Chapter 3

Edward had insisted Bella stay home and hunt while he went to get Renesme from the airport. He was looking forward to spending some quality time alone with his daughter on the drive back so his look of displeasure was not wasted on anyone who caught a glimpse of him when he saw his youthful, bronze-haired, baby girl walking hand in hand with an incredibly exotic looking, brown-skinned, young man with copper eyes. Walking side by side the two made quite a striking couple.

"Sweetheart, you didn't tell me you were bringing Nahuel," he remarked coolly.

Renesme threw her arms around her father. As he hugged her tightly, she whispered into his ear. "It's okay daddy. Nahuel and I are just friends. I'm still your little girl."

Edward flinched at the implied joke regarding her virtue. He certainly didn't see the humor and it definitely didn't stop him from shooting death rays at Nahuel which were, again, pretty visible to anyone who happened to take notice.

Nahuel undoubtedly did. Clearing his throat, "Edward,"—he immediately realized his error when Edward's eyes grew considerably larger then squinted while his frown deepened more menacingly at the insult of his familiarity with him, seeing how he, Nahuel, had just been holding his daughter's hand. "I mean…Mr. Cullen…I was there when Nessie…"

Edward's nostrils flared when he realized who Nessie was, "Who? Nessie? What did you call my daughter?"

Nahuel corrected himself again, "When Renesme received the call about her grandfather, I was there. She didn't want to travel alone so I offered to come along."

Edward jerked his attention toward Renesme. "I would have come and gotten you," he said flatly.

"I know daddy, but I wanted Nahuel to come. He's been wonderful."

Edward's eyes were full of disproval but he became "number one father" again when he saw his daughter's face crumple into tears. He fiercely held her to him. "Shh…it's all right, sweetheart. Daddy's here now," flashing a fatherly scowl at Nahuel.

She mumbled into his collar, "I didn't get to say goodbye, daddy. Or see him. I was so busy with my own life…," she sobbed whole-heartedly. No-doubt, people watching were probably thinking all three of them were some, young, sex-crazed trio involved in a "Who's your daddy?" role-play. Edward deemed it best to move along.

"Come on, sweetheart, let's get you home," Edward tenderly said as he walked with his arm protectively around Renesme. Nahuel awkwardly hung back, wondering if this had been such a good idea after all.

Edward was getting used to silent car rides. It had been a long flight so the long drive home had lulled Renesme and Nahuel to sleep. He carefully picked up the sleeping Renesme when they arrived at the house, but loudly banged on Nahuel's passenger window to awaken him. Nahuel jumped at the sound and got a full view of Edward's glare letting him know they had arrived. Edward's actions did not, however, wake his daughter and he easily carried her into the house. Bella met Edward at the front door with a kiss and equal surprise at seeing Nahuel.

Tiny Bella had no trouble taking her adult-sized daughter from Edward's arms into her own and carrying her to the sofa. She held Renesme as if she were still her sleeping baby, stroking her face, exquisitely gorgeous with Edward's delicate features and bronze curls. She placed light kisses on Renesme's forehead, gently prodding her awake, "Wake up honey. You're home now. Wake up. It's mom."

"Mom?" Renesme whispered as she slowly opened her eyes—Charlie's eyes, Bella thought.

"Yes, it's me."

Renesme looked at the face above her. Her mother: Beautiful forever. Loving forever. Her grandfather's child forever…and then she broke. She rose up and hugged Bella tightly as she cried the real tears Bella could only emulate. They held each other in grief while Edward supported them both with his enveloping embrace.

Later, after Esme and Carlisle had lovingly greeted Renesme and graciously welcomed Nahuel, followed by Edward ungraciously making dinner for the two, and then deciding where Nahuel would sleep-and how far away his room had to be from Renesme's; Edward wanted Renesme to sleep at Charlie's and Nahuel stay with them…more like stay with him, but Bella wanted her daughter to be with all her family, plus Carlisle and Esme wanted their granddaughter and guest to be with them as well-the house was finally still. Edward and Bella had stayed in Renesme's room, talking and laughing about Charlie, even Billy, until the tears had come again and she'd cried herself into a heavy sleep. As for Nahuel, he had been left to the curiosities of Carlisle who had been anxious to hear more about his hybrid nature.

Presently, Edward and Bella were resting in Edward's old room on the bed he had bought when Bella was still human; their favorite classical cd playing softly, several reread books surrounding them.

When is she going to mention, Jacob…out loud? Edward couldn't help but wonder and he really hated that the topic was even on his mind, but there it was. He knew it was impossible for her not to care at a time like this. But, he wanted it to be Bella's timing so he was doing his best not to push.

"So…Nahuel," Bella spoke.

Instinctively, Edward's chest growled and he forgot all about Jacob Black.

Bella lightly kissed his lips in appeasement. "You know he see's Renesme as more than just a friend, right?" Bella secretly thought about her own experience with such a relationship.

"I know. I read his thoughts on the way home, but our daughter obviously warned him about my screening abilities because it was all nonsense, jibber jabber, but I know what he wants!" Edward's tone was seething.

"Edward, Renesme specifically asked you not to do that again," Bella warned him,

Renesmee had explained to both her parents that she and Nahuel were good friends and that he and his aunt back in Brazil, along with the Amazonian sisters, had taken great care of her. He'd taught her so much about what it meant to be their kind—half human, half vampire—and she wanted to know much more.

But, Edward no longer cared what Nahuel was teaching Renesme. He figured Nahuel wanted what any boy or man, alive…or dead, wanted when they saw a beautiful woman like his daughter, and he took great personal offense when it became clear that Bella was shielding Nahuel and Renesmee's thoughts from him.

"Are you planning on keeping your shield up the whole time they're here?" Edward challenged.

"Pardon?" Bella quipped.

Edward brought his tone down a notch. "I can't help it, Bella. I'm her father. I have a right to know what Nahuel's intentions are. She's only eleven."

"First of all, I'm her mother. Secondly, she deserves some privacy, even if she is only eleven as she's a grown-up eleven year old. Actually, I'm looking forward to spending time with Nahuel and getting to know him better. It was very honorable of him to come, particularly knowing what kind of father you are. And it was very bold of him to nickname her, Nessie." Bella giggled at feeling Edward squirm beneath her at hearing her comments.

For a quick moment, Edward's mind backtracked to what Bella had just said about getting to know Nahuel. Hhm, he slyly contemplated to himself, spending time together. Now that sounds like a good idea...

Meanwhile, Bella continued, "And thirdly, imagine what Charlie would have done to you if he could have read your mind about what you wanted to do to me! He would have never let you come through the front door. Ever. And obviously there were a couple of times when he didn't."

Edward's voice became dark and sensuous, "I didn't come through the front door…I used the window, remember?"

"Charlie would have surely killed you had he known."

He wrapped his strong arms around her smooth frame. He whispered into her ear, "It's a good thing I was dead already."

Bella laughed and then her marble body froze as she remembered: Charlie's mortal life had ended at just fifty-one. Granted, hers ended at eighteen, but as an earthbound being that would never die, she really would never see him again. The thought was so final.

"I wasn't ready to lose him yet, Edward. I thought I would've had more time."

"I know, my love. I know."

Edward held Bella as she cried phantom tears once more.

The following days saw the Cullen house filled with family members: Alice, Esme, and Rosalie pampered the grieving mother and daughter to the fullest. Carlisle and Edward helped Bella work on Charlie's funeral arrangements which she would then discuss with Renee later on at her hotel. Bella brought Renesme along so all three could spend time together in private comfort.

As for Nahuel, he'd been very understanding and good-natured about the family protocol. It was tiresome at times, but fortunately, now that Jasper and Emmet were there, they took great delight in befriending him, more so as a way to unnerve Edward. They especially enjoyed referring to him as "nephew" and they were already calling Renesme, Nessie; Edward really burned at that. However, there still had been no word from Jacob. His father needed to be honored and buried properly as well, but Carlisle found out from Sam that everyone from Billy's side was hesitant to go along with his burial without Jacob's presence. Even Billy's daughters didn't know where Jake was or how to find him. Rachel, however, was insistent they go ahead with the funeral and it was simply Jake's tough luck for leaving and dropping out of sight if he missed it.

On numerous occasions, Sam and the wolf pack tried to pick up on Jacob's whereabouts, but they could never connect with him. Total black out. Even now, when all of the mythical creatures were doing their best to pinpoint a possible location where he might be, there were no hits. It was finally decided that regardless of Jacob's status, Billy's funeral would be the weekend following Charlie's.