Chapter 2: 7-years-old

"Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength." - Betty Friedan

Renesmee Cullen is 7-years-old when she stops aging.

The Cullens really should have moved away some time in the past few years but there is so much keeping them tied to Forks. Edward and Bella feel they cannot separate Jacob from Renesmee and Jacob can't leave his pack and family behind. Bella is also hesitant to leave Charlie. An exasperated Edward continually tries to explain to her that leaving Charlie will be inevitable one day. But, as always, he acquiesces to Bella's wishes and they remain in Forks.

Carlisle resigned from the hospital with the excuse that he was opening a private practice. He and Esme have kept low profiles ever since. Rosalie and Emmett spent a couple of years traveling around Europe while Alice and Jasper briefly stayed with the Denali coven before visiting with some of Jasper's nomadic friends. Renesmee is incredibly relieved when everyone is back home and the house is full again.

One day, Bella receives a phone call from her mother. If Charlie is a source of tension between Edward and Bella, it is nothing compared to the situation with Renee.

Renesmee isn't privy to most of the situation, all she knows is that Bella has only communicated with her mother through brief phone calls for years. Renee is still ignorant of vampires and the paranormal and has no idea of Renesmee's existence. It makes things difficult with Charlie, since he dislikes lying to Renee on Bella's behalf.

While Renesmee might not know the details, one thing she has come to understand is that Bella doesn't want to move away or leave her parents because she never wants things to change. Renesmee has realized that her family's stationary lifestyle is less about staying inconspicuous and simply their way of life. There is little attachment to things outside of their little insular bubble.

In order to maintain their facade, Bella and Renesmee have rarely left the Cullen's property. Anyone who knew Bella as a human would immediately notice the drastic transformation she has had, a situation that has gotten trickier once her school friends graduated college and began moving back to the Forks area.

Renesmee's situation is another thing entirely. It would be impossible to reveal who her true parents are or explain her accelerated growth. The easiest option was to keep Renesmee away from those who wouldn't understand her.

(The Cullens were also apprehensive that a young child like Renesmee might slip and reveal their secrets, especially if she were to use her power on someone. No one brings this up to Renesmee.)

For Renesmee, her life has been long stretches of inactivity. It is why she appreciated her trip to South America so much. It was an opportunity to have an adventure of her own. Once she finishes aging she will be able to venture out into the world more frequently.

Renesmee eagerly anticipates her seventh birthday. In the months leading up to it, she has one final growth spurt, nature adding its final touches to her before locking everything in place. Renesmee is taller than her mother now and she appears as if she is the same age as her parents.

But the biggest change between Renesmee and her parents has not been physical. Once she stops aging, her parents believe she can handle herself. Almost abruptly, her mother and father went from treating her like their child to treating her like an adult or, even more peculiar, like another peer in their coven.

Her mother no longer reads to her before she goes to sleep. Her father doesn't sit her on his lap while he tells her stories about his past. Even Carlisle begins to treat her differently, as if he expects more mature behavior from her.

The rest of the family remains consistent in their behavior. She is their niece and friend and age does little to change that. Rosalie pouts playfully about Renesmee growing too big. Alice claims to feel bittersweet about it all.

"On one hand, I don't have an excuse to buy you new clothes that fit you every day, but now I know your measurements and everything I get you will fit forever!"

Jacob's visits have always been the highlight of Renesmee's long days stuck in her home. She always has the best time with him-especially when they roam around outside. He appreciates things in a way the rest of her family doesn't, like the sunshine. When he stops by, it's a window into the world beyond her home.
One day, when Jacob stops by the house, Renesmee notices her father talking very seriously to Jacob. The two quit speaking abruptly when they notice her enter the room, though she could tell Edward was still listening to Jacob's thoughts.

After lunch, Renesmee invites Jacob out for a walk. As they leave the main house and head towards the forest, Renesmee casually asks, "What were you talking with my dad about?"

"What's that?" Jacob asks, avoiding eye contact with her. "Man, I'm starving. Do you guys have anything edible in the house?"

Renesmee knows when Jacob is being disingenuous and doesn't let go of the topic. "When you talked to my dad earlier. What did you guys talk about?"

Jacob fidgets. "Uh, when was that?"

Renesmee lightly touches Jacob's face and shows him the memory.

"Oh, right, that. He was just, you know, wondering about you."

"About me?"

Jacob scratches the back of his neck uncomfortably. "Yeah, about your, uh, your love life."

Renesmee feels heat rush to her face. "Are you serious?"

"It was fine, really. Don't worry about it."

"I can't believe him!" Renesmee huffs. "What was he expecting to happen? What, I grow up and we get engaged, just like that?"

"No, of course he doesn't think that. He just knows you're old now-not old! I mean, not that you're old or whatever, just that you're older."

"Jacob," Renesmee stops his rambling with a laugh, "It's fine, I get it." "Sorry," Jacob sighs, "Sorry, I'm just a mess talking today."

"Oh, no. Oh, Jacob, I'm so sorry. Was the talk weird?"

"I mean, it doesn't take much effort to make this weird, but nah, he was fine, really." Jacob tells her. "It was one of the few times I was glad he could read my mind, since it didn't drag things out. Some people really dig for details."

Renesmee stops walking. Renesmee knows everyone else always assumed they would have their relationship turn romantic around this time, but the idea of others speculating about it makes her feel horrible, let alone the thought of people pestering Jacob.

"Oh Jake, have people been asking you about this?"

Jacob gestures frantically. "No, not really. Ugh, I mean, some of the guys were ragging on me that we need to 'DTR', but other than that, no."

"Well, I hope you teased them right back for using the phrase 'DTR'."

Jacob laughs and it makes Renesmee smile. It's something she has always adored about Jacob, he never lets things get him down. Renesmee likes to make him smile, it makes her feel that imprinting on her hasn't made his life miserable.

Jacob continues, "Your dad pretends he isn't, but he's a hopeless romantic. I don't need to be a mind reader to see that."

Renesmee rolls her eyes, "Yeah, well, he should still mind his own business. It's between us and no one else."

Renesmee knows they needed to have this conversation eventually. She and Jacob have rarely discussed the idea of being in a relationship and, to be honest, she has been avoiding it for a while now.

Now it seems there is no more avoiding it.

Whenever she had thought about it before, it seemed something that older her would innately know exactly how to handle. But the older her doesn't feel any more put together than she did when she was little. She does not feel ready to make any major life decisions. There is still so much she has yet to do in her life.

Jacob exhales and rests a hand on Renesmee's shoulder. "Nessie, please, we don't need to do this. I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"I'm not..." Renesmee fumbles, "I'm just not ready."

"I know. It's okay, Nessie, really."

"It is?"

"Yeah, of course. I mean, you're grown up now but you're still only seven, I never assumed that you'd automatically be ready once you stopped growing up. I mean half the guys still act like they're seven and they're all pushing thirty."

"Right," Renesmee says with a giggle. "Right. I'm so glad you understand."

"Of course I do. I'll always understand," Jacob says soothingly, "I'll support any decision you make, Nessie."

Jacob wraps her up in a hug and Renesmee thinks to herself there is no better comfort than Jacob's warmth. Of course, Jacob will always be with her. What's the rush when Jacob will always be there for her?

Birthday celebrations have always been odd for the Cullens, as it celebrates a long ago date that has less and less meaning for them. They only know the date for Alice's birthday because Alice had a vision of them celebrating on that day. So the family goes all out for Bella and Renesmee's birthdays.

Bella's birthday is on September 13th, only two days after Renesmee's birthday on the 11th. Bella, for her part, likes to think of the 11th as her "rebirth day" for when she became a vampire. The family traditionally celebrates their birthdays together on the 12th.

Since this year is such an important birthday, the family decides to invite those closest to them. Grandpa Charlie attends with Sue Clearwater, as does Jacob along with the wolves in his pack, including Leah, Seth, Quil and Embry. Even the Denali coven arrives with plans to visit for a week.

The party goes smoothly. Carlisle chats mostly with Eleazar and Carmen, tucked into a corner near the fireplace. Esme in full hostess mode, making the assortment of guests feel comfortable. Leah has little desire to be there and sticks close to her mother's side.

The rest of the wolves, who usually keep to themselves at vampire-filled events, find themselves enraptured by Garrett, whose natural storytelling abilities make him an entertaining presence. He gestures dramatically as he tells amazing tales that are only slightly embellished, according to Edward.

"I'll be surprised if he didn't defeat the entire Volturi guard by himself by the time the story''s done," Edward mutters to Jasper, who chuckles.

Kate simply rolls her eyes fondly at her mate, she and Tanya standing off to the side to talk with Rosalie and Emmett.

Renesmee finds her Grandpa Charlie in the kitchen, nursing a beer. He tips his bottle towards her in greeting.

"How's the birthday girl doin'?" Charlie asks her.

"Good, good. Thanks again for the necklace, it's beautiful," Renesmee says, gesturing to his birthday gift on her neck.

"I'm, uh, glad you like it," Charlie says. "It was Sue's idea. I mean, it was tough to shop for you before, but now I have no clue what to get you."

"You don't have to get me anything."

"That kinda defeats the point of a birthday then, wouldn't you say?"

"Having a party is enough." Renesmee smiles at Charlie as she picks up a large cupcake with purple frosting and pulls the wrapping off the bottom.

"You're so much like your mom that way," Charlie says with a shake of his head. "She never liked anyone throwing a big fuss over her. She used to hate her birthdays too."

"Well, I don't hate mine!" Renesmee proclaims. "Well, I'd rather it was on a different date but other than that."

Charlie grimaces. "Oh, yeah, that's not great. But your dad said this was a big birthday for you."

"Yes. I've reached maturity. I won't grow anymore after this. So..." Renesmee gestures to herself, "This is me from now on."

Charlie shakes his head again. "Man, it seems not that long ago you were just a baby." "Well, it wasn't that long ago."

"Yeah, but it would feel that way even if it was." Charlie mumbles, "I swear your mom was only seven herself last year."

"Well, I'm going to be seven every year depending on how you look at it," Renesmee says lightly. "No more aging or growing."

"Hmm," Charlie responds, sipping his beer. "Yeah, well, you may have stopped aging, but I hope you'll keep growing."

Renesmee blinks in surprise at her grandfather's words. She opens her mouth to say more but Alice and Esme join them in the kitchen. The two begin asking Charlie how he's liking the food and their conversation is forgotten.