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

18 ∘ Unnecessary (BPOV)

September 20th, 2016

I froze when I heard my dad’s cruiser closing up on the house. Edward went to open the front door for him, and it sounded like Charlie was rushing. The rest of the family came downstairs to join us.

Charlie didn’t wait to speak. “Well? What’s the verdict? Bella?”

I looked up at him. “I’m gonna tell her.”

He tilted his head. “Wait. What? Tell her what, exactly?”

“Mostly what you know. Maybe that will be enough for her to calm down.”

“You all think that’s best?” His eyes scanned the room, pausing at each of their faces.

“Bella knows her better than us. It was her choice,” Carlisle said.

“And what if it isn’t enough? What if she asks for more?”

“More than knowing her daughter is alive? I think that’s all she’ll care about right now. And if I’m wrong, we’ll turn the conversation another way,” I whispered.

Edward clapped his palm onto my dad’s shoulder. “It’ll be okay.”

Charlie was scared, but nodded anyway.

“I don’t want Renesmee there. But I do want Jacob there. Where are they?” I hadn’t seen them in a few hours.

“Exploring. I’ll call him.” Edward lifted his phone to his ear after quickly dialing Jacob’s number.

“I’ll stay here with Nessie.” Esme told me, and went to the kitchen.

“Hey.” Jacob‘s husky voice could be heard by everyone, including Charlie.

“How fast can you get home?” Edward asked.

“Maybe twenty minutes.”

“Who is that?” I heard Renesmee call to him from a distance.

“What about if you shifted?” Edward almost spoke too fast for Charlie to understand. His eyebrows were narrowed.

“About five. What’s going on?”

“I’ll leave you some clothes on the pathway. Hurry,” he said, and hung up.

All of a sudden, Edward laughed. He shook his head at Charlie when a confused look took over his face.

I kept my eyes on Edward’s face when he came to sit by me. With so much going on lately, I haven’t been able to appreciate his beauty. It’s something I used to do on a daily basis.

I quickly nodded to my dad, trying to see what happened. He shrugged. He’d tell me later.

Soon, the door swung open and Jacob rushed inside. Renesmee was right on his heels.

“What the hell?”

“We’re going to Charlie’s. To talk to Renée,” Edward told Jake, then stood up.

“Excuse me? No, we’re not.”

“Ness, you’re staying here with your grandmother.” Nessie understood his urgent tone, and went to see Esme in the kitchen. She was making lunch.

“Don’t you ever think for a second I would allow anything that would jeopardize her safety.” Jacob kept walking until his was towering over Edward.

“I’m going to suggest that you take a step back, son.” Edward stayed calm. He knew how to handle it when Jake acted out like this. Ever since he Imprinted, his protective side had escalated to a thousand. I’m grateful, because I knew he’d never let anything happen to my daughter. He’d do anything to save her life. Even if it meant throwing himself in the fire.

“And what’s gonna happen when they find out someone knows?” He couldn’t say ‘Volturi’ with Charlie here. “She’s the most vulnerable part of this family, and will be the first one to be targeted. I won’t let it happen. You’re not telling anyone anything.”

“I’ll do whatever I want. If it involves my daughter, I’ll be the one to make the decision. Not you.” His voice got lower. “This is happening.”

“Over my dead body.” His wolf side was starting to take over. He needed to calm down quick. By now, everyone was watching, and starting to worry.

“Try me.” I rolled my eyes. Edward was enjoying this a little to much. If they didn’t break it up in the next thirty seconds, I’d have to intervene.

“You think you’re above everyone else. You always have. When are you gonna realize that you’re—” Edward slammed his palm to Jacob’s chest, and he went flying back into the wall, ten feet behind him. He crashed into a framed painting that Renesmee made Carlisle for Christmas a few years ago. I heard a few ribs break. Possibly even his left arm.

Renesmee gasped audibly. She held onto Emmett for support. She hated when the two men she loved most fought. It broke her heart, and we all knew it. But it still never stopped. Something always got them riled up.

I sped in front of Edward, and had him in a choke hold on the wall opposite of Jacob.

“Stop it!” I growled. “You’re not helping the situation!”

His face immediately softened. “I’m sorry.”

“He may not be able to help his anger, but you sure as hell can!” Turning to Jacob, I snarled, “Get up.”

“Oh, thanks!” His sarcasm definitely wasn’t diminishing my anger. “Thanks a lot. Just a few broken bones. No biggie.” He slowly stood from the fetal position. I heard his bones cracking back together.

“You did this! Not me. Don’t you dare think anybody’s to blame here but yourself.” I stared, disgusted. “For the most part, we all understand your need to protect her... But this is too far. I won’t stand for it anymore.” I sighed. “Get out.”

“What?”

“Get out of this house. Maybe if you’re away from Renesmee for a few days, that pain will teach you a lesson.”

“Mom,” Renesmee cried out. The tears in her eyes were glistening. It churned me, but she must’ve known I wasn’t doing this to hurt her.

I heard Charlie’s breathing hitch. “Bella.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Esme cling to Carlisle. “My god...” It’s like the three of us forgot he was here.

I spun slowly. What have I done?! I was so overwhelmed, and irritated... that I vamped out in front of my father. Edward did, too. I felt sick. Where was Jasper when I needed him?

“How... What just... That was...” He could barely get a full sentence out without taking another deep breath. “Bells... What was that?”