest of them did. Maybe even more… he knew from her thoughts that Rosalie keenly felt the absence of her verbal sparring partner. In Jacob, Rosalie had truly met her match… a kindred spirit, although she'd rather roll in dirt than admit it.

"Edward," Alice piped in, "Could you make up your mind to go next weekend?" Edward thought for a moment and nodded, only to see Alice shake her head fretfully. "Too sunny," she said with a frown. "The weekend after." Edward rolled his eyes, but concentrated on the following week anyhow. "Ah… snow," Alice said with a grin. "It's early, but it's pretty. And maybe… yes, Jasper and I will stay behind an extra night…"

And so it was decided: they would get Renesmee and Jacob in two weeks time and bring them home for a visit. When Bella pointed out that the date coincided with American Thanksgiving, Edward realized it would be all that much easier to convince his daughter. After all, most human students went home for the holidays. And she wanted to act human, didn't she?

Now all she had to do was call him back so that he could work on making her think the whole visit was her idea. Edward wasn't so sure about that part. His daughter was pretty perceptive.

But then again… he could read minds.

In the Next Chapter:

"I can take care of myself, Jacob! Look… I'm fine. I'm not dead, or maimed, nor have I been recruited by the Volturi or taken apart by wolves."

Jacob's breath hitched involuntarily. "That isn't funny," he hissed. Renesmee ignored him completely…