The Second Life of Graciela Vera Hale.

She is my mother (Revision)

"Can I try to hold her again?" Edward asked with a gentle and timid smile thrown my way, but the way his eyes narrowed at my mom proved it wasn't really a question. Her smile turned into a frown before she forced it to return; it was much less genuine than before, and I scowled. Why couldn't he see that we were both perfectly happy the way we were?

"Hello Graciela," He continued to smile at me with a slightly crooked grin as he adjusted me in his arms. Could he not feel my mom's reluctance, or did he just not care? "I'm your daddy," I stared at him incredulously, spitting the nipple of my bottle out of my mouth and with it; the contents all over his pristine button up shirt.

His expression morphed into one of surprise and slight disgust. I couldn't have stopped the giggle that left me if I tried. One way or another I was going to make him understand he was not wanted or needed in this equation. I was not his. He was not going to ruin this for me!

{Look at his face!} Renesmee couldn't hold in her own laughter and the sound made me laugh all over again. He was simply flabbergasted that I wasn't happy to be held by him.

When we regained control of ourselves, I placed my hand on his cheek. The emotion I passed on was 'want' and so he didn't mistake that as an emotion for him, I added an image of my mother smiling down at me. I was surprised that I hadn't needed to work at it; it was instinctual.

He pursed his lips; his distaste written plainly on his face. I was 'impatient' and that caused his eyes to tighten, was he trying not to scowl at me? His eyes flicked between my mom and me rapidly; like this was a puzzle he couldn't solve. Just like Aunt Alice, he couldn't seem to understand why I would want my mother over him.

Looking up I realized the entire room was watching our interaction closely, especially my sister. This was her father but that didn't stop her protectiveness, she was aware how long I had been waiting for my mom.

"I'm sure your Aunt Rose has better things to do than hold you right now," Edward sneered; His voice was tight, hard. Bordering on snide but it didn't hide the bitter edge.

His audacity blew my mind, even more so when I saw the flash of rage in my mom's eyes. What little gold was peaking threw was once again engulfed in pitch black. I was getting ready to chant 'fight' 'fight' 'fight.'

Unknowingly, since I couldn't talk, I had projected that onto my sister.

{Gracie! They shouldn't fight!} My sister rebuked me with a reproachful glare.

{You just know my mom would kick your dad's as – butt!} I hurriedly corrected myself with an innocent smile. Renesmee huffed but didn't deny my statement. I saw her lips twitch with hidden amusement that Aunt Alice mistook as being amused by her silly faces. She was trying to distract at least one of us from the mounting tension.

"Don't tell her things like that." Mom didn't yell or even snap but it was one of those calm statements that was scarier than if she had yelled. One that promised repercussions, consequences, backlash. The ones that only moms can manage to pull off. "I would love to hold you, princess." She directed that part of the statement toward me, softening exponentially.

"I reckon we all just take a breath, yeah?" Uncle Jasper stepped in between them. I felt a wave of calm that wasn't my own and knew he was using his gift to try to ease the tension. His eyes were flicking between my silently fuming mother and Edward, whose eye was twitching; from the influx of thoughts, I was sure both Mom, Uncle Jasper and even Aunt Alice were sending his way. It didn't interrupt the challenging glare he was sending my mom.

My stomach grumbled causing Uncle Jasper and Mom to look at me in concern. Edward was busy glaring at my mom; I wasn't even sure if he heard it. I huffed before my little arms shook as I forced them to lift and reach for my mom. If he wasn't going to hand me over then I would make sure no one could deny what I wanted. Mom's eyes softened even more as she watched me reach for her. Her lips curving up into a smile that widened at the addition of twinkling puppy eyes for added effect.