Hopeless Devotion ~ A Jasper Hale Story

Chapter Twenty - In Awe of my Child

I sat in the same spot with Adeline, unable to really let her go, mesmerized by her beauty. Barely noticing the movement of people shifting around, until the doors opened and then Carlisle appeared carrying a measuring tape and the small scale.

I looked up from Adeline at all that was happening. For some reason, my stomach dipped. Bella looked over immediately, as well.

Carlisle smiled faintly. "Six o'clock."

Bella blinked, sharing the confusion with me. "Already?" Edward moved beside her automatically.

Carlisle motioned toward the couch. "Time to measure."

My eyes followed everyone over, holding Adeline against my shoulder. She felt warm, Heavy, and comfortable. Different from a few hours ago. Yet, not enough for me to think about it. Yet.

Bella frowned. "You do this every day?"

Carlisle looked up. "Four times."

Bella stared. "Four times a day?"

Carlisle nodded absently. "They're still growing quickly."

Both of the girls. I looked down at Adeline, memorizing her face and adorable ringlets that fell against her shoulders.

Carlisle started with Renesmee.

Measuring her length and width with the tape. She seemed quite used to what was needed of her to do, stretching out for the tape. He then placed her on a scale. Observing her. Yet taking no notes, not that he really needed to with vampire memory. Jacob stood close—not hovering exactly, but beating Bella to the chase with all of his questions, not taking his eyes off of Renesmee.

Carlisle finished and moved to Adeline. I handed her over. She blinked at him but didn't fuss; she seemed already used to this ritual of theirs as well. He measured her length, dispite her smaller size, she seemed almost as aware of what was needed of her too. Carlise then measured again. Tilted his head slightly. Then measured her head.

Something in my chest pulled. Not because Carlisle looked worried. Because—I looked at Adeline. Like I was actually looking. Not compared to yesterday, I was 'sleeping' as I gently would say to Addie. Compared to when I first saw her earlier today. Her cheeks were still rounded softly. Her little legs would still tuck up into the beloved newborn scrunch when she was picked up.

She was still a young baby. But—Her face looked just a little different, not like a newborn. Her body looked longer. Her hair looked fuller. Tiny changes. Changes I never would've noticed if I hadn't been seeing her every few hours.

And suddenly—I understood why they measured four times a day.

Carlisle looked up. "Adeline is still growing rapidly."

Bella looked over, and we shared the same emotion for a moment.

Carlisle continued. "Though Renesmee's rate remains slightly ahead."

I looked between them. And—she wasn't that far behind. Something uncomfortable opened in my chest. Not fear. Not yet. Just—awareness.

Bella had gone still. Renesmee reached up and pressed her little hand to Bella's cheek. Bella softened instantly. I watched her expression shift. Small reactions. A smile. A tiny laugh. Her eyes unfocused for seconds at a time. Renesmee was showing her.

Not words. Just moments. Little pieces of her day. 

Bella whispered—"She remembers everything..."

Jacob leaned closer immediately. "What's she showing?"

Bella smiled softly. "You." He looked unbearably pleased. "And Rosalie." Bella snorted.

His expression dropped. I smiled.

Renesmee never moved her hand for a second. Bella's smile softened.

"She's showing me being measured."

Then, Bella's face changed. Just a little. Like she realized something. I knew before she said anything. Every few hours. Every day. Because they were changing.

I looked down at Adeline. And wondered—How much had I already missed?

Later, I took Adeline outside. I looked around, amazed by the clarity that I now have. The yard looked the same but clearer. With the type of intricacy that humans could never process. Adeline seemed to look around in contentment. I smiled, looking down at her, and seeing the mix of Jasper and me in her.

Jasper apparently followed us out. The porch was cool, in comparison to the very warm baby in my arms. I moved to sit near the railing while Jasper settled beside me. Adeline looked up and stared at him. He looked back at her.

Then covered his face.

Peek-a

She blinked.

Boo.

Her mouth opened into a tiny smile.

Again.

This time she laughed. It was small and breathy, yet sounded like bells. Jasper smiled back. She reached out for him he didn't hesitate to pull her into his embrace. He did it again.

Then carefully lifted her once—not high—just enough to make her squeak. Bringing her back down. Another laugh escaped her.

I watched, smiling. Her face. The tiny sounds of her laughing. The way she looked at him. The way he looked at her. And suddenly I wanted to make sure I remember all of it.

Jasper glanced over. "You're thinking too loudly."

I smiled faintly. "She looks bigger."

His eyes moved to her. Then back. "...Yeah."

Adeline reached out to me. I automatically cradle her to my chest, and she starts whimpering expectantly. I look up to Jasper, who leads us inside to the kitchen, where a fresh cream colored bottle is sitting on the table. 

"She likes variety in choice, while Renesmee prefers one source." He chuckles, handing me the bottle. 

"I can't blame her, that will be what I miss most about mortality, Food." I giggled, watching Adeline get frustrated by how long this ordeal is taking I offer the bottle, and she helps me hold it while she eats.

After a while, Adeline yawned. Both of her hands drop from the bottle. One tiny hand opened against my shirt. Her eyes had been getting heavy. 

I wandered to a rocking chair and sat, moving her to lie against my chest. She curled automatically against me. Still a baby. Still so little.

But—not exactly the same little she'd been this morning.

Bella was sitting quietly by the window. Renesmee asleep against her. One tiny hand pressed to Bella's face. Bella wasn't moving. Just watching.

For a minute neither of us spoke.

Then quietly—Bella breaks the silence— "She dreams."

I looked over. Bella smiled without looking away. "Colors. Faces."

I looked down at Adeline, smiling in her sleep. Her eyes flutter under her eyelids. Just tiny sleepy breaths.

Bella looked at me. And I knew she'd had the same thought. They were still babies. And somehow—already growing too fast.