Breaking Dawn

  Thats difficult to say. Everyone is different and, well, so far youre the very most different of all. The average young vampire is too obsessed with thirst to notice much else for a while. That doesnt seem to apply to you. With the average vampire, though, after that first year, other needs make themselves known. Neither thirst nor any other desire really ever fades. Its simply a matter of learning to balance them, learning to prioritize and manage. . . .

  How long?

  He smiled, wrinkling his nose a little. Rosalie and Emmett were the worst. It took a solid decade before I could stand to be within a five-mile radius of them. Even Carlisle and Esme had a difficult time stomaching it. They kicked the happy couple out eventually. Esme built them a house, too. It was grander than this one, but then, Esme knows what Rose likes, and she knows what you like.

  So, after ten years, then? I was pretty sure that Rosalie and Emmett had nothing on us, but it might sound cocky if I went higher than a decade. Everybody is normal again? Like they are now?

  Edward smiled again. Well, Im not sure what you mean by normal. Youve seen my family going about life in a fairly human way, but youve been sleeping nights. He winked at me. Theres a tremendous amount of time left over when you dont have to sleep. It makes balancing your interests quite easy. Theres a reason why Im the best musician in the family, whybesides CarlisleIve read the most books, studied the most sciences, become fluent in the most languages. Emmett would have you believe that Im such a know-it-all because of the mind reading, but the truth is that Ive just had a lot of free time.

  We laughed together, and the motion of our laughter did interesting things to the way our bodies were connected, effectively ending that conversation.

  25. FAVOR

  It was only a little while later that Edward reminded me of my priorities.

  It took him just one word.

  Renesmee . . .

  I sighed. She would be awake soon. It must be nearly seven in the morning. Would she be looking for me? Abruptly, something close to panic had my body freezing up. What would she look like today?

  Edward felt the total distraction of my stress. Its all right, love. Get dressed, and well be back to the house in two seconds.

  I probably looked like a cartoon, the way I sprung up, then looked back at himhis diamond body faintly glinting in the diffuse lightthen away to the west, where Renesmee waited, then back at him again, then back toward her, my head whipping from side to side a half dozen times in a second. Edward smiled, but didnt laugh; he was a strong man.

  Its all about balance, love. Youre so good at all of this, I dont imagine it will take too long to put everything in perspective.

  And we have all night, right?

  He smiled wider. Do you think I could bear to let you get dressed now if that werent the case?

  That would have to be enough to get me through the daylight hours. I would balance this overwhelming, devastating desire so that I could be a good It was hard to think the word. Though Renesmee was very real and vital in my life, it was still difficult to think of myself as a mother. I supposed anyone would feel the same, though, without nine months to get used to the idea. And with a child that changed by the hour.

  The thought of Renesmees speeding life had me stressed-out again in an instant. I didnt even pause at the ornately carved double doors to catch my breath before finding out what Alice had done. I just burst through, intent on wearing the first things I touched. I should have known it wouldnt be that easy.

  Which ones are mine? I hissed. As promised, the room was bigger than our bedroom. It might have been bigger than the rest of the house put together, but Id have to pace it off to be positive. I had a brief mental flash of Alice trying to persuade Esme to ignore classic proportions and allow this monstrosity. I wondered how Alice had won that one.

  Everything was wrapped in garment bags, pristine and white, row after row after row.

  To the best of my knowledge, everything but this rack herehe touched a bar that stretched along the half-wall to the left of the dooris yours.

  All of this?

  He shrugged.

  Alice, we said together. He said her name like an explanation; I said it like an expletive.

  Fine, I muttered, and I pulled down the zipper on the closest bag. I growled under my breath when I saw the floorlength silk gown insidebaby pink.

  Finding something normal to wear could take all day!

  Let me help, Edward offered. He sniffed carefully at the air and then followed some scent to the back of the long room. There was a built-in dresser there. He sniffed again, then opened a drawer. With a triumphant grin, he held out a pair of artfully faded blue jeans.

  I flitted to his side. How did you do that?

  Denim has its own scent just like anything else. Now stretch cotton?

  He followed his nose to a half-rack, unearthing a long-sleeved white t-shirt. He tossed it to me.

  Thanks, I said fervently. I inhaled each fabric, memorizing the scent for future searches through this madhouse. I remembered silk and satin; I would avoid those.

  It only took him seconds to find his own clothesif I hadnt seen him undressed, I would have sworn there was nothing more beautiful than Edward in his khakis and pale beige pulloverand then he took my hand. We darted through the hidden garden, leaped lightly over the stone wall, and hit the forest at a dead sprint. I pulled my hand free so that we could race back. He beat me this time.

  Renesmee was awake; she was sitting up on the floor with Rose and Emmett hovering over her, playing with a little pile of twisted silverware. She had a mangled spoon in her right hand. As soon as she spied me through the glass, she chucked the spoon on the floorwhere it left a divot in the woodand pointed in my direction imperiously. Her audience laughed; Alice, Jasper, Esme, and Carlisle were sitting on the couch, watching her as if she were the most engrossing film.

  I was through the door before their laughter had barely begun, bounding across the room and scooping her up from the floor in the same second. We smiled widely at each other.

  She was different, but not so much. A little longer again, her proportions drifting from babyish to childlike. Her hair was longer by a quarter inch, the curls bouncing like springs with every movement. Id let my imagination run wild on the trip back, and Id imagined worse than this. Thanks to my overdone fears, these little changes were almost a relief. Even without Carlisles measurements, I was sure the changes were slower than yesterday.

  Renesmee patted my cheek. I winced. She was hungry again.

  How long has she been up? I asked as Edward disappeared through the kitchen doorway. I was sure he was on his way to get her breakfast, having seen what shed just thought as clearly as I had. I wondered if he would ever have noticed her little quirk, if hed been the only one to know her. To him, it probably would have seemed like hearing anyone.

  Just a few minutes, Rose said. We would have called you soon. Shes been asking for youdemanding might be a better description. Esme sacrificed her second-best silver service to keep the little monster entertained. Rose smiled at Renesmee with so much gloating affection that the criticism was entirely weightless. We didnt want to er, bother you.

  Rosalie bit her lip and looked away, trying not to laugh. I could feel Emmetts silent laughter behind me, sending vibrations through the foundations of the house.

  I kept my chin high. Well get your room set up right away, I said to Renesmee. Youll like the cottage. Its magic. I look up at Esme. Thank you, Esme. So much. Its absolutely perfect.

  Before Esme could respond, Emmett was laughing againit wasnt silent this time.

  So its still standing? he managed to get out between his snickers. I wouldve thought you two had knocked it to rubble by now. What were you doing last night? Discussing the national debt? He howled with laughter.

  I gritted my teeth and reminded myself of the negative consequences when Id let my temper get away from me yesterday. Of course, Emmett wasnt as breakable as Seth. . . .

  Thin
king of Seth made me wonder. Wherere the wolves today? I glanced out the window wall, but there had been no sign of Leah on the way in.

  Jacob took off this morning pretty early, Rosalie told me, a little frown creasing her forehead. Seth followed him out.

  What was he so upset about? Edward asked as he came back into the room with Renesmees cup. There must have been more in Rosalies memory than Id seen in her expression.

  Without breathing, I handed Renesmee off to Rosalie. Super-self-control, maybe, but there was no way I was going to be able to feed her. Not yet.

  I dont knowor care, Rosalie grumbled, but she answered Edwards question more fully. He was watching Nessie sleep, his mouth hanging open like the moron he is, and then he just jumped to his feet without any kind of triggerthat I noticed, anywayand stormed out. I was glad to be rid of him. The more time he spends here, the less chance there is that well ever get the smell out.

  Rose, Esme chided gently.

  Rosalie flipped her hair. I suppose it doesnt matter. We wont be here that much longer.

  I still say we should go straight to New Hampshire and get things set up, Emmett said, obviously continuing an earlier conversation. Bellas already registered at Dartmouth. Doesnt look like it will take her all that long to be able to handle school. He turned to look at me with a teasing grin. Im sure youll ace your classes apparently theres nothing interesting for you to do at night besides study.

  Rosalie giggled.

  Do not lose your temper, do not lose your temper, I chanted to myself. And then I was proud of myself for keeping my head.

  So I was pretty surprised that Edward didnt.

  He growledan abrupt, shocking rasp of soundand the blackest fury rolled across his expression like storm clouds.

  Before any of us could respond, Alice was on her feet.

  What is he doing? What is that dog doing that has erased my schedule for the entire day? I cant see anything! No! She shot me a tortured glance. Look at you! You need me to show you how to use your closet.

  For one second I was grateful for whatever Jacob was up to.

  And then Edwards hands balled up into fists and he snarled, He talked to Charlie. He thinks Charlie is following after him. Coming here. Today.

  Alice said a word that sounded very odd in her trilling, ladylike voice, and then she blurred into motion, streaking out the back door.

  He told Charlie? I gasped. Butdoesnt he understand? How could he do that? Charlie couldnt know about me! About vampires! That would put him on a hit list that even the Cullens couldnt save him from. No!

  Edward spoke through his teeth. Jacobs on his way in now.

  It must have started raining farther east. Jacob came through the door shaking his wet hair like a dog, flipping droplets on the carpet and the couch where they made little round gray spots on the white. His teeth glinted against his dark lips; his eyes were bright and excited. He walked with jerky movements, like he was all hyped-up about destroying my fathers life.

  Hey, guys, he greeted us, grinning.

  It was perfectly silent.

  Leah and Seth slipped in behind him, in their human formsfor now; both of their hands were trembling with the tension in the room.

  Rose, I said, holding my arms out. Wordlessly, Rosalie handed me Renesmee. I pressed her close to my motionless heart, holding her like a talisman against rash behavior. I would keep her in my arms until I was sure my decision to kill Jacob was based entirely on rational judgment rather than fury.

  She was very still, watching and listening. How much did she understand?

  Charliell be here soon, Jacob said to me casually. Just a heads-up. I assume Alice is getting you sunglasses or something?

  You assume way too much, I spit through my teeth. What. Have. You. Done?

  Jacobs smile wavered, but he was still too wound up to answer seriously. Blondie and Emmett woke me up this morning going on and on about you all moving cross-country. Like I could let you leave. Charlie was the biggest issue there, right? Well, problem solved.

  Do you even realize what youve done? The danger youve put him in?

  He snorted. I didnt put him in danger. Except from you. But youve got some kind of supernatural self-control, right? Not as good as mind reading, if you ask me. Much less exciting.

  Edward moved then, darting across the room to get in Jacobs face. Though he was half a head shorter than Jacob, Jacob leaned away from his staggering anger as if Edward towered over him.

  Thats just a theory, mongrel, he snarled. You think we should test it out on Charlie? Did you consider the physical pain youre putting Bella through, even if she can resist? Or the emotional pain if she doesnt? I suppose what happens to Bella no longer concerns you! He spit the last word.

  Renesmee pressed her fingers anxiously to my cheek, anxiety coloring the replay in her head.

  Edwards words finally cut through Jacobs strangely electric mood. His mouth dropped into a frown. Bella will be in pain?

  Like youve shoved a white-hot branding iron down her throat!

  I flinched, remembering the scent of pure human blood.

  I didnt know that, Jacob whispered.

  Then perhaps you should have asked first, Edward growled back through his teeth.

  You would have stopped me.

  You should have been stopped

  This isnt about me, I interrupted. I stood very still, keeping my hold on Renesmee and sanity. This is about Charlie, Jacob. How could you put him in danger this way? Do you realize its death or vampire life for him now, too? My voice trembled with the tears my eyes could no longer shed.

  Jacob was still troubled by Edwards accusations, but mine didnt seem to bother him. Relax, Bella. I didnt tell him anything you werent planning to tell him.

  But hes coming here!

  Yeah, thats the idea. Wasnt the whole let him make the wrong assumptions thing your plan? I think I provided a very nice red herring, if I do say so myself.

  My fingers flexed away from Renesmee. I curled them back in securely. Say it straight, Jacob. I dont have the patience for this.

  I didnt tell him anything about you, Bella. Not really. I told him about me. Well, show is probably a better verb.

  He phased in front of Charlie, Edward hissed.

  I whispered, You what?

  Hes brave. Brave as you are. Didnt pass out or throw up or anything. I gotta say, I was impressed. You shouldve seen his face when I started taking my clothes off, though. Priceless, Jacob chortled.

  You absolute moron! You could have given him a heart attack!

  Charlies fine. Hes tough. If youd give this just a minute, youll see that I did you a favor here.

  You have half of that, Jacob. My voice was flat and steely. You have thirty seconds to tell me every single word before I give Renesmee to Rosalie and rip your miserable head off. Seth wont be able to stop me this time.

  Jeez, Bells. You didnt used to be so melodramatic. Is that a vampire thing?

  Twenty-six seconds.

  Jacob rolled his eyes and flopped into the nearest chair. His little pack moved to stand on his flanks, not at all relaxed the way he seemed to be; Leahs eyes were on me, her teeth slightly bared.

  So I knocked on Charlies door this morning and asked him to come for a walk with me. He was confused, but when I told him it was about you and that you were back in town, he followed me out to the woods. I told him you werent sick anymore, and that things were a little weird, but good. He was about to take off to see you, but I told him I had to show him something first. And then I phased. Jacob shrugged.

  My teeth felt like a vise was pushing them together. I want every word, you monster.

  Well, you said I only had thirty secondsokay, okay. My expression must have convinced him that I wasnt in the mood for teasing. Lemme see I phased back and got dressed, and then after he started breathing again, I said something like, Charlie, you dont live in the world you thought you lived in. The good news is, nothing has changedexcept that now you know. Lifell go o
n the same way it always has. You can go right back to pretending that you dont believe any of this.

  It took him a minute to get his head together, and then he wanted to know what was really going on with you, with the whole rare-disease thing. I told him that you had been sick, but you were fine nowit was just that youd had to change a little bit in the process of getting better. He wanted to know what I meant by change, and I told him that you looked a lot more like Esme now than you looked like Rene.

  Edward hissed while I stared in horror; this was headed in a dangerous direction.

  After a few minutes, he asked, real quietly, if you turned into an animal, too. And I said, She wishes she was that cool! Jacob chuckled.

  Rosalie made a noise of disgust.

  I started to tell him more about werewolves, but I didnt even get the whole word outCharlie cut me off and said hed rather not know the specifics. Then he asked if youd known what you were getting yourself into when you married Edward, and I said, Sure, shes known all about this for years, since she first came to Forks. He didnt like that very much. I let him rant till he got it out of his system. After he got calmed down, he just wanted two things. He wanted to see you, and I said it would be better if he gave me a head start to explain.