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BELLA AND EDWARD STEPPED INTO THE CULLEN HOUSE HAND IN HAND. Jasper and I were curled up together on the couch, his arm wrapped securely around me. He whispered something soft and teasing in my ear, making me giggle quietly. When I glanced up, Edward and Bella were smiling at us. Bella's smile lingered a little longer, she looked genuinely happy for me, as if relieved I had found someone who made me whole.
"Wow, done already?" Emmett called out with a smirk, glancing between Bella and Edward.
"Where's Renesmee?" Bella asked, ignoring him.
"Blondie stole her," Jacob said from his spot by the window, biting into the sandwich I'd made him earlier.
Through the glass, Rosalie could be seen outside, twirling Renesmee around in her arms, the little girl laughing brightly.
"Break a lot of stuff?" Emmett teased again.
"Emmett. No," Bella replied firmly.
Emmett's booming laugh filled the room before being cut short by the sound of a ringing phone.
"Is that Charlie?" Bella asked.
Jasper and I got up from the couch, joining Bella and Edward near the center of the room.
"He's been calling twice a day," Edward said quietly.
"He's also been stopping by my parents' place," I added, frowning. "Asking if they've heard from us. I've had to keep dodging their calls." Jasper rubbed my lower back gently, grounding me.
"He's in pretty rough shape," Jacob said softly.
Carlisle looked at Bella with compassion. "Eventually, we'll have to tell him you didn't make it."
Edward nodded. "He needs to mourn, Bella."
Jacob's expression fell, but he nodded in agreement.
"Okay... we'll do it tomorrow," Bella said finally.
She met my eyes, and I offered her a small, reassuring smile silently telling her that she wasn't alone in this.
"I'm gonna miss this place," Emmett admitted, glancing around the room.
"We'll come back," Carlisle promised. "We always do."
Jacob straightened from where he'd been leaning against the wall. "Wait, nobody said anything about leaving."
Carlisle turned toward him, his tone calm but firm. "Once people believe Bella's gone, we can't risk anyone seeing her. It's the only way to keep everyone safe."
"So you just... disappear?" Jacob asked, frustration creeping into his voice.
"Jacob, we don't have any other choice," Edward explained gently.
Jacob's jaw tightened, the weight of losing Renesmee again heavy in his eyes. Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the house.
