Thirst wasn't even on my mind when I leaned forward trying to get her eyes to focus.

"Bella?" Jacob asked slightly shaking her, they two of us tried to resuscitate her but nothing was working.

"Jacob take the baby," Edward pleaded as he wrapped the bloody baby in a towel.

Jake practically spat in his face, "Keep that away from me!"

I looked at my brother, his face was pleading with me, Reluctantly I took the baby in my hands, "I'm okay," I kept repeating more to myself as the smell his my nose. I took the baby out of the room leaving they two of them to tend to Bella. Bringing Renesmee to the bathroom to clean her off.

"She's beautiful," Rosalie's voice cooed behind me, I looked at her frightened but ready to protect the child, "I'm okay Cate, I promise, let me," she offered.

I nodded, letting her take over. The smell was intoxicating. Everyone else had broken down; Emmett, Jasper, and Alice when the blood bags were used, Rosalie when she got Bella's blood on her hand. Now it was my turn. I couldn't be in there anymore, I tapped out.

"Cate are you-" I ignored Alice as I covered my nose and ran outside.

The air was refreshing, I took deep breaths as if I'd just run a mile. Then Jake ran out sitting on the floor by me, he curled up and started crying. I brought him to me and let him cry on my shoulder. I guess we knew what happened.

"She didn't make it," Seth whispered.

We stayed like that for a moment, when suddenly Jake stopped shaking. He looked up at me and got to his feet. I saw there was no emotion in his eyes. And sucked in a breath.

"Not good."

I followed him, trying for his hand, to pull him back. Keep him from making a big mistake. He avoided my grip walking through the house, trying to find the baby.

We found them in the living room, Jake walked slowly trying not to catch Rosalie's attention. I tried to stay quiet just so we wouldn't startle the baby. I finally grabbed Jake's hand and he froze. The look in his eye when he saw Renesmee. I knew that look. It was the look I got when Paul first saw me.

It's hard to tell what came first, relief or fear. Relief that I knew at least to the wolves she would be safe. Fear of what would happen when the others found out. Either way, I knew Jacob was no longer any danger to her, so I was able to relax a degree enough to leave him there. He was frozen to his spot just watching her.

Then I could hear the thumping. They were coming.

"Cate! Alice! Jasper!" Edward yelled for us.

The four of us stood in the backyard as the thumping got nearer, "We're outnumbered," Jasper spoke.

"By a lot."

"I won't let them hurt my family," Edward told us.

I caught Paul's eyes among the number of wolves and frowned. I signaled Seth and Leah and shifted. Of course it was Sam who initiated the attack. They pounced on us with precision. Having to fight the people I considered family was painful. I had a Quill and Embry on me alone. I knew they couldn't kill me, they were just trying to incapacitate me enough to where I couldn't fight anymore. I may be stronger now but two against one was still shitty odds.

They had me pinned...then suddenly they were off me. Emmett checked on me protectively before returning to the fight. I looked around and saw Carlisle and Esme back as well. Seth and Leah had also joined. Now we had the upper hand.

We formed a small barrier between them and the house, trying to keep them as far away from the door as possible. Then Jacob came bustling out, "Stop! It's over!" Sam tried to get around him but he stood in his way, "If you kill her you kill me!"

Sam shoved Jacob out of the way only for him to phase and start roaring at them. I watched Edward's face as he realized what Jacob had done.

"Jacob imprinted. They can't hurt her. She can't be harmed, it's their most sacred law."

I smirked as Sam gave a dirty look and slowly retreated. The others followed, only Paul remained. Sam turned and I could only assume he was telling Paul to come. I couldn't hear them anymore, but by the growls coming from them I could tell they were arguing. Finally Sam huffed, turning and leaving them behind.

Paul turned and trotted over to me, the others hissed protectively, "I'm sorry. For everything."

I looked at him shocked. I could hear him. I looked over at Jacob, "Can you-"

"Yes. I can."

Paul licked my face and I snorted in laughter, then looked at Edward questioningly, "Are you okay with this?"

He watched the both of us, and knowing there was no more danger...he nodded.

~

Paul didn't leave again. He stayed with us, and it took some adjusting but everyone did their best. We'd finally all gone hunting and I felt ten times better already. Then the girls and I cleaned up Bella. Her heart was feint but she wasn't dead. We could only hope that Edward had gotten to her in time. We brushed her hair, put some clothes on her, and shut her eyes. Now we wait.

It took around two days. But slowly we noticed the change happening, her hair, her face, her bones snapping back into place. I wondered if she was going through any pain like I did, she looked so peaceful. Then we heard her heart stop. I clutched Paul's arm tightly. Edward was in the room with her when she opened her eyes. We could hear their exchange as she took a minute to adjust, then she scared us by saying she wanted to see Renesmee.

My eyes flashed to the infant in Rosalie's arms, no way in hell we were gonna let her near the baby without feeding. We heard them leave and I felt relieved.

Paul rubbed my shoulders reassuringly, "Relax. She won't hurt her own baby."

"You never know. The thirst brings out the worst in everybody," I told him.

Emmett nodded, "Just look at you; a raging bitch the entire time," he joked.

I gave him a small growl but everyone else laughed, Paul kissed my temple chuckling, "Watch yourself," I threatened before loosing the the battle and laughing a long with them. I knew I was a pain when I was thirsty. But I was trying to protect Renesmee.

We heard them coming back soon after, Jacob suggested he test her out before throwing her in a room with the baby. We all laughed and let him go greet them, watching him never leave the baby's side was funny. I recall once he said imprints never belonged to themselves, well who's laughing now?

Rosalie and I played with the baby while we waited for Bella to come inside. We've all grown so attached to her but I think the most unlikely friendship that emerged through this was how close Emmett got with Paul. The two of them immediately started joking around and hanging out like old friends, watching it made me ecstatic.

Upon hearing Jacob come back we separated so Bella could see her daughter. She smiled in awe when she saw us for the first time in her new form.

"You look amazing Bella," Alice praised.

I snorted, "And she's not just saying that because she picked out the outfit."

"Someone's been waiting to meet you," Carlisle smiled clearing the way for Rosalie to introduce Bella.

Even thought she was only days old, Renesmee looked about a few months, already rocking a head of hair. She even had Bella's human eyes. She was adorable. Clearly her appearance startled Bella when she saw her, she watched her carefully as she was placed into her arms. Renesmee put her hand on Bella's cheek to communicate with her.

I remember the first time she talked to me with her gift, she'd put her hand to my cheek and showed me her memory of me when I'd cleaned her up after she was born. I was so nervous being around her, my thirst was painful and I kept trying to distract myself. But she was calm, she felt safe with me.

"What was that?" Bella asked when Renesmee removed her hand.

"She showed you the first memory she has of you," Edward explained.

Bella's eyes never left her child's, "Showed me? How?"

I shrugged, "I guess we're just a family full of people with extra talents."

"I've only been out for two days?" She confirmed noticing how big the baby was.

Carlisle nodded, "Her growth rate is unprecedented."

Paul rejoined me smiling and we both stifled laughter when Jacob, who was clearly uncomfortable, tried to take Renesmee from Bella, "All right. That's enough experimenting for one day," he claimed.

Edward frowned, "Jacob, she's doing great."

"Yeah," he agreed, "Let's not push it though," he sputtered trying to pry the baby from her mother.

"What's your problem?" She snapped annoyed at him for ruining her moment with her baby.

Rosalie looked over at me and Paul smirking with us, she nudged Jake playfully, "Do tell her Jacob!" She teased.

Emmett wiggled his shoulders, "This should be good," he extended his fist to Paul who chuckled giving him a fist-bump.

Edward took the baby from Bella who zeroed in on Jake angrily, Jacob was terrified on how she would take it. His voice cracked as he started with, "It's a wolf thing."

"What's a wolf thing?" She pressed.

Jake looked over at us to help him but we all let him tell her alone, "You know we have no control over it. We can't choose who it happens with. And it doesn't mean what you think, Bella. I promise, it's nothing like-" he glanced at me and Paul who was shaking with laughter.

"Take Renesmee out of the room," she ordered. Edward tried to calm her but she wasn't having it, "Edward, don't touch me right now. I don't wanna hurt you," I snorted, she snapped her eyes at me threateningly but I ignored it. She may be the strongest vampire but I was still the stronger species. Besides, she was mad at Jacob, not me. She grabbed him by the neck and escorted him outside, throwing him off the porch, "You imprinted on my daughter?!"

"It wasn't my choice!" He defended.

"She's a baby!"

"It's not like that! You think Edward would let me live if it was?" He fought.

We all watched from behind her, Edward leaned comfortably against the railing, "I'm still debating that."

Bella slowly stalked down the patio steps, "I've held her once! One time Jacob! And already you think that you have some moronic wolfy claim on her? She's MINE-" she punched him in the stomach sending him back a few feet.

Seth and Leah appeared in their wolf forms, ready to defend our Alpha. Leah growled defensively, "It's fine Leah," Jacob told her.

"You're gonna stay away from her," Bella threatened.

"You know I can't do that," he told her only for her to send another blow, this time to his chest.

Esme watched sadly, "Stop her Edward."

"He said it's fine," Edward shrugged, "She's amazing right?" He smiled.

Slowly Jacob got to his feet, "Remember how much it hurt Cate to be away from Paul?" The two of us looked at each other and he brought me closer to his chest, "They need each other. But this is different. Remember how much you wanted to be around me three days ago? That's gone now right?"

"Long gone," Bella snapped.

"Because it was her. From the beginning it was Nessie who wanted me there."

"Oh no. Wrong move."

"Nessie?" She looked infuriated, "You nicknamed my daughter after the ?" She advanced on him but Seth jumped in the way; instinctually Bella grabbed him and tossed him aside. Seth hit a tree and I heard a snap. Immediately Jake, Leah, Paul and I ran to his aid, but he got to his feet and brushed us aside. Realizing what she'd done, Bella looked horrified.

"Are you okay?" Jake asked.

He whined a bit but still got to his feet, Bella looked at him guilty, "Seth I'm sorry," she quickly apologized.

Leah stood by her brother's side, licking his face and growling lowly at Bella. Jake turned to face Bella again while Paul and I sat at the stairs, "Bella, you know me better than anyone. All I want is for Ness...Renesmee to be safe, happy. Look, nothing ever made sense before. You, me, any of it. And now I understand why. This was the reason."

Finally she sighed, I guess that was her way of accepting the inevitable.

~

That night while Edward and Bella got some time with Renesmee the rest of us went to finish Bella's birthday present. I thought it was adorable they were getting their own little cottage. The style was exactly the way I liked it, homey but rustic. We all walked back as a group. Paul happily chatting with Emmett while Rosalie and I debated who would hold her first when we got home. I would get the first shift, so I happily extended my arms when I entered the living room.

"Aunt Cate's turn!" I beamed when Bella carefully put her in my arms. Renesmee cooed when she saw me.

"Where does she sleep?" Bella asked stroking her head.

Rosalie smiled at the baby, "In my arms, or Cate's. Literally anyone who wants to hold her," we laughed softly.

Alice waltzed in, "Happy birthday!"

Bella looked at her confused, "I stopped aging three days ago."

"Well we're celebrating anyway. So suck it up," she told her showing her the old key to their new cottage.

I laughed, "I already claimed it as mine if you don't like it."

We let them have a night to themselves. At around two, Rosalie relieved me of baby duty so Paul and I could relax in my room.

"What about now?" He asked stroking my arm as we lay in my bed.

I looked up at him confused, "What are you talking about?"

"Well, everything's fine now. Why don't we...get married?" My eyes widened, I wasn't expecting that. He saw the look on my face, "You don't want to?"

"No!" I froze, "I mean yes. I want to, more than anything," I promised wrapping my hand in his.

"But?"

I sighed, "Things are just starting to calm down now. Think we can just...stay like this? For a bit?"

He smiled, kissing my hand, "You already know I would do anything for you."

"I love you," I kissed his nose.

He grabbed my face between his hands, "I love you." He kissed my lips.