My life has always been different from those around me, I didn't grow up like a normal kid, so we always celebrated my birthdays by the age I appeared. Because of my half vampire mind, I have a great memory, so I can still remember everything. On my fourth birthday I was physically around fourteen and didn't want a party this time, I just wanted to spend the day with my family and jake and have dinner together.

Because of that wonderful memory I can also remember the weeks leading up to that day were not entirely pleasant, I was over emotional and moody- as Uncle Emmett liked to say. I overheard dad and grandpa talking about how I was going through puberty and would have to talk about what that meant, which was how we handled every next part of my life so far, either I would sit down with mom and dad or with grandpa, but something told me this was one I didn't really want to have. I wasn't entirely naïve and could guess what they meant, needless to say, I avoided that conversation for days.

Eventually mom and dad trapped me in my room, blocking my escape and I knew I couldn't get out of it anymore. I sighed and slumped onto my bed, the embarrassment already turning my cheeks pink.

"If I really have to do this, can it just be mom." I knew I was whining but I would use it if it meant not doing this with dad.

Please daddy. I thought. Don't make me hear this from you. He sighed but nodded, kissing the top of my head before leaving, closing the door behind him. Momma smiled sympathetically and took a seat beside me, leaning against the headboard.

"I'll try to make this as painless as possible honey."

She stuck to a very textbook version of everything, explaining puberty and how my body would mature into more of a woman's body. She said they weren't sure for certain if I would get a monthly cycle, it was probable that my half vampire body would change enough for that. Grandpa had suggested taking a trip to find Nahual and his sisters, but dad had vetoed it and said we would find out eventually. She also explained what it would mean if I did get it, what I would have to deal with and the purpose of why, to conceive. She cringed at that, saying again that they weren't sure what my body would be able to handle and that I had plenty of time to figure that out later. She tried her best to explain the feelings that accompanied this next stage and that it was important to learn how to control them, so I didn't let my temper take over. When I asked her how it was possible to have a baby, she said that conversation could wait a little longer. I didn't push it, especially since I was already overwhelmed with everything she had told me. Overall, it was a pretty painless talk, I couldn't say that I was exactly feeling happy about this new stage, but it was unavoidable, so I just hoped it stayed away a little while longer.

After she had left I didn't think any more about it, mostly because it didn't seem pleasant at all, but a couple weeks after that I woke up one morning, on my birthday no less, and found my pajama bottoms and sheets stained with blood. I knew what I meant but that didn't stop the slight panic I felt.

"Mama." I called out, knowing she would hear me if she was anywhere in our cottage. A moment later a soft knock came from the other side of my door.

"Come in." I said. She walked over to me, her eyes already knowing. Dad must have heard my thoughts when I woke up and told her. She put her hand out and I took it at once.

"Come on honey, let's get you cleaned up." She walked with me to my bathroom, starting the tub and adding bubbles to the water. She turned her back to me so I could strip and slide into the hot bubbly water. She turned off the taps and kissed my forehead before getting up.

"Im going to put these in the wash with your blanket. Will you be okay for a couple minutes?"

I nodded, feeling extremely grateful I had her for these moments. I washed up in the water and then waited for her return, when she finally came back her arms where full, a towel and clothes in one arm and a couple boxes in the other. She put them down on the sink as she started to explain what they were, pads and tampons. She recommended I use the pads till I was more comfortable. I silently agreed while she handed me the towel and stepped out to let me change. I loved that she didn't baby me and gave me what little privacy I was allowed. I followed her directions and then changed into the clothes she had given me, which turned out to be my most comfortable pair of yoga pants and a sweater. When I felt good enough to leave the bathroom, I found her waiting on my bed, I walked over and sat near her, wrapping my arms around her.

"Thanks mama." She hugged me back, her cold stone arms comforting, and she kissed my head. There was a knock a moment later and my door cracked open, dad's head poking in through the gap.

"How are my girls?" He asked. I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway.

"Were good daddy." He walked over to us and sat down, his arms wrapping around both of us in a big hug. I was content sitting there in my parents embrace, any lingering uncomfortableness from this morning fading.

The rest of the day was normal, we spent it in the big house where I got all the birthday wishes and hugs and beat Uncle Emmett in multiple games. When jake finally got there before dinner he came right over to me, scooping me into a huge bear hug and saying happy birthday. He disappeared with daddy for a couple minutes after that and when they came back I noticed he looked almost sad. I went over and took his hand in mine.

What's wrong Jacob? I thought. He shook his head and gave me his normal smile.

"Nothing ness, how about dinner? Im starved." He said patting his tummy.

I forgot all about his look then, pulling him over to where grandma had made too much food for just us. It wasn't until later that night that I remembered. I was curled up in my bed, thinking over my day and how lucky I was for my family, that I think I understood Jacob's face. My Jacob had imprinted on me the day I was born, he had told me a long time ago that this meant we were connected. He would always belong to me, however I needed him. When I was younger he was the best big brother ever, a caregiver. As I grew up and got older, he became my best friend and would tell me more about the imprint. How Emily and Sam were, but also Quil and Claire. He said it was different for everybody, he never wanted me to think I had to be with him when I was older if I didn't want to be, it just meant he would always be there for me. But I understood that one day I would see him differently. The imprint meant he would be what I needed, so if I felt that way he would too, wouldn't he? I could only imagine how hard that could be to watch me grow up so fast. Mama and dad were always telling me to enjoy my life the way it is. Every stage for me was so fleeting, so I learned to love it while it happened and not rush the next one. That was what I would do. I would enjoy being young a little while longer.