A/N: I apologize ahead of time, this one is shorter than my usual! But there is plenty more to come!
Edward's POV
Once Charlie was out the door, I ripped my hand from Bella's and began to pace the room at vampire speed, muttering under my breath about the absolute ridiculousness of it all.
"I thought life was coming at us from all sides when Bella was human. Now this mutt is coming for my daughter? First Bella, now Renesmee. Will it never end?"
With all the supernatural hearing in one room, I knew they all could hear me, but I was too lost in my rage to care. Offended, Jacob strode over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder to stop me.
"Hold it right there, bloodsucker. Give me a chance to talk." I could hear how he worked to control his own hatred of me, loathing the fact that my dismissal would make his life all the worse.
I knocked his hand away with more force than necessary, stepping back and into a defensive pose.
"Keep your hands off me, Jacob Black. I believe I still owe you a lesson or two on manners."
"Alright then, if that's how this is going to be." Jacob crouched as well.
Suddenly, Bella was between us. She pressed one hand onto my chest, reaching the other toward Jacob. She hesitated just before actually touching him, leaving her hand in the air, a sad expression crossing her face.
"Stop. You can't hurt each other without hurting her." She looked over to Renesmee, who had yet to move from her spot in the front hallway.
Seth stepped up behind Jacob, tense. We both straightened our stances, slowly.
"Whoa," Bella gasped, then chuckled reluctantly. "Deja vu, huh?" She looked between Jacob and I. Of course, she was remembering a time she spoke nearly that same phrase to us, about herself rather than Renesmee. I rolled my eyes, not nearly ready to find any part of this situation laughable.
Jacob was watching Bella closely again, brought up short by the memories her comment resurfaced.
So strange. She's so much like she used to be but also…not. I look at her and I still see my friend, not my enemy. It's still Bella.
"I told you so." I couldn't help but gloat to him. While I had my qualms with Bella becoming a vampire, I never would've allowed it to happen if it could've diminished the amazing person that she was. As I'd told her before, my Bella, just less fragile.
Jacob rolled his eyes. Yeah, yeah. Still such a know it all.
"Told him what?!" Renesmee nearly screeched in frustration.
Bella dropped her shield. Edward, we can do this. Let's all talk it out. Renesmee deserves that much. With her hand still on my chest and her mental voice in my head, I was able to take a calming breath, annoyed at the werewolf smell permeating the room.
"Well it seems we have a lot to talk about." I motioned everyone to sit down around the living room. Jacob made a move toward Renesmee, intending to take her hand and sit with her on the couch. I couldn't have that, not right now. "Please, Jacob Black, my patience is hanging by a thread. Seeing you cuddled up to my daughter will not keep this conversation civil."
Even more overprotective now than you were back then. Jacob reluctantly moved away and settled into the recliner. Renesmee rolled her eyes at me. Bella pulled her in for a hug, leading her so they sat together on the couch. I continued my pacing between them. We all sat in silence for a moment, each hoping the other would start the conversation, none of us knowing where to begin. Bella took a breath, steeling her nerves.
"I think the only way we can survive this conversation is to all promise right now to be fully honest with each other and to hear each other out. No interruptions." She sternly looked at each of us, not moving on until she had our agreement; Renesmee and Jacob agreed eagerly. Bella held my eyes last, I stared back wishing more than anything that this discussion would never happen, that this was all some crazy dream.
Edward, please. For her. Finally, I sighed loudly and nodded. Bella smiled at me, grateful. I'll keep my shield down as much as possible—It's only fair. You'll be able to hear all of us. And I'll be watching to keep you honest. I had to smirk at that. She did know my face better than anyone; she would catch my lies in a second.
"Alright, let's get this over with." I acquiesced.
