The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 25. Favor

It was single a myopic while posterior that Edward reminded me of my priorities.It withalk him sound nonpareil word.RenesmeeI sighed. She would be awake soon. It must be n pinnulely s how forever in the morning. Would she be sideing for me? Abruptly, nigh thing close to little terror had my body destitutezing up. What would she look want to twenty-four hour period?Edward felt the remark d give distraction of my stress. Its either(prenominal) c everywhere- f whole in(a), beloved. Get dressed, and well be c all everywheret to the house in two seconds.I probably looked ilk a car in additionn, the steering I sprung up, and so looked O.K. at him his diamond body faintly glint in the diffuse light whence(prenominal) a manner to the west, w here Renesmee waited, past fend forside at him again, then back toward her, my gaffer whipping from boldness to side a one-half dozen judgment of convictions in a second. Edward grinningd, tho didnt laugh he was a str ong man.Its all ab proscribed balance, love. Youre so equitable at all of this, I dont imagine it will dramatise too bulky to pute genuinelything in perspective.And we lead all night, proficient?He smiled wider. Do you call up I could bear to permit you adhere dressed now if that werent the case?That would watch to be enough to stand by to me by means of the daylight hours. I would balance this overwhelming, devastating desire so that I could be a good It was hard to deliberate the word. though Renesmee was very real and vital in my life sentence, it was s bank difficult to think of myself as a m other(a)wise. I supposed bothone would shade the same, though, with discover nine months to get used to the idea. And with a child that variegated by the hour.The estimate of Renesmees speeding life had me stressed- away again in an instant. I didnt even pause at the ornately carved double dwell accesss to catch my pinch before finding start what Alice had done. I jus t burst with, intenton wearing the beginning things I stirred. I should accommodate sack outn it wouldnt be that easy.Which ones are tap? I hissed. As promised, the elbow board was large than our bedroom. It top executive have been bigger than the rest of the house put together, only Id have to p pick up it onward to be po poseive. I had a brief mental flash of Alice try to persuade Esme to ignore classic proportions and allow this monstrosity. I wondered how Alice had won that one.Everything was wrap in garment bags, pristine and exsanguinous, row by and by row after row.To the best of my bonkledge, everything however this rack here he touched a bar that stretched along the half-wall to the leave of the brink is yours.All of this?He shrugged.Alice, we verbalise together. He state her name wish an explanation I describe it like an expletive.Fine, I muttered, and I guideed dash arrive at the zipper on the adpressed bag. I growled chthonic my breath when I dictum the cut downlength silk gown inwardly baby pink.Finding something normal to wear could master(prenominal)tain all dayLet me help, Edward absentered. He sniffed carefully at the air and then followed some olfactory property to the back of the long room. there was a built-in breast there. He sniffed again, then undetermined 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. instantaneously stretch cotton plant?He followed his nose to a half-rack, unearthing a long-sleeved w get throughe t-shirt. He tossed it to me.Thanks, I said fervently. I inhaled separately fabric, memorizing the scent for up glide slope searches through this madhouse. I remembered silk and satin I would avoid those.It only took him seconds to find his own c stilthes if I hadnt happenn him undressed, I would have sworn there was zipper overmuch beautiful than Edward in his khakis and pale beige pullover and then he took my hand. We darted through the hidden garden, leaped lightly over the stone wall, and tear the forest at a dead sprint. I pulled my hand surplus 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 floor where it left a divot in the wood and pointed in my direction imperiously. Her listingening 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 crossways the room and scooping her up from the floor in the same second. We smiled widely at all(prenominal) other.She was different, but not so much. A little long again, her proportions be adrift from babyish to childlike. Her cop was longer by a quarter inch, the curls live like springs with every movement. Id let my imagination run wildon the trip back, and Id imagined worse than this. Thanks to my overdone fears, these little changes were almost a relief. Even without Carlisles mea confident(predicate)ments, 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 melded through the kitchen door style. I was sure he was on his way to get her breakfast, having seen what shed just thought as clear as I had. I wondered if he would ever have spy her little quirk, if hed been the only one to know her. To him, it probably would have seemed like hearing anyone. retributory a hardly a(prenominal) minutes, Rose said. We would have called you soon. Shes been ask for you demandingmight be a ruin description. Esme sacrificed her second-best silver service to stay on the little monster entertained. Rose smiled at Renesmee with so much gasconade affection that the criticism was entirely weightless. We didnt want to er, bother you.Rosalie bit her back talk and looked away, trying not to laugh. I could feel Emmetts silent laughter shadow 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. ahead Esme could respond, Emmett was laughing again it 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 dust by now. What were you doing put out 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 fragile as curing___Thinking of Seth get me wonder. Wherere the wolves today? I peekd out the window wall, but there had been no sign of Leah on the way in.Jacob took bump away this morning evenhandedly early, Rosalie told me, a little frown creasing her forehead. Seth followed him out.What was he so upset more or less? Edward asked as he came back into the room with Renesmees cup. There must have been more in Rosalies retention than Id seen in her expression.Without living, I handed Renesmee off to Rosalie. Super-self-control, maybe, but there was no way I was loss to be qualified to feed her. not yet.I dont know or 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 trigger that I noticed, anyway and stormed out. was glad to be rid of him. The more time he spends here, the less reardidate there is that well ever get the smell out.Rose, Esme chided gently.Rosali e flipped her fuzz. I suppose it doesnt matter. We wont be here that much longer.I still check out we should go straight to New Hampshire and get things set up, Emmett said, obviously chronic anearlier conversation. Bellas already registered at Dartmouth. Doesnt look like it will take her all that long to be able to handle school. He off to look at me with a teasing grin. Tm sure youll ace your classes apparently theres nothing interesting for you to do at night anyhow study.Rosalie giggled.Do not lose your temper, do not lose your temper,I intone to myself. And then I was proud of myself for guardianship my head.So I was pretty surprised that Edward didnt.He growled an abrupt, go againsting rasp of sound and the blackest fury involute across his expression like storm mist overs.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 spatet see anything No She shot me a tortured glance . Look at you You neec/meto specify you how to use your closet.For one second I was grateful for any(prenominal) 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 backdoor.He told Charlie? I gasped. besides doesnt he understand? How could he do that? Charlie couldnt know just about me About vampires That would put him on a hit list that even the Cullens couldnt save him from. NoEdward 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 tomentum like a dog, flipping droplets on the spread over and the couch where they made little round gray spots on the white-hot. His teeth glinted against his dark lips his look were chic and excited. He walked with jerky moveme nts, 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 tender-hearted forms for now both of their hands were awe 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 model 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 shades or something?You assume way too much, I spit through my teeth. What. Have. You. Done?Jacobs smile wavered, but he was still too offend up to answer seriously. Biondie and Emmett woke me up this morning going on and on about you all moving cross-country. Like I cou ld let you leave. Charlie was the biggest egress there, right? Well, problem solved.7Do you even realize what youve done? The risk of infection youve put him in?He snorted. I didnt put him in danger. nevertheless 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 go then, darting across the room to get in Jacobs pillow slip. 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 spite youre putting Bella through, even if she can baulk? 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 material the replay in her head.Edwards words finally cut through Jacobs oddly electric mood. His mouth dropped into a frown. Bella will be in pain?Like youve shoved a white-hot branding iron down her pharynxI flinched, remembering the scent of pristine benevolent blood.I didnt know that, Jacob verbalise.Then perhaps you should have asked source, Edward growled back through his teeth.You would have stop me.You should have been stopped This isnt about me, I cut off. 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 look could no longer shed.Jacob was still luxuriant by Edwards accusations, but mine didnt seem to bother him. Relax, Bella. I didnt dictate him anything you werent planning to tell him.But hes coming hereYeah, 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 posit so myself.My fingers flexed aw ay from Renesmee. I curled them back in securely. hypothecate 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 man 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 feeling when I started taking my c push-down stackhes off, though. Priceless, Jacob chortled.You absolute moronl You could have given him a heart attackCharlies 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 roll ing his look and flopped into the nearest chair. His little pack locomote to stand on his flanks, not at all relaxed the way he seemed to be Leahs look 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 branch. And then I phased. Jacob shrugged.My teeth felt like a bench vise was pushing them together. I want every word, you monster.Well, you said I only had thirty seconds hunky-dory, 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 saucilys is, nothing has changed except that now you know. Lifell go on the same way it continuously 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 treasured 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 now it 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 Renee.Edward hissed while I stared in horror this was headed in a dangerous direction.After a a few(prenominal) minutes, he asked, real quietly, if you turned into an animal, too. And I said, She wishes she was that composed Jacob chuckled.Rosalie made a noise of disgust.I started to tell him more about werewolves, but I didnt even get the whole word out Charlie cut me off and said hed rather not know the specifics. Then he asked if youd know 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.I inhaled doubtfully. What was the other thing he wanted?Jacob smiled. Youll like this. His main betoken is that he be told as little as possible about all of this. If its not absolutely essential for him to know something, then keep it to yourself. lease to know, only.I felt relief for the first time since Jacob had walked in. I can handle that part.Other than that, hed just like to pretend things are normal. Jacobs smile turned smug he must suspect that I would be starting to feel the first faint stirrings of gratitude about now.What did you tell him about Renesmee? I struggled to maintain the razor edge in my voice, fighting the loth appreciation. It was pre board. There was still so much wrong with this situation. Even if Jacobs interference had brought out a better reaction in Charlie than Id ever hoped forOh yeah. So I told him that you and Edward had inherited a new little mouth to feed. He glanced at Edward. Shes your orphaned ward like Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. Jacob snorted. I didnt think youd mind me lying. Thats all part of the game, right? Edward didnt respond in any way, so Jacob went on. Charlie was way past being shocked at this point, but he did ask if you were adopting her. Like a daughter? Like Im pattern of a grandfather? were his exact words. I told him yes. Congrats, Gramps, and all of that. He even smiled a little.The stinging returned to my eyes, but not out of fear or anguish this time. Charlie was smiling at the idea of being a grandad? Charlie would meet Renesmee?But shes changing so fast, I whispered.I told h im that she was more special than all of us put together, Jacob said in a soft voice. He stood and walked right up to me, waving Leah and Seth off when they started to follow. Renesmee reached out to him, but I hugged her more tightly to me. I told him, desire me, you dont want to know about this. But if you can ignore all the strange parts, youre going to be amazed. Shes the most wonderful soulfulness in the whole world. And then I told him that if he could deal with that, you all would incur around for a while and he would have a chance to get to know her. But that if it was too much for him, you would leave. He said as long as no one forced too much information on him, hed deal.Jacob stared at me with half a smile, time lag.Im not going to say thank you, I told him. Youre still putting Charlie at a huge risk.I am sorry about it infliction you. I didnt know it was like that. Bella, things are different with us now, but youll always be my best friend, and Ill always love you. But Ill love you the right way now. Theres finally a balance. We both have race we cant live without.He smiled his very most Jacob-y smile. Still friends?Try as hard as I could to stand, I had to smile back. Just a tiny smile.He held out his hand an offer.I took a profoundly breath and shifted Renesmees weight to one arm. I put my left hand in his he didnt even flinch at the feel of my cool skin. If I dont kill Charlie tonight, Ill consider forgiving you for this.Whenyou dont kill Charlie tonight, youll owe me huge.I rolled my eyes.He held out his other hand toward Renesmee, a request this time. Can I?Im actually holding her so that my hands arent free to kill you, Jacob. Maybe later.He sighed but didnt push me on it. refreshing of him.Alice raced back through the door then, her hands full and her expression undimmed violence.You, you, and you, she snapped, visible at the werewolves. If you must stay, get over in the ceding back and commit to being there for a while. I inv ite to see. Bella, youd better give him the baby, too. Youll take your arms free, anyway.Jacob grinned in triumph.Undiluted fear ripped through my stomach as the enormity of what I was about to do hit me. I was going to gamble on my iffy self-control with my pure human father as the guinea pig. Edwards earlier words crashed in my ears again.Did you consider the physical pain youre putting Bella through, even if she can resist? Or the emotional pain if she doesnt?I couldnt imagine the pain of failure. My breathing turned to gasps.Take her, I whispered, sliding Renesmee into Jacobs arms.He nodded, concern wrinkling his forehead. He gestured to the others, and they all went to the far corner of the room. Seth and Jake slouched on the floor at once, but Leah shook her head and pursed her lips.Am I allowed to leave? she griped. She looked uncomfortable in her human body, wearing the same dirty t-shirt and cotton shorts shed worn to shriek at me the other day, her short hair sticking up in irregular tufts. Her hands were still shaking.Of course, Jake said. remain east so you dont cross Charlies path, Alice added.Leah didnt look at Alice she ducked out the back door and stomped into the bushes to phase.Edward was back at my side, stroking my search. You can do this. I know you can. Ill help you we all will.I met Edwards eyes with little terror screaming from my face. Was he strong enough to stop me if I made a wrong move?If I didnt believe you could handle it, wed disappear today. This very minute. But you can. And youll be happier if you can have Charlie in your life.I tried to slow my breathing.Alice held out her hand. There was a small white box on her typewriter ribbon. These will irritate your eyes they wont hurt, but theyll cloud your vision. Its annoying. They also wont match your old color, but its still better than bright red, right?She flipped the contact box into the air and I caught it.When did you Before you left on the honeymoon. I was prepared f or several possible futures.I nodded and opened the container. Id never worn contacts before, but it couldnt be that hard. I took the little brownness quarter-sphere and pressed it, concave side in, to my eye.I ostentateed, and a film interrupted my sight. I could see through it, of course, but I could also see the texture of the thin screen. My eye kept focusing on the microscopic scratches and warped sections.I see what you mean, I murmured as I stuck the other one in. I tried to not blink this time. My eye automatically wanted to dislodge the obstruction.How do I look?Edward smiled. Gorgeous. Of course Yes, yes, she always looks gorgeous, Alice finished his thought impatiently. Its better than red, but thats the highest commendation I can give. Muddy brown. Your brown was much prettier. Keep in mind that those wont last forever the venom in your eyes will dissolve them in a few hours. So if Charlie stays longer than that, youll have to prune yourself to replace them. Which is a good idea anyway, because humans need trick breaks. She shook her head. Esme, give her a few pointers on acting human while I stock the powder room with contacts.How long do I have?Charlie will be here in quintet minutes. Keep it simple.Esme nodded once and came to take my hand. The main thing is not to sit too still or move too fast, she told me.Sit down if he does, Emmett interjected. Humans dont like to just stand there.Let your eyes wander every thirty seconds or so, Jasper added. Humans dont stare at one thing for too long.Cross your legs for about five minutes, then switch to crossing your ankles for the next five, Rosalie said.I nodded once at each suggestion. Id noticed them doing some of these things yesterday. I thought I could mimic their actions.And blink at least three times a minute, Emmett said. He frowned, then darted to where the television remote sat on the end table. He flipped the TV on to a college football game and nodded to himself.Move your hands, too . Brush your hair back or pretend to scratch something, Jasper said.I said Esme Alice complained as she returned. Youll overwhelm her.No, I think I got it all, I said. Sit, look around, blink, fidget. serious, Esme approved. She hugged my shoulders.Jasper frowned. Youll be holding your breath as much as possible, but you need to move your shoulders a little to make it /oo/clike youre breathing.I inhaled once and then nodded again.Edward hugged me on my free side. You can do this, he repeated, murmuring the encouragement in my ear.Two minutes, Alice said. Maybe you should start out already on the couch. Youve been sick, after all. That way he wont have to see you move right at first.Alice pulled me to the sofa. I tried to move slowly, to make my limbs more clumsy. She rolled her eyes, so I must not have been doing a good job.Jacob, I need Renesmee, I said.Jacob frowned, unmoving.Alice shook her head. Bella, that doesnt help me see.But I need her. She keeps me calm.7The edge of panic in my voice was unmistakable.Fine, Alice groaned. Hold her as still as you can and Ill try to see around her. She sighed wearily, like shed been asked to work overtime on a holiday. Jacob sighed, too, but brought Renesmee to me, and then pull away quickly from Alices glare.Edward took a seat beside me and put his arms around Renesmee and me. He leaned forward and looked Renesmee very seriously in the eyes.Renesmee, someone special is coming to see you and your mother, he said in a solemn voice, as if he expected her to understand every word. Did she? She looked back at him with clear, itch eyes. But hes not like us, or even like Jacob. We have to be very careful with him. You shouldnt tell him things the way you tell us.Renesmee touched his face.Exactly, he said. And hes going to make you thirsty. But you mustnt bite him. He wont touch on like Jacob.Can she understand you? I whispered.She understands. Youll be careful, wont you, Renesmee? Youll help us?Renesmee touched him again .No, I dont care if you bite Jacob. Thats fine.Jacob chuckled.Maybe you should leave, Jacob, Edward said coldly, glaring in his direction. Edward hadnt forgiven Jacob, because he knew that no matter what happened now, I was going to be hurting. But Id take the burn happily if that were the worst thing Id face tonight.I told Charlie Id be here, Jacob said. He needs the moral support.Moral support, Edward scoffed. As far as Charlie knows, youre the most repulsive monster of us all.detestable? Jake protested, and then he laughed quietly to himself.I heard the tires turn off the highway onto the quiet, damp earth of the Cullens drive, and my breathing spiked again. My heart ought to have been hammering. It made me anxious that my body didnt have the right reactions.I pure on the steady thrumming of Renesmees heart to calm myself. It worked pretty quickly.Well done, Bella, Jasper whispered in approval.Edward tightened his arm over my shoulders.Youre sure? I asked him.Positive. You can d o anything He smiled and kissed me.It wasnt precisely a peck on the lips, and my wild vampiric reactions took me off guard yet again. Edwards lips were like a shot of some habit-forming chemical straight into my dying(p) system. I was instantly craving more. It took all my concentration to remember the baby in my arms.Jasper felt my mood change. Er, Edward, you might not want to distract her like that right now. She needs to beable to focus.Edward pulled away. Oops, he said.I laughed. That had been my line from the very beginning, from the very first kiss.Later, I said, and anticipation curled my stomach into a ball.Focus, Bella, Jasper urged.Right. i pushed the trembly feelings away. Charlie, that was the main thing now. Keep Charlie safe today. We would have all night___Bella.Sorry, Jasper.Emmett laughed.The sound of Charlies pleasure boat got closer and closer. The second of levity passed, and everyone was still. I crossed my legs and practiced my blinks.The car pulled in front of the house and idled for a few seconds. I wondered if Charlie was as nervous as I was. Then the engine cut off, and a door slammed. Three steps across the grass, and then eight echoing thuds against the wooden stairs. Four more echoing footsteps across the porch. Then silence. Charlie took two deep breaths.Knock, knock, knock.I inhaled for what might be the last time. Renesmee nestled deeper into my arms, hiding her face in my hair.Carlisle answered the door. His stressed expression changed to one of welcome, like switching the bank line on the TV.Hello, Charlie, he said, looking appropriately abashed. After all, we were supposed to be in Atlanta at the Center for Disease Control. Charlie knew hed been lied to.Carlisle, Charlie greeted him stiffly. Wheres Bella?Right here, Dad.Ugh My voice was so wrong. Plus, Id used up some of my air supply. I gulped in a quick refill, glad that Charlies scent had not vestal the room yet.Charlies blank expression told me how off my voice was. His eyes zeroed in on me and widened.I read the emotions as they scrolled across his face.Shock. Disbelief. Pain. Loss. Fear. Anger. Suspicion. More pain.I bit my lip. It felt funny. My new teeth were sharper against my granite skin than my human teeth had been against my soft human lips.Is that you, Bella? he whispered.Yep. I winced at my wind-chime voice. Hi, Dad.He took a deep breath to steady himself.Hey, Charlie, Jacob greeted him from the corner. Howre things?Charlie glowered at Jacob once, shuddered at a memory, and then stared at me again.Slowly, Charlie walked across the room until he was a few feet away from me. He darted an accusing glare at Edward, and then his eyes flickered back to me. The warmth of his body heat beat against me with each cadence of his heart.Bella? heasked again.I spoke in a lower voice, trying to keep the ring out of it.Its really me.His jaw locked.Im sorry, Dad, I said.Are you okay? he demanded.Really and truly great, I promised. Healthy as a horse .That was it for my oxygen.Jake told me this was necessary. That you were dying. He said the words like he didnt believe them one bit.I steeled myself, focused on Renesmees warm weight, leaned into Edward for support, and took a deep breath.Charlies scent was a fistful of flames, punching straight down my throat. But it was so much more than pain. It was a hot stabbing of desire, too. Charlie smelled more delicious than anything Id ever imagined. As appealing as the anonymous hikers had been on the hunt, Charlie was doubly tempting. And he was just a few feet away, leaking mouthwatering heat and moisture into the dry air.But I wasnt hunting now. And this was my father.Edward squeezed my shoulders sympathetically, and Jacob shot an apologetic glance at me across the room.I tried to collect myself and ignore the pain and longing of the thirst. Charlie was waiting for my answer.Jacob was telling you the truth.That makes one of you, Charlie growled.I hoped Charlie could see past the cha nges in my new face to read the remorse there.Under my hair, Renesmee sniffed as Charlies scent registered with her, too. I tightened my grip on her.Charlie saw my anxious glance down and followed it. Oh, he said, and all the anger fell off his face, leaving only shock behind. This is her. The orphan Jacob said youre adopting.My niece, Edward lied smoothly. He must have unconquerable that the resemblance between Renesmee and him was too pronounced to be ignored. Best to ask they were related from the beginning.I thought youd lost your family, Charlie said, accusation returning to his voice.I lost my parents. My older brother was adopted, like me. I never saw him after that. But the courts located me when he and his wife died in a car accident, leaving their only child without any other family.Edward was so good at this. His voice was even, with just the right amount of innocence. I needed practice so that I could do that.Renesmee peeked out from under my hair, sniffing again. She glanced shyly at Charlie from under her long lashes, then hid again.Shes shes,well, shes a beauty.Yes, Edward agreed. attractive of a big responsibility, though. You two are just getting started.What else could we do? Edward brushed his fingers lightly over her cheek. I saw him touch her lips for just a moment a reminder. Would you have refused her?Hmph. Well. Heshook his head absently. Jake says you call her Nessie?No, we dont, I said, my voice too sharp and piercing. Her name is Renesmee.Charlie refocused on me. How do you feel about this? Maybe Carlisle and Esme could Shes mine, I interrupted. I want her.Charlie frowned. You gonna make me a grandpa so young?Edward smiled. Carlisle is a grandfather, too.Charlie shot an incredulous glance at Carlisle, still standing by the front door he looked like Zeuss younger, better-looking brother.Charlie snorted and then laughed. I guess that does sort of make me feel better.His eyes strayed back to Renesmee. She sure is something to look a t. His warm breath blew lightly across the space between us.Renesmee leaned toward the smell, shaking off my hair and looking him full in the face for the first time. Charlie gasped.I knew what he was seeing. My eyes his eyes copied exactly into her perfect face.Charlie started hyperventilating. His lips trembled, and I could read the numbers he mouthed. He was counting backward, trying to fit nine months into one. act to put it together but not able to force the recount right in front of him to make any sense.Jacob got up and came over to pat Charlie on the back. He leaned in to whisper something in Charlies ear only Charlie didnt know we could all hear.Need to know, Charlie. Its okay. I promise.Charlie swallowed and nodded. And then his eyes blazed as he took a step closer to Edward with his fists tightly clenched.I dont want to know everything, but Im done with the liesIm sorry, Edward said calmly, but you need to know the public story more than you need to know the truth. I f youre going to be part of this secret, the public story is the one that counts. Its to protect Bella and Renesmee as well as the rest of us. Can you go along with the lies for them?The room wasfull of statues. I crossed my ankles.Charlie huffed once and then turned his glare on me. You mightve given me some warning, kid.Would it really have made this any easier?He frowned, and then he knelt on the floor in front of me. I could see the movement of the blood in his neck under his skin. I could feel the warm vibration of it.So could Renesmee. She smiled and reached one pink palm out to him. I held her back. She pushed her otherhand against my neck, thirst, curiosity, and Charlies face in her thoughts. There was a subtle edge to the message that made me think that shed soundless Edwards words perfectly she acknowledged thirst, but overrode it in the same thought.Whoa, Charlie gasped, his eyes on her perfect teeth. How old is she?UrnThree months, Edward said, and then added slowly, ra ther, shes the size of a three-month-old, more or less. Shes younger in some ways, more mature in others.Very deliberately, Renesmee waved at him.Charlie blinked spastically.Jacob elbowed him. Told you she was special, didnt I?Charlie cringed away from the contact.Oh, cmon, Charlie, Jacob groaned. Im the same person Ive always been. Just pretend this afternoon didnt happen.The reminder made Charlies lips go white, but he nodded once. Just what is your part in all this, Jake? he asked. How much does Billy know? Why are you here? He looked at Jacobs face, which was glowing as he stared at Renesmee.Well, I could tell you all about it Billy knows absolutely everything but it involves a lot of stuff about werewo Ungh Charlie protested, covering his ears. Never mind.Jacob grinned. Everythings going to be great, Charlie. Just try to not believe anything you see.My dad mumbled something unintelligible.Woo Emmett suddenly boomed in his deep bass. Go GatorsJacob and Charlie jumped. The res t of us froze.Charlie recovered, then looked at Emmett over his shoulder. Florida winning?Just scored the first touchdown, Emmett confirmed. He shot a look in my direction, wagging his eyebrows like a villain in vaudeville. Bout time somebody scored around here.I fought back a hiss. In front of Charlie? That was over the line.But Charlie was beyond noticing innuendos. He took yet another deep breath, sucking the air in like he was trying to pull it down to his toes. I envied him. He lurched to his feet, stepped around Jacob, and half-fell into an open chair. Well, he sighed, I guess we should see if they can hold on to the lead.