"Happy birthday!"
Rayne growls at Rosalie. It's the thirteenth of September, a few days after Bella died. Rayne is officially twenty today. Rose winks before they walk out. After Rayne picks up Charles.
They're all waiting around for mrs. Bella Cullen to return from her first hunt with her husband.
"Welcome to the family," Esme coos, letting Rayne and Rose know Bella's back.
"You look amazing, Bella," Alice compliments.
"Someone's been waiting to meet you," Carlisle says gently.
"Mia Rose," Rayne speaks.
Rosalie turns with Renesme in her arms. Renesme looks a few months already. Rosalie smiles warmly and she hands Ness over to the new mother and new vampire. Renesme gently touches her small hand to Bella's face, showing her the first memory she has ever had of her. Rayne was amazed and speechless when Ness did it to her.
"What was that?" Bella inquires.
"She showed you the first memory she has of you," Edward replies.
"Showed me how?" Bella asks.
"How can I read thoughts? How can Alice see the future?" Edward asks. "She's gifted."
Bella studies her daughter and notices her age. "I've only been out two days...?"
"Her growth is unprecedented," Carlisle claims n
"Alright," Jacob says suddenly feeling protective. "That's enough experimenting for one day."
"Jacob, she's doing great," Rayne coos as Alana takes Charles.
"Yeah, lets not push it, though," Jacob mjmbws.
"What's your problem?" Bella asks the wolf sternly.
"Oh, do tell her, Jacob," Rosalie muses as she wraps her arms around the new twenty year old from behind.
"This should be good," Emmett comments as he kisses the top of Alana's head.
"Hold on," Rayne says as she grabs Nessie. "I've got her."
Rayne smiles at the little firm.
"Look," Jacob starts, looking nervous, "it's a wolf thing."
"What's a wolf thing?" Bella asks, already growing upset.
"Um..." Jacob struggles to find the right words to use with his imprints mother. "You know we have no control over it. We can't choose who it happens with, and it doesn't Evan what you think, Bella."
"Ray, take Renesme out of the room, please."
Rayne smirks. "Sucks to be you, Jake."
Rayne steps onto the balcony that over looks the back yard and suddenly, Bella is throwing Jacob into the yard.
"You imprinted on my daughter!?" Bella exclaims angrily.
"It wasn't my choice!" Jacob argues right back.
"She's a baby!"
"It's not like that!" Jacob gasps. "You think Edward would let me live if it was?"
"I'm still debating on it," Edward claims as the others join Rayne and Renesme, Quinton is holding Charles now.
"I've held her once. One time, Jacob!" Bella yells. "And already, you think tou have some moronic wolfie claim on her?! She's mine!" She strikes at the shifter and she throws him against a tree, Leah and Seth arrive, Leah growls at the newborn.
"It's fine, Leah," Jacob tells his beta.
"You're gonna stay away from her," Bella demands.
"You know I can't do that," Jacob insists as Leah's wolf looks at Charles, Quinton raises him so the wolf can see her imprint.
Bella throws a punch and Jacob grunts in pram.
"Stop here, Edward," Esme instructs.
"He said it's fine," Edward shrugs.
"She's great, huh?" Rayne muses.
"Do you remember how much you wanted to be around me three days ago?" Jacob asks the newborn. "That's goner now, right?"
"Long gone!" Bella replies.
"Because it was her," Jacob claims. "From the beginning it was Nessie who wanted me there."
"Nessie?!" Bella roars and Rayne grimaces as Quinton tries to keep Charles from crying. "You nicknamed my daughter after the Loch Ness Monster?!"
She walks toward Jacob threateningly and Seth goes to protect him, but Bella throws Seth's wolf against a tree. Rayne speeds over and she kneels beside the boy.
"Seth?!"
"Seth, I'm sorry," Bella says quickly to the pained wolf.
"He'll be alright," Jacob says as Seth lays his snout on Rayne's lap that's coveted in black yoga pants.
Jacob turns from Seth and Rayne, and toward Vella. "Bella, you know me better than anyone. All I want for Ness.... Renesme is for her to be safe. Happy. Look, nothing ever made sense before. You, me, any of it. And now I under stand. This is why."
....
"My turn," Rosalie chirps as she approaches the new mom.
"Where does she sleep?" Bella asks as she hands Ness to Rose.
"In my arms, Rayne's with Charles, or Edward's or Esme," Rosalie replies.
Rayne looks at the mermaid necklace the Volturi sent her for her birthday. Caius that he'd be sweet and send her a birthday present but it chills her to think they think about her. That they still want her. Carlisle insisted she not think too much about it.
