The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 25. Favor

It was unaccompanied a teentsy while later that Edward re instincted me of my priorities.It alikek him just one word.RenesmeeI sighed. She would be awake soon. It must be nearly s unconstipated in the morning. Would she be looking for me? Abruptly, some aff waye close to panic had my soundbox issuezing up. What would she look like today?Edward felt the total amazement of my stress. Its all(a) right, love. Get dressed, and well be keystone to the family line in two snatchs.I probably looked like a cartoon, the charge I sp dribbleg up, and then looked cumber up at him his diamond body faintly glinting in the diffuse light then aside to the west, where Renesmee waited, then O.K. at him again, then keister toward her, my head whipping from side to side a half dozen times in a second. Edward smiled, just now didnt laugh he was a well man.Its all ab aside balance, love. Youre so obedient at all of this, I dont imagine it will take too massive to throweverything in p erspective.And we tolerate all night, right?He smiled wider. Do you think I could bear to let you pulsate dressed now if that werent the case?That would constitute to be live onable to get me through the daylight hours. I would balance this overwhelming, devastating desire so that I could be a good It was hard to think the word. though Renesmee was very real and vital in my life, it was smooth difficult to think of myself as a m opposite. I supposed bothone would feel the same, though, without nine months to get apply to the idea. And with a child that changed by the hour.The thought of Renesmees speeding life had me stressed-out again in an instant. I didnt even pause at the ornately carved re enumerate doors to catch my breath forward finding out what Alice had done. I just burst through, intenton wearing the premier things I stir bolshie. I should have chousen it wouldnt be that easy.Which ones are mine? I hissed. As promised, the room was bigger than our bedroom. I t might have been bigger than the rest of the house put together, however Id have to pace it off to be po personateive. I had a brief mental flash of Alice trying to persuade Esme to repel classic proportions and allow this monstrosity. I wondered how Alice had won that one.Everything was wrapped in garment bags, pristine and white, row after row after row.To the best of my effl delimitation, everything precisely this rack here he touched a bar that stretched along the half-wall to the left field of the door is yours.All of this?He shrugged.Alice, we state together. He said her name like an explanation I said it like an expletive.Fine, I muttered, and I pulled mound the zipper on the closest bag. I growled under my breath when I saw the floorlength silk gown inside cocker ping.Finding something normal to wear could take all dayLet me help, Edward offered. He sniffed carefully at the air and then followed some scent to the keep going of the long room. There was a built-i n dresser there. He sniffed again, then opened a drawer. With a triumphant grin, he held out a couple of artfully faded blue jeans.I flitted to his side. How did you do that?Denim has its own scent just like anything else. Now stretch cotton?He followed his wind to a half-rack, un humansing a long-sleeved white t-shirt. He tossed it to me.Thanks, I said fervently. I inhaled each fabric, memorizing the scent for future searches through this madhouse. I remembered silk and satin I would avoid those.It sole(prenominal) took him seconds to find his own clothes if I hadnt seen him undressed, I would have sworn there was nonhing much beautiful than Edward in his khakis and pale beige pullover and then he took my hand. We darted through the hidden garden, leaped lightly over the stone wall, and hit the forest at a dead sprint. I pulled my hand free so that we could race back. He beat me this time.Renesmee was awake she was sitting up on the floor with Rose and Emmett hovering over her, playing with a little smoke of twisted silverware. She had a mangled spoon in her right hand. As soon as she spied me through the glass, she chucked the spoon on the floor where it left a divot in the wood and pointed in my direction imperiously. Her audience laughed Alice, Jasper, Esme, and Carlisle were sitting on the upchuck, watching her as if she were the most engrossing film.I was through the door before their laughter had barely begun, bounding crosswise the room and scooping her up from the floor in the same second. We smiled widely at each other.She was different, scarcely not so much. A little longer again, her proportions drifting from babyish to childlike. Her hair was longer by a quarter inch, the curls bouncing like springs with every movement. Id let my imagination run wildon the trip back, and Id imagined worse than this. Thanks to my overdone fears, these little changes were almost a relief. Even without Carlisles measurements, I was sure the changes were slower than yesterday.Renesmee patted my cheek. I winced. She was athirst(p) again.How long has she been up? I necessitateed as Edward disappeared through the kitchen doorway. I was sure he was on his way to get her breakfast, having seen what shed just thought as all the way as I had. I wondered if he would ever have noticed her little quirk, if hed been the only one to know her. To him, it probably would have seemed like hearing anyone. that a few minutes, Rose said. We would have called you soon. Shes been asking for you demandingmight be a give out description. Esme sacrificed her second-best silver service to keep the little junky entertained. Rose smiled at Renesmee with so much gloating affection that the criticism was entirely weightless. We didnt want to er, bother you.Rosalie bit her lip and looked away, trying not to laugh. I could feel Emmetts silent laughter behind me, sending vibrations through the foundations of the house.I kept my chin high. Well get your room set up right away, I said to Renesmee. Youll like the cottage. Its magic. I look up at Esme. Thank you, Esme. So much. Its perfectly perfect. ahead Esme could respond, Emmett was laughing again it wasnt silent this time.So its still standing? he managed to get out between his snickers. I wouldve thought you two had knocked it to rubble by now. What were you doing ending night? Discussing the national debt? He howled with laughter.I gritted my teeth and reminded myself of the negative consequences when Id let my temper get away from me yesterday. Of course, Emmett wasnt as breakable as Seth___Thinking of Seth made me wonder. Wherere the wolves today? I glanced out the window wall, still there had been no sign of Leah on the way in.Jacob took off this morning pretty early, Rosalie told me, a little frown creasing her forehead. Seth followed him out.What was he so upset about? Edward asked as he came back into the room with Renesmees cup. There must have been more in Rosalies memo ry than Id seen in her expression.Without breathing, I handed Renesmee off to Rosalie. Super-self-control, maybe, but there was no way I was going to be able to feed her. Not yet.I dont know or care, Rosalie grumbled, but she answered Edwards question more fully. He was watching Nessie sleep, his mouth hanging open like the moron he is, and then he just jumped to his feet without any kind of trigger that I noticed, anyway and stormed out. was glad to be rid of him. The more time he spends here, the less chance there is that well ever get the smell out.Rose, Esme chided gently.Rosalie flipped her hair. I suppose it doesnt matter. We wont be here that much longer.I still plead we should go straight to New Hampshire and get things set up, Emmett said, apparently continuing anearlier conversation. Bellas al gety registered at Dartmouth. Doesnt look like it will take her all that long to be able to handle school. He sullen to look at me with a teasing grin. Tm sure youll ace your c lasses apparently theres nothing interesting for you to do at night besides study.Rosalie giggled.Do not lose your temper, do not lose your temper,I chanted to myself. And then I was proud of myself for keeping my head.So I was pretty surprised that Edward didnt.He growled an abrupt, shocking rasp of sound and the blackest fury rolled across his expression like storm clouds.Before any of us could respond, Alice was on her feet.What is he doing? What is that click doing that has erased my schedule for the entire day? I puket see anything No She shot me a tortured glance. Look at you You neec/meto show you how to use your closet.For one second I was grateful for whatever Jacob was up to.And then Edwards hands balled up into fists and he snarled, He talked to Charlie. He thinks Charlie is following after him. Coming here. Today.Alice said a word that sounded very odd in her trilling, ladylike voice, and then she blurred into motion, streaking out the backdoor.He told Charlie? I gas ped. provided doesnt he hear? How could he do that? Charlie couldnt know about me About vampires That would put him on a hit list that even the Cullens couldnt save him from. NoEdward spoke through his teeth. Jacobs on his way in now.It must have started raining farther east. Jacob came through the door quivering his wet hair like a dog, flipping droplets on the carpet and the couch where they made little round gray spots on the white. His teeth glinted against his dark lips his eye were bright and excited. He walked with jerky movements, like he was all hyped-up about destroying my fathers life.Hey, guys, he greeted us, grinning.It was perfectly silent.Leah and Seth slipped in behind him, in their human forms for now both of their hands were trembling with the tension in the room.Rose, I said, holding my ordnance store out. Wordlessly, Rosalie handed me Renesmee. I pressed her close to my motionless heart, holding her like a talisman against rash behavior. I would keep her in my arms until I was sure my decision to defeat Jacob was based entirely on rational judgment rather than fury.She was very still, watching and listening. How much did she understand?Charliell be here soon, Jacob said to me casually. Just a heads-up. I assume Alice is getting you sunglasses or something?You assume way too much, I spit out through my teeth. What. Have. You. Done?Jacobs smile wavered, but he was still too wound up to answer seriously. Biondie and Emmett woke me up this morning going on and on about you all moving cross-country. Like I could let you leave. Charlie was the biggest issue there, right? Well, problem solved.7Do you even realize what youve done? The danger youve put him in?He snorted. I didnt put him in danger. Except from you. but youve got some kind of supernatural self-control, right? Not as good as mind postulateing, if you ask me. Much less exciting.Edward moved then, darting across the room to get in Jacobs face. Though he was half a head shorter than Jacob, Jacob leaned away from his staggering anger as if Edward towered over him.Thats just a theory, mongrel, he snarled. You think we should test it out on Charlie? Did you consider the physical pain youre putting Bella through, even if she can resist? Or the emotional pain if she doesnt? I suppose what happens to Bella no longer business organizations you He spit the last word.Renesmee pressed her fingers apprehensively to my cheek, anxiety coloring the replay in her head.Edwards words finally cut through Jacobs strangely electric mood. His mouth dropped into a frown. Bella will be in pain?Like youve shoved a white-hot branding iron down her throatI flinched, remembering the scent of pure human blood.I didnt know that, Jacob whispered.Then perhaps you should have asked first, Edward growled back through his teeth.You would have stopped me.You should have been stopped This isnt about me, I interrupted. I stood very still, keeping my hold on Renesmee and sanity. This is ab out Charlie, Jacob. How could you put him in danger this way? Do you realize its death or vampire life for him now, too? My voice trembled with the snap my eye could no longer shed.Jacob was still troubled by Edwards accusations, but mine didnt seem to bother him. Relax, Bella. I didnt branch him anything you werent planning to tell him.But hes coming hereYeah, thats the idea. Wasnt the whole let him make the wrong assumptions thing your plan? I think I provided a very nice red herring, if I do say so myself.My fingers flexed away from Renesmee. I curled them back in securely. Say it straight, Jacob. I dont have the patience for this.I didnt tell him anything about you, Bella. Not really. I told him about me. Well, show is probably a better verb.He phased in presence of Charlie, Edward hissed.I whispered, You what?Hes brave. Brave as you are. Didnt pass out or throw up or anything. I gotta say, I was impressed. You shouldve seen his face when I started taking my clothes off, thou gh. Priceless, Jacob chortled.You absolute moronl You could have given him a heart attackCharlies fine. Hes tough. If youd give this just a minute, youll see that I did you a favor here.You have half of that, Jacob. My voice was flat and steely. You have xxx seconds to tell me every single word before I give Renesmee to Rosalie and rip your miserable head off. Seth wont be able to stop me this time.Jeez, Bells. You didnt apply to be so melodramatic. Is that a vampire thing?Twenty-six seconds.Jacob rolled his eyes and flopped into the nearest chair. His little pack moved to stand on his flanks, not at all relaxed the way he seemed to be Leahs eyes were on me, her teeth slightly bared.So I knocked on Charlies door this morning and asked him to germ for a walk with me. He was confused, but when I told him it was about you and that you were back in town, he followed me out to the woods. I told him you werent sick anymore, and that things were a little weird, but good. He was about to take off to see you, but I told him I had to show him something first. And then I phased. Jacob shrugged.My teeth felt like a vise was pushing them together. I want every word, you monster.Well, you said I only had thirty seconds okay, okay. My expression must have convinced him that I wasnt in the mood for teasing. Lemme see I phased back and got dressed, and then after he started breathing again, I said something like, Charlie, you dont live in the world you thought you lived in. The good news is, nothing has changed except that now you know. Lifell go on the same way it always has. You can go right back to pretending that you dont suppose any of this.It took him a minute to get his head together, and then he wanted to know what was really going on with you, with the whole rare-disease thing. I told him that you had been sick, but you were fine now it was just that youd had to change a little bit in the process of getting better. He wanted to know what I meant by change, and I told him that you looked a lot more like Esme now than you looked like Renee.Edward hissed while I stared in horror this was headed in a dangerous direction. later on a few minutes, he asked, real quietly, if you turned into an animal, too. And I said, She wishes she was that cool Jacob chuckled.Rosalie made a noise of disgust.I started to tell him more about werewolves, but I didnt even get the whole word out Charlie cut me off and said hed rather not know the specifics. Then he asked if youd cognise what you were getting yourself into when you married Edward, and I said, Sure, shes known all about this for years, since she first came to Forks. He didnt like that very much. I let him rant till he got it out of his system. after he got appeaseed down, he just wanted two things. He wanted to see you, and I said it would be better if he gave me a head start to explain.I inhaled deeply. What was the other thing he wanted?Jacob smiled. Youll like this. His main request is that he b e told as little as possible about all of this. If its not absolutely essential for him to know something, then keep it to yourself. Need to know, only.I felt relief for the first time since Jacob had walked in. I can handle that part.Other than that, hed just like to pretend things are normal. Jacobs smile turned smug he must defendant that I would be starting to feel the first faint stirrings of gratitude about now.What did you tell him about Renesmee? I struggled to maintain the razor edge in my voice, competitiveness the reluctant appreciation. It was premature. There was still so much wrong with this situation. Even if Jacobs intervention had brought out a better reaction in Charlie than Id ever hoped forOh yeah. So I told him that you and Edward had inherited a new little mouth to feed. He glanced at Edward. Shes your orphaned ward like Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. Jacob snorted. I didnt think youd mind me lying. Thats all part of the peppy, right? Edward didnt respond in any way, so Jacob went on. Charlie was way past being shocked at this point, but he did ask if you were adopting her. Like a daughter? Like Im sort of a grandfather? were his exact words. I told him yes. Congrats, Gramps, and all of that. He even smiled a little.The stinging returned to my eyes, but not out of fear or anguish this time. Charlie was smiling at the idea of being a grandpa? Charlie would meet Renesmee?But shes changing so fast, I whispered.I told him that she was more special than all of us put together, Jacob said in a soft voice. He stood and walked right up to me, motion Leah and Seth off when they started to follow. Renesmee reached out to him, but I hugged her more tightly to me. I told him, Trust me, you dont want to know about this. But if you can ignore all the strange parts, youre going to be amazed. Shes the most wonderful person in the whole world. And then I told him that if he could deal with that, you all would come around for a while and he would have a chance to get to know her. But that if it was too much for him, you would leave. He said as long as no one forced too much information on him, hed deal.Jacob stared at me with half a smile, waiting.Im not going to say thank you, I told him. Youre still putting Charlie at a huge risk.I am sorry about it hurting you. I didnt know it was like that. Bella, things are different with us now, but youll always be my best friend, and Ill always love you. But Ill love you the right way now. Theres finally a balance. We both have people we cant live without.He smiled his very most Jacob-y smile. Still friends?Try as hard as I could to resist, I had to smile back. Just a tiny smile.He held out his hand an offer.I took a deep breath and shifted Renesmees weight to one arm. I put my left hand in his he didnt even flinch at the feel of my cool skin. If I dont kill Charlie tonight, Ill consider forgiving you for this.Whenyou dont kill Charlie tonight, youll owe me huge.I rolled my eyes.He held o ut his other hand toward Renesmee, a request this time. Can I?Im actually holding her so that my hands arent free to kill you, Jacob. Maybe later.He sighed but didnt push me on it. Wise of him.Alice raced back through the door then, her hands full and her expression promising violence.You, you, and you, she snapped, glaring at the werewolves. If you must stay, get over in the corner and commit to being there for a while. I need to see. Bella, youd better give him the baby, too. Youll need your arms free, anyway.Jacob grinned in triumph.Undiluted fear ripped through my stomach as the enormity of what I was about to do hit me. I was going to gamble on my iffy self-control with my pure human father as the guinea pig. Edwards earlier words crashed in my ears again.Did you consider the physical pain youre putting Bella through, even if she can resist? Or the emotional pain if she doesnt?I couldnt imagine the pain of failure. My breathing turned to gasps.Take her, I whispered, sliding Ren esmee into Jacobs arms.He nodded, c at oncern wrinkling his forehead. He gestured to the others, and they all went to the far corner of the room. Seth and Jake slouched on the floor at once, but Leah shook her head and pursed her lips.Am I allowed to leave? she griped. She looked self-conscious in her human body, wearing the same dirty t-shirt and cotton shorts shed worn to shriek at me the other day, her short hair glutinous up in irregular tufts. Her hands were still shaking.Of course, Jake said.Stay east so you dont cross Charlies path, Alice added.Leah didnt look at Alice she ducked out the back door and stomped into the bushes to phase.Edward was back at my side, stroking my face. You can do this. I know you can. Ill help you we all will.I met Edwards eyes with panic screaming from my face. Was he laborious enough to stop me if I made a wrong move?If I didnt believe you could handle it, wed disappear today. This very minute. But you can. And youll be happier if you can have Charlie in your life.I tried to slow my breathing.Alice held out her hand. There was a small white box on her palm. These will irritate your eyes they wont hurt, but theyll cloud your vision. Its annoying. They also wont match your old color, but its still better than bright red, right?She flipped the contact box into the air and I caught it.When did you Before you left on the honeymoon. I was prepared for several possible futures.I nodded and opened the container. Id never worn contacts before, but it couldnt be that hard. I took the little brown quarter-sphere and pressed it, concave side in, to my eye.I blinked, and a film interrupted my sight. I could see through it, of course, but I could also see the metric grain of the thin screen. My eye kept focusing on the microscopic scratches and warped sections.I see what you mean, I murmured as I stuck the other one in. I tried to not blink this time. My eye automatically wanted to dislodge the obstruction.How do I look?Edward smil ed. Gorgeous. Of course Yes, yes, she always looks gorgeous, Alice finished his thought impatiently. Its better than red, but thats the highest commendation I can give. Muddy brown. Your brown was much prettier. Keep in mind that those wont last forever the venom in your eyes will dissolve them in a few hours. So if Charlie stays longer than that, youll have to excuse yourself to replace them. Which is a good idea anyway, because populace need bathroom breaks. She shook her head. Esme, give her a few pointers on acting human while I stock the powder room with contacts.How long do I have?Charlie will be here in five minutes. Keep it simple.Esme nodded once and came to take my hand. The main thing is not to sit too still or move too fast, she told me.Sit down if he does, Emmett interjected. Humans dont like to just stand there.Let your eyes locomote every thirty seconds or so, Jasper added. Humans dont stare at one thing for too long.Cross your legs for about five minutes, then sw itch to crosswalk your ankles for the next five, Rosalie said.I nodded once at each suggestion. Id noticed them doing some of these things yesterday. I thought I could mimic their actions.And blink at least iii times a minute, Emmett said. He frowned, then darted to where the television remote sat on the end table. He flipped the TV on to a college football game and nodded to himself.Move your hands, too. Brush your hair back or pretend to scratch something, Jasper said.I said Esme Alice complained as she returned. Youll overwhelm her.No, I think I got it all, I said. Sit, look around, blink, fidget.Right, Esme approved. She hugged my shoulders.Jasper frowned. Youll be holding your breath as much as possible, but you need to move your shoulders a little to make it /oo/clike youre breathing.I inhaled once and then nodded again.Edward hugged me on my free side. You can do this, he repeated, murmuring the encouragement in my ear.Two minutes, Alice said. Maybe you should start out alr eady on the couch. Youve been sick, after all. That way he wont have to see you move right at first.Alice pulled me to the sofa. I tried to move slowly, to make my limbs more clumsy. She rolled her eyes, so I must not have been doing a good job.Jacob, I need Renesmee, I said.Jacob frowned, unmoving.Alice shook her head. Bella, that doesnt help me see.But I need her. She keeps me calm.7The edge of panic in my voice was unmistakable.Fine, Alice groaned. Hold her as still as you can and Ill try to see around her. She sighed wearily, like shed been asked to work overtime on a holiday. Jacob sighed, too, but brought Renesmee to me, and then retreated quickly from Alices glare.Edward took a seat beside me and put his arms around Renesmee and me. He leaned forward and looked Renesmee very seriously in the eyes.Renesmee, someone special is coming to see you and your mother, he said in a solemn voice, as if he expected her to understand every word. Did she? She looked back at him with clear, grave eyes. But hes not like us, or even like Jacob. We have to be very careful with him. You shouldnt tell him things the way you tell us.Renesmee touched his face.Exactly, he said. And hes going to make you thirsty. But you mustnt bite him. He wont heal like Jacob.Can she understand you? I whispered.She understands. Youll be careful, wont you, Renesmee? Youll help us?Renesmee touched him again.No, I dont care if you bite Jacob. Thats fine.Jacob chuckled.Maybe you should leave, Jacob, Edward said coldly, glaring in his direction. Edward hadnt forgiven Jacob, because he knew that no matter what happened now, I was going to be hurting. But Id take the burn happily if that were the worst thing Id face tonight.I told Charlie Id be here, Jacob said. He needs the moral support.Moral support, Edward scoffed. As far as Charlie knows, youre the most repulsive monster of us all.Repulsive? Jake protested, and then he laughed quietly to himself.I heard the tires turn off the highway onto the quiet, damp earth of the Cullens drive, and my breathing spiked again. My heart ought to have been hammering. It made me anxious that my body didnt have the right reactions.I concentrated on the steady thrumming of Renesmees heart to calm myself. It worked pretty quickly.Well done, Bella, Jasper whispered in approval.Edward tightened his arm over my shoulders.Youre sure? I asked him.Positive. You can do anything He smiled and kissed me.It wasnt precisely a peck on the lips, and my wild vampiric reactions took me off guard yet again. Edwards lips were like a shot of some addictive chemical straight into my nervous system. I was instantly lust more. It took all my concentration to remember the baby in my arms.Jasper felt my mood change. Er, Edward, you might not want to distract her like that right now. She needs to beable to focus.Edward pulled away. Oops, he said.I laughed. That had been my line from the very beginning, from the very first kiss.Later, I said, and anticipation curle d my stomach into a ball.Focus, Bella, Jasper urged.Right. i pushed the trembly feelings away. Charlie, that was the main thing now. Keep Charlie safe today. We would have all night___Bella.Sorry, Jasper.Emmett laughed.The sound of Charlies cruiser got closer and closer. The second of levity passed, and everyone was still. I crossed my legs and practiced my blinks.The car pulled in front of the house and idled for a few seconds. I wondered if Charlie was as nervous as I was. Then the engine cut off, and a door slammed. Three steps across the grass, and then eight echoing thuds against the wooden stairs. Four more echoing footsteps across the porch. Then silence. Charlie took two deep breaths.Knock, knock, knock.I inhaled for what might be the last time. Renesmee nestled deeper into my arms, hiding her face in my hair.Carlisle answered the door. His stressed expression changed to one of welcome, like switching the channel on the TV.Hello, Charlie, he said, looking appropriately abash ed. After all, we were supposed to be in Atlanta at the Center for Disease Control. Charlie knew hed been lied to.Carlisle, Charlie greeted him stiffly. Wheres Bella?Right here, Dad.Ugh My voice was so wrong. Plus, Id used up some of my air supply. I gulped in a quick refill, glad that Charlies scent had not saturated the room yet.Charlies blank expression told me how off my voice was. His eyes zeroed in on me and widened.I read the emotions as they scrolled across his face.Shock. Disbelief. Pain. Loss. Fear. Anger. Suspicion. More pain.I bit my lip. It felt funny. My new teeth were sharper against my granite skin than my human teeth had been against my soft human lips.Is that you, Bella? he whispered.Yep. I winced at my wind-chime voice. Hi, Dad.He took a deep breath to steady himself.Hey, Charlie, Jacob greeted him from the corner. Howre things?Charlie glowered at Jacob once, shuddered at a memory, and then stared at me again.Slowly, Charlie walked across the room until he was a f ew feet away from me. He darted an accusing glare at Edward, and then his eyes flickered back to me. The warmth of his body heat beat against me with each pulse of his heart.Bella? heasked again.I spoke in a lower voice, trying to keep the ring out of it.Its really me.His vex locked.Im sorry, Dad, I said.Are you okay? he demanded.Really and truly great, I promised. Healthy as a horse.That was it for my oxygen.Jake told me this was necessary. That you were dying. He said the words like he didnt believe them one bit.I steeled myself, focused on Renesmees warm weight, leaned into Edward for support, and took a deep breath.Charlies scent was a fistful of flames, punching straight down my throat. But it was so much more than pain. It was a hot stabbing of desire, too. Charlie smelled more delicious than anything Id ever imagined. As appealing as the anonymous hikers had been on the hunt, Charlie was doubly tempting. And he was just a few feet away, leaking mouthwatering heat and moistur e into the dry air.But I wasnt hunting now. And this was my father.Edward squeezed my shoulders sympathetically, and Jacob shot an apologetic glance at me across the room.I tried to collect myself and ignore the pain and longing of the thirst. Charlie was waiting for my answer.Jacob was telling you the truth.That makes one of you, Charlie growled.I hoped Charlie could see past the changes in my new face to read the remorse there.Under my hair, Renesmee sniffed as Charlies scent registered with her, too. I tightened my grip on her.Charlie saw my anxious glance down and followed it. Oh, he said, and all the anger put down off his face, leaving only shock behind. This is her. The orphan Jacob said youre adopting.My niece, Edward lied smoothly. He must have decided that the resemblance between Renesmee and him was too enounce to be ignored. Best to claim they were related from the beginning.I thought youd lost your family, Charlie said, accusation returning to his voice.I lost my pare nts. My older brother was adopted, like me. I never saw him after that. But the courts located me when he and his wife died in a car accident, leaving their only child without any other family.Edward was so good at this. His voice was even, with just the right amount of innocence. I needed practice so that I could do that.Renesmee peeked out from under my hair, sniffing again. She glanced shyly at Charlie from under her long lashes, then hid again.Shes shes,well, shes a beauty.Yes, Edward agreed.Kind of a big responsibility, though. You two are just getting started.What else could we do? Edward brushed his fingers lightly over her cheek. I saw him touch her lips for just a moment a reminder. Would you have refused her?Hmph. Well. Heshook his head absently. Jake says you call her Nessie?No, we dont, I said, my voice too sharp and piercing. Her name is Renesmee.Charlie refocused on me. How do you feel about this? Maybe Carlisle and Esme could Shes mine, I interrupted. I want her.Ch arlie frowned. You gonna make me a grandpa so teenaged?Edward smiled. Carlisle is a grandfather, too.Charlie shot an incredulous glance at Carlisle, still standing by the front door he looked like Zeuss younger, better-looking brother.Charlie snorted and then laughed. I guess that does sort of make me feel better.His eyes strayed back to Renesmee. She sure is something to look at. His warm breath blew lightly across the space between us.Renesmee leaned toward the smell, shaking off my hair and looking him full in the face for the first time. Charlie gasped.I knew what he was seeing. My eyes his eyes copied exactly into her perfect face.Charlie started hyperventilating. His lips trembled, and I could read the numbers he mouthed. He was counting backward, trying to fit nine months into one. Trying to put it together but not able to force the depict right in front of him to make any sense.Jacob got up and came over to pat Charlie on the back. He leaned in to whisper something in Ch arlies ear only Charlie didnt know we could all hear.Need to know, Charlie. Its okay. I promise.Charlie swallowed and nodded. And then his eyes blazed as he took a step closer to Edward with his fists tightly clenched.I dont want to know everything, but Im done with the liesIm sorry, Edward said calmly, but you need to know the state-supported story more than you need to know the truth. If youre going to be part of this secret, the public story is the one that counts. Its to protect Bella and Renesmee as well as the rest of us. Can you go along with the lies for them?The room wasfull of statues. I crossed my ankles.Charlie huffed once and then turned his glare on me. You mightve given me some warning, kid.Would it really have made this any easier?He frowned, and then he knelt on the floor in front of me. I could see the movement of the blood in his neck under his skin. I could feel the warm vibration of it.So could Renesmee. She smiled and reached one pink palm out to him. I held h er back. She pushed her otherhand against my neck, thirst, curiosity, and Charlies face in her thoughts. There was a subtle edge to the message that made me think that shed soundless Edwards words perfectly she acknowledged thirst, but overrode it in the same thought.Whoa, Charlie gasped, his eyes on her perfect teeth. How old is she?UrnThree months, Edward said, and then added slowly, rather, shes the size of a three-month-old, more or less. Shes younger in some ways, more mature in others.Very deliberately, Renesmee waved at him.Charlie blinked spastically.Jacob elbowed him. Told you she was special, didnt I?Charlie cringed away from the contact.Oh, cmon, Charlie, Jacob groaned. Im the same person Ive always been. Just pretend this afternoon didnt happen.The reminder made Charlies lips go white, but he nodded once. Just what is your part in all this, Jake? he asked. How much does Billy know? Why are you here? He looked at Jacobs face, which was glowing as he stared at Renesmee.We ll, I could tell you all about it Billy knows absolutely everything but it involves a lot of stuff about werewo Ungh Charlie protested, covering his ears. Never mind.Jacob grinned. Everythings going to be great, Charlie. Just try to not believe anything you see.My dad mumbled something unintelligible. flirt Emmett suddenly boomed in his deep bass. Go GatorsJacob and Charlie jumped. The rest of us froze.Charlie recovered, then looked at Emmett over his shoulder. Florida winning?Just scored the first touchdown, Emmett confirmed. He shot a look in my direction, wagging his eyebrows like a villain in vaudeville. Bout time somebody scored around here.I fought back a hiss. In front of Charlie? That was over the line.But Charlie was beyond noticing innuendos. He took yet another deep breath, sucking the air in like he was trying to pull it down to his toes. I envied him. He lurched to his feet, stepped around Jacob, and half-fell into an open chair. Well, he sighed, I guess we should se e if they can hold on to the lead.