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

16 ∘ Confusion (CPOV)

September 20th, 2016

I had just gotten home from Billy’s when I passed Renée on the stairs. She was still here, saying she wanted to feel close to Bells right now. I let her stay in Bella’s old room.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“Yeah, you?”

She nodded, and gestured for me to follow her. “You haven’t done anything to Bella’s room?”

“No, I couldn’t bring myself to.”

She sat on the bed, and took a book from the nightstand. “I can’t believe it’s been ten years... It seems like it was just yesterday when I got the news.”

I didn’t say anything. Bella and I hadn’t discussed what to do if this were to happen. We never expected Renée to show up.

“I’m gonna go down to make lunch. You hungry?”

“Since when have you known how to cook?”

I chuckled. “I’m no expert, but I’ve learned a thing or two from my wife.”

That made her look up. “Wife?”

“Yeah. I got married almost four years ago,” I said, and sat down at Bella’s old desk.

“Wow. How long have you known her?”

“A while. You remember Harry?”

“Clearwater?”

“Mm-hm. He died early 2006. Billy and I always hung around Sue to try to make it feel like Harry was still with us. Sue was his wife.”

“You married your best friend’s girl?” She laughed.

“Well, when you say it that way, it sounds bad. I’m sure wherever he is, he’s just happy that we’re happy.”

“I’m sure you’re right.”

It was quiet for a few minutes. Quietly, I said, “I’m really sorry about Phil.”

She smiled and looked down. “Thanks... Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“Do you have any photo albums that Bella’s in?”

I froze. I had a few albums that Alice made within the last decade, but I didn’t know how many pictures were there of Bells before her ‘death.’

“I doubt I have many with her in it. You know how she felt about that.”

“Do you have any at all? Or some with the Cullens? Seeing as they’re such a big part of your life still, and knowing Alice...”

I tried to think quick, but nothing was coming. “Uh, maybe. They’re probably downstairs.” I stood up, and headed that way. Renée was on my heels.

I stopped at the fireplace, and started looking for the right one. I had absolutely no idea which was which. Someone should have put years on them.

I didn’t know what else to do, so I just took one at random, and handed it to her.

“I’m gonna go make a sandwich.”

She sat on the couch while I went to the kitchen. When I came back, I saw that she had finished one, and grabbed another.

“I’m so glad you stayed in touch with them after...” she started.

“The Cullens are family.”

“I guess you’re right.” She glanced up at me. “How did Edward take it?”

I paused. “As well as you would expect.”

She looked down. “At least he seems okay now.”

I hated lying. I was no good at it. I might slip up, and say the wrong thing.

“So, when did Jacob meet that girl? What was her name?”

“Renesmee. Uh, it’s been a while, I can’t remember,” I stuttered. Another lie.

I heard her mutter, “What kind of name is that anyway?”

I had to hold in my laughter. Nessie was partly named after her.

It baffled me. Renée had to see her similarities with Bella, right? I mean, I saw it the second I met her. The same chocolate eyes, the same cheekbones. And with Edward standing right next to her, it was obvious he was her father.

I’ve never admitted it aloud to any of them, but I did know. I knew she was theirs. I didn’t know how, though. I didn’t know if I wanted to, either. Not that they would tell me anyway.

Her face went cold. “Wait... Charlie, what is this?” She looked at me. “It says Bella. How is she in this?”

“Um... What do you mean?” I stood up, and grabbed the remote from the coffee table. Crap.

“Charles Swan. Don’t do that. Answer me. This can’t exist.” She sat closer to me, and gestured to the picture she was talking about. “So you need to explain to me how it does.”

I turned on the television, ignoring her. I tried to keep a clear expression, but I was panicking.

It was a picture of her, Edward, and Nessie from Christmas six years ago. Thankfully, it didn’t show Bella’s face. For once, I was glad she didn’t like being photographed. There wasn’t many pictures that actually showed her.

“Charlie.” Her voice had certain irritation in it. “I’m not asking again.”

“Calm down, Rae.”

She jumped up, and threw the album on the table. “Calm down?! You’re telling me to calm down, when it’s clear something is going on? Bella wasn’t with Edward during Christmas. So why is there a picture of them around a tree? And Renesmee? I never heard of her before a few days ago, and I know Bella would have mentioned her before.” She kept going on, and on about it. She was pacing around the living room, incredibly angry. I took the opportunity to take the photo albums, and slide them under the couch cushions. Then I tried to tune her out, focusing on finding a good channel.

The kitchen phone rang. I muted the tv, and went to answer it. Talk about good timing.

“Chief Swan.”

“Hey, it’s Cordero. I have something you’re gonna wanna see about the Kingslet case. Are you free to come in?”

“Yeah, I’m on my way,” I said, then hung up.

“We’re in the middle of something!” Renée showed up while I was putting my uniform jacket on.

“We are, but it’s not the same thing. While you get a handle on your emotions, I’m gonna go to work.”

Her mouth was still hanging open at what I said when I got in my cruiser. Before going to the station, I knew I needed to figure this out, so I headed to the Cullens’ place.