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IT HAD BEEN TWO DAYS SINCE RENESMEE WAS BORN, AND HER RAPID GROWTH EVERYONE ON EDGE. She was thriving, happy and almost impossibly alert, but the speed at which she was developing made me uneasy. We didn't know how much time we'd have with her, and honestly, it worried me.
I had grown so fond of her. She was adorable and rarely cried a little bundle of joy. It struck me, though, that I would never have children of my own. Blood relation or not, this tiny girl already meant the world to me.
We were all in the living room. Rosalie held Renesmee gently, cradling her as if she were made of glass.
As Bella and Edward entered the house, the entire family turned to face them.
"Welcome to the family," Esme said warmly, stepping forward.
"You look amazing, Bella," Alice added, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"You look incredible," I said, smiling at her. She returned it, her face glowing with pride and exhaustion.
"Someone's been waiting to meet you," Carlisle said, nodding toward Rosalie.
"Rose," Edward called gently.
Rosalie, holding Renesmee, turned toward them. Bella finally laid eyes on her daughter. Renesmee already looked several months old, her bright eyes taking in the world. Rosalie carefully handed her to Bella.
Renesmee reached up and tenderly touched Bella's face. Suddenly, images flooded Bella's mind memories from the moment she had given birth.
"What... was that?" Bella whispered, shocked.
"She showed you the first memory she has of you," Edward explained softly.
Jasper wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close as I watched the exchange.
"Showed me? How?" Bella asked, her voice still tinged with awe.
"Like how I hear thoughts, like Alice sees the future, like Delilah moves things with her hands—she's gifted," Edward replied, glancing at me.
Bella stared at Renesmee, noticing how much older she already seemed for a newborn.
"I've only been out for two days?" she asked.
"Her growth rate is unprecedented," Carlisle said quietly, his eyes on the child.
Bella held her daughter close, and Jacob immediately stiffened, radiating protective energy.
"All right, that's enough experimenting for one day," he said, trying to take Renesmee from her arms.
"Jacob, she's fine," Edward said calmly.
"Yeah, but let's not push it," Jacob added, making Bella glare at him.
"What's your problem?" she demanded.
"Oh, do tell her, Jacob," Rosalie teased, smirking.
"This should be good," Emmett muttered, grinning.
Edward stepped forward, taking Renesmee gently from Bella.
"Bella, it's a wolf thing," Jacob said.
"What's a wolf thing?" she asked, exasperated.
I rolled my eyes she already knew what he meant. Jacob had explained it before, though the situation still carried a tension all its own.
"Um... we have no control over it. We can't choose who it happens with. And it doesn't mean what you think, Bella. I promise," Jacob said, meeting her furious gaze.
"Take Renesmee out of the room," Bella ordered, voice sharp.
Edward stepped behind her, hand on her shoulder.
"Edward, don't touch me right now. I don't want to hurt you," she said.
Edward withdrew, glaring at Jacob. Bella grabbed him and pushed him outside. The rest of us followed, and the entire family ended up on the porch.
"You imprinted on my daughter?" Bella demanded.
"It wasn't my choice!" Jacob shouted.
"She's a baby!" Bella snapped.
"It's not like that. You think Edward would let me live if it was?" Jacob asked.
"I'm still debating it," Edward said, leaning against the railing.
"I've held her once! ONE time, Jacob! And you already think you have some wolfy claim on her? She's MINE!" Bella yelled, striking Jacob across the face.
Leah and Seth arrived in wolf form.
"It's fine, Leah," Jacob said quickly.
"You're gonna stay away from her," Bella said, her voice deadly calm.
"You know I can't do that," Jacob admitted.
Bella punched him hard in the stomach, and he fell to the ground.
"Stop her, Edward," I urged.
"He said it's fine. She's amazing, right?" Edward asked me.
I stayed silent.
"Remember how much you wanted me around three days ago? That's gone now, right?" Jacob asked Bella.
"Long gone," she shot back.
"Because it was her. From the beginning, it was Nessie who wanted me there," Jacob said.
"Nessie? You nicknamed my daughter after the Loch Ness Monster?" Bella shouted.
As Bella moved toward him in anger, Seth attacked in wolf form, but Bella pushed him aside with ease. He slammed into a tree, groaning.
I rushed down the stairs and knelt beside Seth.
"You okay?" I asked.
"I'm good. That's definitely gonna bruise," he said with a wry smile.
I chuckled softly.
"Seth, I'm sorry," Bella murmured.
"He'll be fine," I reassured her, standing and walking back to Jasper, who looked down at me with concern.
Jacob turned to Bella again.
"Bella, you know me better than anyone. All I want is for Ness..." he began, but stopped as he saw her glare at him.
"Renesmee. I want her safe. I want her happy. Nothing ever made sense before you, me, any of it. And now I understand why. This was the reason," Jacob finished.
Bella's expression softened as she finally understood, her anger easing just slightly.
