After Forever (a Twilight Saga fanfiction: 10 years after Breaking Dawn)

40 ◦ Back Home (EPOV)

January 15th 2017

The moon shone overhead as Bella and I closed the door behind us. We had just finished putting the final pieces of decor in Renesmee and Jacob's new home. They should be back from their honeymoon within the hour.

"She's never been away from us this long. I hate it," Bella complained as we ran.

"So do I. She's not allowed to leave ever again."

She laughed. "I can't believe our baby is married."

"I can't believe who our baby is married to."

Bella sighed and interlocked her fingers with mine. "Well... Here's to forever. Might as well embrace it."

I halted—she skidded a little before stopping in front of me, not expecting it—and planted my lips on hers. "Forever."

Everyone was home when we arrived, waiting for the newlyweds. They didn't like being away from Ness any more than we did.

We heard a car pull into the driveway and before we got too excited, Bella glanced at me.

"It's not them," I announced. "It's Charlie, Sue, Renèe, Seth, and Billy."

Carlisle went downstairs to open the door for them.

"You're just in time," he greeted in a soothing voice. "They should be here any minute."

Bella hugged them all before they sat down. Emmett playfully punched Charlie and Seth's shoulders and Renèe went to the kitchen to accompany Esme.

I subtly let everyone know when Renesmee and Jacob's mind voices were within my reach.

Bella demanded to be the first one at the top of the stairs and I joined her, my marble hands squeezing her shoulders. It was my way of helping; she could barely keep herself from bobbing happily in her place.

We watched with tears of venom in our eyes as Jacob's car came into view just beyond the tree line. His hand was wrapped around Renesmee's knee and her eyes never left his face.

Rose took one quick step ahead and Emmett had to halt her with all the necessary strength.

"Just one more minute, babe." He kissed the top of her hair and she sighed in annoyance.

The ignition shut off and Jake got out to open Nessie's door for her.

"Mrs. Black?" he said in a posh butler voice. I had to resist rolling my eyes, but it made me smile anyway.

Ness giggled, taking his hand. "Mr. Black."

"Kill me," Emmett muttered. Jasper, Alice, and myself let out a chuckle.

When she finally looked away from Jake and to the space in front of her, her eyes met with Bella's and she started running up the stairs. Carlisle was quick to open the door for her and she leapt into her mother's waiting arms. I wrapped mine around both of them and Charlie was pretty hasty to follow beside me.

"My baby," Bella whispered before squeezing Ness once more and letting go.

We impatiently let everyone get their turn as we waited on the couch. Bella took one of Renesmee's hands as she sat down with us and held her other one to her cheek.

"Tell me everything."

Flashes of the island flooded our minds. Renesmee and Jacob in a boat on the way there. The sunrise on its horizon. The waterfall from a distance.

A shot of something warm and unfocused overtook everything, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. I flinched but shoved the feeling aside to revel in my daughter's happiness.

Bella could tell she was keeping something from her. She cracked a smile, knowing.

Then came the inside. The front room, the windows for walls, the skylight... The white room, the blue room.

Her and Jacob jumped from the top of the waterfall and they roamed the whole forest. The grin never left their faces. It was my favorite sight.

Jacob was still talking to Carlisle and Esme. He was thanking them again for letting him and Nessie use the island for their honeymoon while simultaneously punching Em for teasing him about the activities that took place there. Bella noticed, too. I knew she'd be blushing if it were biologically possible.

"We've missed you so much, Ness," I sighed happily, kissing her forehead. She patted my cheek, telling me the same.

"Where's the cake and streamers?" Jake snickered. Alice was about to blow a fuse. Jazz touched her shoulder and she huffed dramatically before darting out.

Who'd she lose a bet to? Jacob thought in a bemused tone. Had to be Bells.

Renesmee settled herself into the couch. "Did we miss anything while we were gone?"

"Nothing in particular." I cleared my throat and glanced at Jacob. He nodded, perking up instantly despite how exhausted he was. We stood at the same time and I held out my hand to Nessie. She took it timidly. "We have something for you two."

"You do?"

"Mm-hm. A wedding present from all of us."

Her face lit up and so did his in response. Bella held onto her other hand and we started making our way to the trail. Jacob shifted so he could run with us, holding his clothes in his mouth.

After approximately four minutes and thirty-eight seconds of running, we stopped far enough for the surprise to be a big reveal.

"Why is it so far out?" Ness wondered. Jacob had stepped aside to dress himself.

"Your dad and I have thought a lot about this. Pretty much since you two got together. We still want you close, but away enough that you have your own real space and privacy..."

Renesmee understood immediately. For the briefest moment, both hers and Jake's minds clicked at the fact that I couldn't hear their minds all the way out here. I tore my eyes from them and looked at the thinning trees ahead.

Nessie stopped walking. "You didn't."

"They did," Jake confirmed.

"Wait. You knew?"

He nodded. She was confused.

"We wanted his opinion about some things," Bella told her. She jutted her chin forward and Renesmee followed her gaze.

Her gasp was just as loud in her head as it was from her mouth. "It's beautiful," she sobbed. "I can't believe you guys did this for us."

"I mean, if you'd rather keep living with us..."

Bella nudged me. I grinned.

Ness spun around and hugged both of us. Jacob surprisingly did, too. It was a surprise for me, at least. He hugs Bella frequently.

"Tha—"

"No need." Bella kissed the top of her head, then Jake's cheek. "Go check it out. We'll see you two later."

"We're so happy you're back," I added before we went home. I wanted to get as many miles away as I could before they got inside.