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

44 ◦ Family Tree (EPOV)

February 2nd 2017

The endless cycle of day and night continued. The house has been on high alert for days, thoughts running a mile a minute and even faster travels.

Any time Renesmee made a sound or whenever we saw her stomach bloat more, hands were on her and voices were cooing in her face.

Just twelve short years ago, if someone told me I'd soon be a husband, a father, and a grandfather, I would have laughed at them. I had no idea the capacity of growth or feeling of pure joy I could experience.

I owe that all to Bella. Carlisle saved my human life, but Bella saved my vampire life.

The majority of us were sitting in the living room. Nessie was at the piano, playing the lullaby I wrote for her. Emmett and Rosalie were dancing. Carlisle and Esme were cooking in the kitchen. Jasper and Alice were sitting on the stairs, looking out at the view.

We were all waiting for Jacob, Charlie, and Renée, who were on their way over. Jacob was close now; I could hear his mind.

Bella snuggled into my embrace on the white sofa. I felt the release of her shield as she lowered it for me. "Do you hear anything yet?" she thought, referring to Renesmee's pregnancy. I shook my head.

"She's probably around two or three weeks."

"Give or take," I mouthed. Thankfully, no one was the wiser. She was probably wondering the same thing I was.

Since the creature Nessie's carrying is more human than she is, it may need to gestate longer than she did inside Bella's womb. The question was, how much longer?

"Jacob just turned in from the main road," I announced. Renesmee perked up, making her music more lively. I smiled adoringly at her. She stood once she heard the rev of his motorcycle.

"It's almost six," Bella noticed. "My parents should be here soon, too."

The newlyweds greeted each other at the front steps. It took several minutes for them to get a hold of themselves and enter the house. He stopped by the kitchen to say hello to Carlisle and Esme before joining us in the living room.

Jacob nudged Bella's knee. "Hey, Bells. Pops."

I rolled my eyes while she laughed. "Hi, Jake."

"Hello, Jacob."

It wasn't long before I heard Charlie's police cruiser weave through the driveway. The dinner table was already set.

Bella headed to the front door to bring them inside.

"My Bella," Renée gushed. They hugged for a brief moment. I'll never get used to the cold. I wish I could have taken the Florida heat with me.

I chuckled. A few pairs of eyes glanced over at me.

Charlie clapped his hands together when they were just around the corner. "Smells great! I feel bad most of you can't enjoy any of this." He shook Carlisle's hand and kissed Esme's cheek. "Thank you, you two."

My mother smiled. "It's our pleasure."

Carlisle sat at the head of the table. Starting from his left sat Esme, Renée, Bella, myself, Renesmee, Jacob, Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, Alice, and Charlie.

Simple conversation flowed throughout dinner, catching up on day-to-day activities. Renée was feeling more at home and she recently got a job as a kindergarten teacher. Charlie told us how Sue was currently visiting Leah to help with the last minute details for the wedding that's happening on the twentieth of this month and how she's sorry she couldn't be here tonight.

Even without my gift—or without being able to detect Jasper's gift—one would have to be blind of all senses to not see how enthralled Charlie was about Sue. His eyes lit up and his body language was warm. He loved her so. Almost as much as I loved my Bella. I could tell she enjoyed seeing him so happy as well.

Emmett and Jacob had gotten so close these past few years. They had their inside jokes and their banter—they were a lot alike, and it was a incredible entertainment to witness.

After dinner, Alice and I did the dishes. The family was in the parlor, taking out a deck of cards and some board games to play.

After a few won hands, Renesmee cleared her throat. Everyone looked to her and Jacob, their hands wrapped together.

It's time!, Alice beamed.

"We actually have something to tell you two," Jake told them, visibly nervous. He shuffled in his seat.

"That's another reason why I was so sad Sue couldn't be here—" Nessie lowered her head but kept the smile on her face. "—but I didn't want to wait any longer!"

"What is it, kid?" Charlie wondered.

The two exchanged a look before simultaneously declared, "We're having a baby!"

Squeals erupted—even from those who already knew. Renée wrapped her arms around Renesmee's thin shoulders and Charlie did the same to Jacob before turning to Bella and I.

"Now you're gonna see what it feels like to be a grandmother so young," he chortled.

Bella rolled her eyes affectionately. "Oh, hush."

Bella, Nessie, Esme, Rosalie, and Renée sat together in a circle. Baby names were discussed, along with birth plans and nursery themes.

The rest of us continued the games. Charlie and Alice were winning at charades. Jacob and Emmett were a close second. I was forced to watch since I had an "unfair advantage."

"Seriously, though," Charlie started, taking a seat next to me. "How do you feel about the baby?"

I took a deep breath—the back of my mind was reaming myself for not hunting sooner. "Honestly, I'm not sure yet. A lot has changed in so little time already. I still feel like I'm getting to know my daughter."

"It's a lot," he agreed. "But you'll do just fine."

"Thank you, Charlie."

He smiled. I could tell he was still amused by Bella and I being grandparents as teenagers. I was still weirded out myself.