Chapter 22

Quil returned to the village in the middle of the night with Claire in his arms. She wasn't asleep, but she wasn't crying anymore either. She was just upset. Quil went right to her parents' tent and patted on the door letting them know he'd brought her back. Claire's mother grabbed a hold of her daughter and both she and her husband began to scold her for running out so late and in this weather. Having returned Claire, Quil went running into the woods to join Embry on patrol. Having shifted, he overheard everything that happened.

So she's not happy and Claire said she'd said she was coming back but didn't say when, Embry reiterated.

Yeah, that's what I was told. Do you think that might cheer Jacob up?

Nothing less of her stepping back into the village will make him happy right now. I haven't heard from him since yesterday. I think he went to human form so he can be alone.

I suppose with us around, there's only so alone he can be. How's Caevia handling all this? Quil asked.

She's not pleased. She never really liked Peter, so Renesmee going back isn't sitting well with her. And now Renesmee probably won't be here to see our baby born. That has Caevia's mood all the more sour.

At least the baby's doing alright, right?

The baby is fine according to Sokajili. Caevia's certain the baby's alright too. She thinks the baby will be born by summer.

That's exciting! You a father. I can barely wait to see it.

It'll certainly be a site to see,Embry joked. I wish mom was alive to see it. She'd have been tickled pink to have a grandchild.

The way you and Caevia are talking, it sounds like the poor woman would've had more grandchildren than she'd have known what to do with.

Embry laughed. She'd never have been bored. That much is certain.

Has Caevia given a specific number of how many children she wants?

Not out loud. I know she wants a lot, though. I haven't said this to her, but I plan to give her a child to make up for each one that she'd lost or had taken. She deserves that much.

How many kids does that make? Five?

Yes, five. I never said we'd stop at five, but that's the minimum for sure.

Quil chuckled. I guess you two will be busy then. She doesn't age apparently, so you two have time.

Yeah, we do. Actually, did you think it was weird that Renesmee had been eating human food recently?

Well, yeah, but Jacob didn't seem bothered by it. If anything, it's probably a good thing. Animals are a bit harder to find in the winter so she's really better off eating potato cakes.

It just struck me as weird. Caevia and I were talking about it and she'd said that until recently, just the smell of potatoes would put her off. Now they'd seemed to be a bit of a favorite. It's just really strange.

Do you think it means anything?

I don't know. Do you think Jacob will stand by the agreement and not go after Renesmee?

He never agreed he wouldn't go after her. Renesmee just agreed to go with them if they promised not to hurt us.

That's true, Embry answered thoughtfully. Either way, I can't imagine she wouldn't come back. You saw the look on her face when she left with them. She looked like she was about to collapse. She'll definitely come back.

We can only hope. Maybe Jacob will even be back by then.

Again, we can only hope.

In those several days, Jacob did not come back. Quil and Embry couldn't hear him either. Last Embry heard Jacob's thoughts, the man was so far north that any sign of life had become barren. Sara worried desperately, but without Embry or Quil being able to hear him and no way of being sure where he was, there was nothing they could do. William had ordered the two of them that, if Jacob wasn't back by spring, one of them was to go and search for him and was not to come back until Jacob was found.

When Edward had come downstairs from speaking with Renesmee, no one showed any sign that they'd heard the conversation but, save for Peter, they'd heard every word.

"Peter," Edward said.

"Yes, Mr. Cullen?"

"Go into town and buy potatoes. Renesmee's had a fondness for them lately."

"Yes, I noticed. Is she alright?"

"She's fine," Edward said. "Just buy potatoes. I'll pay for them."

"No, no, I'll pay for them. As long as it makes Renesmee feel better. She's been so distant since we brought her back. I hate to think what they'd done to her. She said the Chief's son had even forced her to marry him." Peter shuddered and Edward took a deep breath. Renesmee had not said that. She'd only cried when he'd come to a similar conclusion. But now was no time for such details.

"Then buy the potatoes. Now if you don't mind."

"Sure," Peter said. He put back on his coat and headed towards the door. "Was there anything else? I'm sorry if my home's been ill-equipped. I didn't realize there would be more arriving besides you and Mrs. Cullen."

"Just worry about buying those potatoes." Peter nodded and walked out the door. When they overheard him tying the horse to the cart, Rosalie was the first to speak.

"That mutt got her pregnant?" Rosalie hissed.

"Yes," Edward said. "She wants to go back to."

"You can't be serious!" Jasper said. "After all that, she wants to go back?!"

"I told her we'd focus on the baby for now. I'll go into town tonight and call Carlisle to come back."

"First this mutt kidnaps her, makes a bigamist of her and now he's made her pregnant. How much more can we stand?" Rosalie said.

"I say we do what you suggested and focus on the baby now. Regardless of how it came about, that's our grandchild." Edward rubbed his face in aggravation. "What happened is no fault of that child."

"I agree with Bella," Rosalie said after releasing a heavy sigh. "When should we tell Peter?"

"Later," Edward said briefly. "I'll worry about getting Carlisle here first."

"And Emmett," Rosalie said. It'd been months since she'd seen Emmett and she really missed him.

"Yes, Emmett too," Edward sighed.

"And what about this divorce you keep going on about? When do you plan to do that?" Jasper asked.

"When I'm in town tonight."

"At least speak with Peter about this, Edward," Bella said. "It's only fair."

"I don't care what's fair or not, Renesmee should've never married the man in the first place. If she'd just stayed home and let us buy her a little house or apartment at least so she was close, none of this would've happened!"

"Edward, she's 41! You can't honestly think she'd be alright with that. She wanted independence."

"Yes, and look what it got her! Knocked up by a Squaw!"

"Jasper!" Alice said. "Don't use such foul language."

"Regardless of vulgarity, I'm inclined to agree," Edward said. "Bella, I don't care if she's 100, she's my little girl."

"She's mine too," Bella said pointedly. "We can't blame the situation on her desire to leave home. We can't help what happened, but we can either sit here and yell about it all night or we can move on and handle what we've been dealt."

"She's right," Alice said. "There's no point in arguing what we should have or could have done. And not a single word about this being my fault," Alice barked before the comment could leave Edward's mouth. "You know perfectly well my sight doesn't apply to her. You know perfectly well that if I could see her future, we would've saved her within days of the incident, but I can't see her. If anyone's to blame for that, it's you for making a creature that, albeit one of the best things to ever happen to us all, is a creature that's neither human nor vampire."

"She's both!"

"That's not how it works, Edward. We figured this out a long time ago. Besides, like Bella said, there's no point in crying over spilt milk so long as we got the milk back in the glass. You worry about speaking with Peter and getting Carlisle here to look after Renesmee. We'll worry about what to do about the mutt later."

"Renesmee isn't willing to raise that child without him. Even if we take her back with us, she'll probably run off and go back. There's really nothing we can do about it."

"I can see that damn dog skinned and pinned to my wall, that's something I can do," Edward hissed.

"Yes, Edward, and you can explain to your grandchild why daddy's pinned to the wall," Alice said.

"I'll simply explain his father was a crook. No need to make it difficult."

"Oh, shut up, Edward," Alice said. "Speak to Peter about a divorce like an adult when he gets back. One thing at a time." Edward just scrunched his nose momentarily and made for the door. Grumbling a little.

"Damn pig farmer thinks his friend John's been taking care of the damn pigs this whole time," he said before going outside to see to the pigs on Peter's behalf.

Peter returned about two hours later with loads of potatoes just as Edward had instructed. Jasper and Edward came outside and helped Peter with the four bags of potatoes he'd bought and rested them in the kitchen.

"I admit, I've never cooked potatoes before," Peter said when they were inside and Peter had released his horse from the cart and put her in the stable to keep warm.

"Don't worry about it," Edward said. "She'll want to do it herself anyway. And now that you're back, it's about time we had a discussion."

"What about, Mr. Cullen," Peter asked.

"About termination of your marriage to my daughter."

"You can't think I'd agree to that," Peter said after he'd recovered from being stunned silent. He recalled Edward making this threat when they first met, but he'd thought the sentiment long cooled down by now. "I acknowledge that I was unable to keep her from being abducted, but I should be allowed the opportunity to make things right. I love your daughter very much, Mr. Cullen."

"You barely know her," Edward said.

"That doesn't mean I don't love her."

"She married you because she wanted to get out of the house," Edward said. "She wanted her independence or some nonsense like that and she jumped the gun and married you. As far as I'm concerned, there's no 'independence' in marrying a man on the other side of the country that she barely knows herself."

"If you say so, Mr. Cullen, but would a divorce give her independence either? Even if Renesmee would agree to divorce me, you can hardly assume she'd be happy moving back in with you."

"That's not what's important. If independence is what she wants, I can find her a cozy little house for her to live in so she can be close. She doesn't need to move to the other side of the country and she certainly didn't need to marry you."

"Good God, Mr. Cullen, she's a grown woman, not a five year old!" Peter said. "And besides, she's my wife and I for one will not agree to sign a single divorce paper. And I can promise you, neither will Renesmee." Edward stayed straight faced and took a deep, needless breathe.

"Say what you will, Peter," Edward said. "I, for one, will go into town. I need to contact her grandfather."

"What for? Is he the lawyer you're going to unleash on me?" Peter said with a hint of sarcasm.

"He isn't. But I'll get one tonight if you don't watch your tone with me," Edward snapped back. "Her grandfather's a physician and I want Renesmee looked over for any injuries or," Edward stopped a moment, "unexpected mishaps might have come of her kidnapping."

"There's a physician in town," Peter protested. "He can be here tomorrow morning if you'd ask."

"No," Edward said. "If I wanted a quack, I'd tell Jasper to examine her."

"Oh, blow it out your ass, Edward," Jasper mumbled.

"I'll have her grandfather come and he'll determine her condition. In the meantime, Peter, I suggest you try to think of any plausible reason I should permit you to stay married to my daughter."

Edward went to town and called Carlisle from the Post Office informing him that Renesmee was back. Not wanting anyone to risk overhearing what he was about to tell Carlisle, he advised in French that Renesmee was pregnant. Carlisle continued on in English, but Edward continued in French so no one would eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Does she know for sure she's pregnant?"

"Est certaine," (She's certain) Edward said. "Présentant des symptômes semblables que Bella a fait. Elle ne se souciait pour l'alimentation humaine avant, maintenant est soudainement en amour avec les pommes de terre." (She's exhibiting similar symptoms as Bella did. She never cared for human food before, now she's suddenly in love with potatoes).

"Well, I suppose if there's anything a woman should crave when she's pregnant, it's a vegetable," Carlisle replied. "A cheap vegetable at that."

"Ne ai pas relayé les nouvelles à Peter. Avais l'intention de garder ce calme et peut-être avez-vous lui dire." (I haven't relayed the news to Peter yet. I was planning to keep this quiet and perhaps have you tell him).

"I suppose I can do that if you would prefer. Esme and I can be there in a few days tops."

"No," Edward said after a moment's hesitation. "Venez ici par des moyens normaux. Lorsque vous êtes dans le Wyoming, chercher Emmett. Alice dit que ce est là où il est dès à présent." (Come here through normal means. When you're in Wyoming, look for Emmett. Alice says that's where he is as of now).

"He's only in Wyoming?"

"Montana est un grand Etat et avec toutes les tribus là-bas et autour de la frontière canadienne, il a dû passer par tout cela avec un peigne à dents fines. Il a également interrogé chacun d'entre eux, apparemment," (Montana's a big state and with all the tribes there and around the Canadian border, he had to go through all that with a fine tooth comb. He also questioned every single one of them apparently) Edward mumbled with a grimace.

"At least he was thorough."

After his conversation with Carlisle, Edward asked the owner of the Post Office where there would be a lawyer in town. The Post office owner advised of a legal office on the corner of Capital Way and 4th Avenue near the water. Edward made it to that office around four. He was very appreciative of the constant overcast, otherwise he'd never get anything done. Back at the house, after Edward had left, Peter went upstairs and let himself into the bedroom. He saw Renesmee lying on the bed and could hear her crying. Coming to his own conclusions based on the conversation he'd just had with her father, Peter ran to her side and rested his hands on her arm.

"Renesmee," Peter said, "did Mr. Cullen tell you he was getting divorce papers?" After a last sniffle, Renesmee rubbed her eyes dry and pushed herself up to a sitting position.

"Yes," she finally said. "He's adamant."

"I told him I wouldn't sign anything and that you wouldn't either."

"He didn't take too well to that so I overheard," Renesmee said.

"I stand by my decision. I'm not signing anything." Renesmee said nothing. "You said no, right?"

"I didn't argue with daddy. I assumed you might not be so keen to be married after finding out I married the Chief's son."

"It was something you were forced into," Peter said. "I'll not blame you for what he did to you." There was a stretch of awkward silence before Renesmee took a deep breath.

"He didn't force me," Renesmee said. "I married him of my own accord." Another stretch of silence followed.

"Are you telling me you love that boy?" he asked hesitantly. Renesmee just nodded. "Why?"

"I was scared of him at first," Renesmee said. "But I started to see things in him. He became to pursue me romantically and while I denied him initially, I couldn't keep pretending I didn't have feelings for him. So when he asked me to marry him, I said yes."

"So everything that boy said to me," Peter began, "about the marriage, laying together on New Year's Eve…..that was all true?" Renesmee nodded. Peter stood from the bed and started pacing back and forth trying to think.

"I really am sorry, Peter. I never thought I'd fall in love with Jacob, but I did. I understand that you're upset and I'm sorry to have put you through this, but I can't change what happened."

"I know," Peter finally said after a deep breath. "I still won't sign divorce papers," he said, making Renesmee shoot her head up looking right at him.

"What?"

"I said I won't sign divorce papers. You're right, you can't change what happened any more than I can. All we can do is look towards a better future for ourselves. I know I've been…lacking," he said unable to think of another word, "in many respects, but I'm still your husband and I'll make this better between us. I promise I will."

"Peter," Renesmee began, "please-"

"No, we'll figure this out. I know this will take time to fix, but we have time. And I'll not sign a thing your father puts in front of me."

Hours later when Edward returned and heard from everyone's minds the conversation that had occurred, he wasn't sure whether to call Peter determined, stubborn or hopelessly stupid. Either way, Edward had divorce papers ready for signatures and he would not take no for an answer. He'd forge the man's signature if he had to. Time went on rather awkwardly as Peter, as he promised he would, simply refused to sign any divorce papers even after Renesmee had already applied her signature. It became much worse when Carlisle and Esme finally arrived. Carlisle went upstairs to speak with and examine Renesmee, already fully aware of the pregnancy. After they spoke of her symptoms and liking for potatoes as of late, Carlisle came downstairs and looked right at Edward to tell him and the family (save for Peter) news they already knew.

"She's pregnant," Carlisle said to Edward. They all pretended to be surprised and horrified, but Peter's reaction was genuine.

"She's pregnant!" he yelled, standing from the chair he'd been sitting at.

"Yes, Mr. Wallis, Renesmee's pregnant. By my calculations, it came about around late January or early February, so I'm left to guess she's over six weeks in minimum." Peter sat back down, flabbergasted.

"Feel like signing those papers now, Peter?" Edward said pointedly. Rather than answer Edward, Peter went upstairs in a huff and closed the door behind him when he reached the bedroom.

"You're pregnant?" Peter said in the calmest, albeit still loud, voice he could manage.

"That's what Carlisle said," she replied. "If he's right about how far along I am, the baby should be here around October."

"How can you be so calm about this?"

"Why wouldn't I be calm? I would think a baby would be expected shortly after a couple gets married." Peter started pacing back and forth again, rubbing his face while Renesmee watched him.

"Perhaps," Peter began, though he wasn't certain how to continue. Eventually, he got his thoughts together and came to his best solution. "We don't have to tell anyone. No one really comes to see me anyway. Once the baby's born, we can take it to a church down town and they'll find him a proper home. We'll not mention the child is half Indian, otherwise no one will take him in."

"When my baby is born, he or she stays with me. I'm not having my child taken to an orphanage like discarded trash."

"Renesmee, I can't do that. I can't raise a child fathered by another man, especially not that boy. You can't ask me to do that."

"I never did ask you to do that, nor would I. The only man I want raising this child with me is his or her father." There was a deafening silence in the room as Peter just stared at her. What she'd said cut him deeper than he could really express.

"You really intend not to see this marriage work?"

"You're a good man, Peter. You really are. You've been very patient and you worked hard to get me back. You'll make a woman that really deserves your kindness a wonderful husband. But you're not the man I love. Jacob is, and nothing will change that. Not you, not daddy, nothing in the world. Daddy has his own plans, but they're not mine. The only thing he and I agree on at this point in time is our divorce."

"Renesmee," Peter began to get teary eyed and went to his knees before the bed. "Please don't do this to me. I know I've not been everything I should have been, but I can do better. If it'll make you happy, I'll accept this child as mine, if only you'll stay. Please, Renesmee, just stay with me."

"If I stayed, Peter, I would be lying to you and that's crueler than leaving. And it's too cruel to Jacob. If I raised this baby with you and Jacob found out, I shudder to think how he'd react. I realize that you care for me and I care for you. But I can't sit here before you and lie about loving you. I love Jacob. You see a boy, I see a strong, bullheaded, strong willed, tough as nails man that loved me from the beginning. I see a man that learned English just so he could speak with me. I see a man that went out of his way to be educated because he knew it would please me. I see the father of my child and I see the man I want to spend my life with. Forgive me, Peter, but I just don't see that in you."

"And what about what I see in you? When you came to my little farm, you brightened my world. I was so lonely and you offered an intimate companionship I could never have with anyone else. I went across the state for you. Does that not prove that I love you?"

"I'm sorry," Renesmee said, getting upset herself. "I can't return your affections and I won't torture you by pretending I do. When I have this child, whether daddy likes it or not, I'm going back. I'll not argue that point with you, daddy or anyone. I'll go back to Jacob and I'll raise our child and the children we have in the future with him, or I'll die trying."

"You're being overly dramatic," Edward said, suddenly letting himself into the room and startling Peter. Peter came back to his feet after Edward entered.

"Mr. Cullen, I'm trying to have a serious conversation with Renesmee."

"I'm aware," Edward said. "Now I need to have a serious conversation with her."

"This isn't up for negotiation, daddy. I'm going back to Jacob with or without your blessing. I don't need your permission to return to my husband."

"I said we'd discuss this more once the baby is born."

"There's nothing to discuss," Renesmee said harshly.

"First of all, Renesmee, you watch your tone. I don't care how old you are. I'm your father and you'll not take that tone with me." Renesmee stayed quiet.

"Second of all, I'll not have any grandchild of mine nor my daughter living in a camp ground. What can you possibly expect your children's future to be like in that shamble? They'll not have an opportunity in the world."

"Wait, when did you tell her this would be spoken about after the baby was born? We just found out."

"Daddy already knew," Renesmee said. "I've known about this for a while." Peter turned sharply to look at Renesmee.

"And you didn't tell me?!" Renesmee was silent. That silence pursued until Edward needlessly cleared his throat.

"Did you need a pen, Peter?"

"No," Peter finally said. Renesmee looked at him, stunned. "I said I won't sign anything, and I mean it! Regardless of how you think of me, Mr. Cullen, your daughter married me and that means I am the authority figure and I'm the one who will decide what happens from here."

"Peter-"

"Not another word," Peter interrupted Renesmee. "I'll not be pushed around anymore. I'm tired of being pushed around. Renesmee is my wife and it's going to stay that way! Do you hear me?!" Peter stormed out of the room and out of the house to occupy himself with anything he could possibly think needed to be done on the farm so he could cool off. After he left, Renesmee was a little stunned.

"He's never snapped like that before," Renesmee mumbled.

"I'm sure he has before with regards to you. I admit, I'm impressed he stood up to me. Not that it charges my opinion on the matter. I'll just have to forge his signature."

"I'm still going back," Renesmee said.

"We'll discuss this later Renesmee."

"No, we'll discuss it now!" Renesmee yelled, standing from the bed. Hearing the commotion, everyone came upstairs to join. Bella stepped forward prepared to reason with Renesmee.

"Renesmee, please reconsider. I know you think your father's being a beast, but he has your best interest at heart, as we all do."

"You have your best interest at heart," Renesmee snapped back. "You're not thinking about your grandchild at all. How will it affect my baby to be raised without Jacob? Jacob needs to be there with me and I'll have it no other way."

"He didn't even know you were pregnant. He'll not miss a child he doesn't know about," Edward said. Renesmee gawked at Edward for a moment.

"You're a monster," Renesmee said before running into the bathroom of the room and locking the door behind her.

"Renesmee!" Bella yelled running after her, but Renesmee shut the door tight and Bella could only open the door if she broke it. Bella looked at Edward.

"She doesn't need to be raising a child with another child," Edward said.

"He's not a child!" Renesmee yelled from the bathroom. "He may be young, but he's not a child!"

"Edward," Bella said. "Please, we can drop the subject for now. It's too soon after we've taken her from that reservation. She needs time to gather her thoughts and think clearly."

"I am thinking clearly!" Renesmee yelled again. There was yet another moment of silence before Carlisle prepared to break it, but Edward interrupted him.

"I don't need to meet the mutinous little mutt that kidnapped my daughter. I don't give a shit if he's a 'good man' or that he loves Renesmee, I don't give a shit if he's the damn King of England! This discussion is over. I'll forge Peter's signature and turn in the paperwork tomorrow making the divorce final. The moment that divorce is final, we're going back to Chicago, moving our things to the Hamptons as we'd planned and that's final! Not up for discussion! Is that clear Renesmee?!"

"I'm not going anywhere!" Renesmee yelled back. Bella came to Edward and grabbed a hold of his face.

"Edward, calm yourself!" As Bella ordered, Edward took some deep and needless breaths until he was finally calm. "If you keep this up, Renesmee will only run off again. You can't put her behind an iron curtain, Edward. If she wants to be with Jacob, we owe it to her to meet him at least."

"No," Edward said before beginning to walk out of the bedroom. "This discussion is over."

"Edward," Bella called after. "At least allow Renesmee to stay here for the time being."

"I'll turn in the divorce papers before we leave, whenever that may be." Bella breathed, relieved she'd managed to convince Edward not to force Renesmee back to Chicago. "We have a lot to do before that baby gets here," Edward said, changing the topic suddenly. "We'd better start getting a few things in order. I'll obtain a birth certificate. Regardless of what happens, I'd at least like my grandchild to exist in the eyes of the law."

"Does that mean you'll not argue with her about going back?" Rosalie asked, unnerved.

"I never said that," Edward said.