Aurora was a delicate, miraculous blend of both the humans and the vampire world. She seemed to be half of each, just as Dr. Cullen had predicted. She had a beating heart, slept and grew at an alarming rate. She seemed to change every second of every minute. But apart from that she resembled a vampiric child. She preferred blood over formula and Dr. Cullen mixed in venom to let her continue growing. Her skin was as hard as mine, though not as cold. And she had the inhuman beauty that came with the change.
She quickly wove her way into all the Cullens hearts. We were in no way hard pressed to find childcare. Quite the opposite actually, it was a rare and precious gift for Edward and I to spend time alone with her.
Esme and Rosalie enveloped her with an affection that was fiercely tender. Emmett became her devoted playmate, while Alice shot photo upon photo, each of a different dress.
We soon learned that Aurora was indeed gifted. She could communicate her needs and wishes through touch. Even my shield was no match for her intrusion. And I was glad about it. I loved to place her hand upon my cheek whenever she slept and watch her dreams. They were full of swirling colors and strange shapes. There were no worries in her dreamland. No fear. Only contentment and happiness. And I needed the escape from the worries that plagued me.
Just as we had promised the Quileute, Carmen and Eleazar said their farewells on the day after Aurora's birth. The dawn still cast long shadows as we had gathered before the house to see them off. The sky was tinged in red and the sun's rays were golden against the sporadic clouds. Aurora was cradled in my arms as Eleazar stowed the last pieces of luggage in the car.
The family encircled the couple. Hugging and kissing them. Exchanging promises of future visits.
When it was my turn to say goodbye a tentative smile played on my lips. "Carmen, Eleazar, I want to thank you for your understanding. For your willingness to listen and give us a chance to explain. And for your support in the last few days." I told them sincerely. "I am certain we will meet again and I shall be glad once that day comes."
Edward nodded. "I hope the day will be sooner rather than later."
"I should be thanking you." Carmen disagreed. "You allowed me to witness the birth of your beautiful daughter. I saw a new life enter into this world, only because of your good will. I will forever be thankful for this experience."
We all watched as Carmen and Eleazar departed. Waving until the car vanished behind the trees.
Alice threw herself into the preparations for New Years as soon as we dispersed again. She cleaned away most of the christmas decoration and instead hung glands of balloons and scattered pots of lucky cloverleaf.
She just sorted the christmas baubles into their cases when she froze. "I can't see. It all went black just now. Our afternoon just vanished."
"The wolves?" Jasper asked her from one of the armchairs and placed his book on the table.
"Possible." She nodded. "They must have decided to come here."
I was immediately alert, picking up my sleeping daughter from the pillow she had occupied. Cradling her against my chest. The wolves were a threat to Aurora and I would not tolerate that. They would sooner die by my hand than touch her.
"They are already on their way." Edward said and walked over to wrap his arms around my waist. "I can hear them coming."
"What is their aim?" Esme asked him.
"I am not quite sure, their thoughts are very jumpy. But I think they came for Aurora." His hand went through his hair. "Jasper, do you think we could take her upstairs? I don't want them near her. But I fear they will be angered if we hide her from them." He turned to his brother.
Jasper shook his head. "I can't say what their reaction would be. But I will try to extinguish even the spark of anger if they take slight."
"Esme, would you take her up?" He asked. "I know it's a lot to ask, but …"
In a flash Esme was by my side, opening her arms to take Aurora.
"Please keep her safe."
"You know I will, Bella. No harm will come to my only granddaughter." She smiled at me. "Don't worry."
I looked over at Rosalie. Pleading with my eyes.
"Wait for me upstairs," she quickly called. "I can't stand the wolf stench so soon again. And Aurora will need her bottle soon. I will just get it."
Dr. Cullen opened the door for them when we heard their human footsteps on the steps. "Welcome Samuel. Do come in, please."
The air was tense as we occupied a side of the living room each. The wolf's smell once again hit me with full force. I listened for the slow heartbeat of my daughter. Its rhythm and Edwards arms around my waist reduced my anxiety a little.
"We are here because of the thing you created." One of the wolves announced, his voice was stoney as he stared me down.
"Jacob, I won't let you harm my family." Edward's voice was steady as he responded. "We agreed that you will not harm our daughter as long as she poses no threat to human life and especially your tribe. She currently poses no threat and we will teach her our way of life once she is old enough to understand. I will not see you harm her. I will fight you before I let that happen. All of us will."
"The tribe is not interested in a fight." Sam declared with a warning glance at Jacob. "But we will judge the threat for ourselves. I can not take your word for it."
"Well, you sure as hell should," Emmett squared his shoulders, "Because that's all you will get."
"Emmett!" Dr. Cullen warned him.
"She is sleeping." I protested. "Can't you just let it go? She poses no threat."
"My niece wouldn't hurt a fly." Emmett chimed in. "No bite whatsoever, I can tell you."
"Just like some bloodsuckers I know." Another Quileute sneered.
"You wanna try?" Emmett took a step forward.
"Emmett! We don't want a fight." Edward reminded him. "Aurora would only wake from the commotion."
Paul growled loudly.
"And we would have to clean up a wolf's body." Rosalie said from upstairs, undeterred by Paul's reaction. "Can you imagine the stench if we spill that blood in our home? It would be horrible. The house would be ruined for years to come."
"The spawn has a name then?" Sam asked.
"Pretty name for an abomination."
Emmett shrugged. "I'd say it's a pretty name for a pretty baby. You wouldn't believe it, being as she is Eddis daughter but she sure is."
I was hard pressed to stop myself from chuckling.
Edward rolled his eyes. "She is Bella's daughter as well. What did you expect?"
"The girl made the most of her genes then, with half of them being absolute crap." Emmett winked at him.
"Boys," Esme chided them from upstairs, "Behave, please. We have guests."
"My apologies." Edward said graciously.
"Sorry, Ma."
"Now, just bring down the spawn." Sam said sternly. "The tribe is not interested in a conflict but we will not leave until we have observed its behavior."
"Oh, come on!" Emmett protested. "We don't want you polluting the air all day."
"Besides," Alice said, "it's New Year's Eve, guys. We've got plans, and none of them involve fighting wolves. So I would really appreciate it if you could just leave us alone."
"Well, we won't leave before seeing the spawn." Sam said decidedly and crossed his arms.
One of the youngest wolves spoke up. "Would it be so bad for us to see her? None of us wants to hurt her. We are just here to reassure us that she will be no threat."
"Not all of you think alike, Seth." Edward told him. "Some have less reservations when it comes to hurting my daughter." His eyes flickered to the wolves named Jacob and Paul. "Amongst you are individuals who desperately wish for any excuse to kill."
"And I will be the first to defend your innocent child if they try to do anything." Seth promised. "But I don't see this issue being solved as long as you hide your daughter away."
Edward nodded and turned to me. Raising his eyebrow, he asked for permission.
I nodded reluctantly and sighed.
"Rose, Esme, would you bring Aurora downstairs, please?"
Just as a precaution I wrapped my shield around the three of them as they slowly came down the stairs. Aurora in Rosalie's arms. She swiftly came to Edward and mine side and handed our daughter to him. He pressed a kiss to her head.
She reached up to show him something and he nodded. "Yes, they are new people who want to meet you."
"This is the spawn?" Sam asked redundantly.
I nodded. "I would appreciate it if you would call her by her name."
"She has a beating heart?"
I nodded again.
"And sleeps?"
"Yes."
"And her diet?"
"Animal blood." I answered curtly. "We have collected it whenever we hunt for ourselves. So far she likes mountain lion the best."
"Because it is superior." Edward said and smiled down at his daughter. "Aurora has good taste even now."
I rolled my eyes at him and giggled. "As you can tell, he has the same preference. As soon as she is able to Edward and I will teach her to hunt them for herself."
Sam nodded slowly. "As long as she keeps from killing any humans we will not kill her." He promised. "But if she-"
"We agree, it would be a breach of the treaty and any peace agreement would be void." Edward agreed.
"But you won't have to worry about her. Aurora is no threat." I said.
"And if the treaty were in ruins, you'd be the only ones who would die anyway." Emmett puffed out his chest. "I feel like you constantly forget that the treaty was created so that we didn't need to kill your ancestors. You should seriously fix your attitudes."
Paul and Jacob growled at his words but Sam nodded. "Well, we should get going."
"Wait a second." Alice said. "When we last spoke we forgot to inform you that there are three nomadic vampires, human blood drinkers, around. Two males and a female, though they may be joined by up to three golden eyed females. You should be careful if you decide to fight them when you cross their paths. The current attitude you have would kill you. Do not fight them one on one. That could work with newly created vampires without any experience but they are anything but inexperienced when it comes to fighting. The hunt and violent conflicts with fatal consequences are their entertainment in this endless life."
"How bad can three bloodsuckers be?" Jacob asked, looking down at Alice.
She shrugged. "Consider yourself warned. I won't shed a single tear if you lose your life to hubris."
