When Edward and Bella returned I was outside. Seth was next to me, neither of us were worried. But it did make Jasper fill better to know if she was under control.

"Hey Bella" I replied looking at the girl, woman, she was in Edwards grasp, though it was obvious she was the one worried and not Edward.

"hey, Alex and Seth... you're still here?"

"yeah... I am a part of Alex's pack..." he trailed off. I looked at Seth then back to Edward and Bella. Edward nodded.

"okay Bella, take a ... whiff. That sounds weird but you know what I mean"

I could see Bella look at Edward with a questioning expression, so I explained "it's safer for the little ones to make sure, I'm not that worried, but we want to take every precaution... and we kinda want you to get used to us since we smell different than the others"

I slowly took a step forward as not to alarm her, Seth was beside me but close enough that I could push him away if needed. I got close enough that she could feel the heat coming from my body. Nervously, she took in a tiny breath.

She took another breath and relaxed "Huh. I can see what everyone's been going on about. You stink."

Edward burst into laughter; Seth joined him. "well, that's probably more Seth than me" From behind us I could hear Leah bark out a laugh, followed by the others.

"Okay, so I passed, right?" she said. "Now are you going to tell me what's going on?"

I could feel Seth tense from beside me. "we have all the time to talk, perhaps inside would be better?"

"Renesmee," She whispered.

"Come and see," Edward murmured. "I know you can handle this."

"You'll help me?" she whispered through motionless lips.

"Of course, I will."

"And Emmett and Jasper - just in case?"

"We'll take care of you, Bella. Don't worry, we'll be ready. None of us would risk Renesmee. I think you'll be surprised at how entirely she's already wrapped us all around her little fingers. She'll be perfectly safe, no matter what."

I smiled at Bella and Seth joined in, he trusted the others completely, a positive. Seth and I led them inside, everyone was waiting with smiles, though slightly defensive. The two bundles of joy had everyone wrapped around their fingers. I approached Rosalie wrapping my hand around her waist as we waited. Leah had Demetri in her arms on the other side of Rose. Seth went to stand near Esme, who was currently holding Renesme, he looked at her with adoration, just like everyone else, his smile increased when he saw Renesmee spot Bella.

She was leaning out of Esme's arms slightly peering at her mother.

"I was out just three days?" she said disbelieving. The children appeared to be weeks, if not months old, twice the size they were when they were born. They were strong enough to sit up on their own... it was only a matter of time before they started crawling.

Renesmee had shiny bronze-colored hair that fell in ringlets past her shoulders. Her chocolate brown eyes examined Bella with an interest that was not at all childlike; it was adult, aware and intelligent. Very creepy the first time you see it.

Demetri wasn't quite on the same level; he was smart but much more human. He had similar protections that I did, we couldn't explain why Edward could read his mind, it wasn't perfect, and Edward compared it to Charlie. He could hear bits and pieces but not everything like everyone else. But the most promising was Demetri's nearly invisible scent – because he was half vampire that part was visible, and his human side was gone.

So, he smelled like a vampire.

Renesmee raised one hand, reaching in Bella's direction for a moment, and then reached back to touch Esme's throat. Esme smiled "Yes, that's her."

Renesmee's eyes stayed locked on Bella. Then, as she had just seconds after her violent birth, she smiled. A brilliant flash of tiny, perfect white teeth. Bella took a hesitant step forward.

Everyone moved very fast.

Emmett and Jasper were right in front of them, shoulder to shoulder, hands ready. Edward gripped Bella from behind, fingers tight again on the tops of her arms. Even Carlisle and Lucia moved to get Emmett's and Jasper's flanks. Seth blocked Esme from Bella's view while Leah and Rosalie remained still.

Alice was the only one who held her place.

"Oh, give her some credit," she chided them. "She wasn't going to do anything. You'd want a closer look, too."

Renesmee's fragrance was perfectly balanced right on the line between the scent of the most beautiful perfume and the scent of the most delicious food. There was enough of the sweet vampire smell to keep the human part from being overwhelming.

"I'm okay," she promised, patting Edward's hand on my arm. Then I hesitated and added, "Keep close, though, just in case."

Jasper's eyes were tight, focused. I knew he was taking in her emotional climate. This was something that was helpful because Edward couldn't register her thoughts.

It didn't matter much because Renesmee struggled to reach Bella. Seth having noticed this moved to the side to allow her to look at Bella.

"Jazz, Em, let us through. Bella's got this."

"Edward, the risk -," Jasper said.

"Minimal. Listen, Jasper - on the hunt she caught the scent of some hikers who were in the wrong place at the wrong time___"

I heard Carlisle suck in a shocked breath. Esme's face was suddenly full of concern mingled with compassion. Jasper's eyes widened, but he nodded just a tiny bit, as if Edward's words answered some question in his head. Emmett shrugged. I could see Seth and Leah look concerned about the hiker, and I agree. I'm glad that she was able to leave and not hurt anyone.

"Edward!" Carlisle chastened. "How could you be so irresponsible?"

"I know, Carlisle, I know. I was just plain stupid. I should have taken the time to make sure we were in a safe zone before I set her loose."

"Edward," Bella mumbled.

"He's absolutely right to rebuke me, Bella," Edward said with a grin. "I made a huge mistake. The fact that you are stronger than anyone I've ever known doesn't change that."

Alice rolled her eyes. "Tasteful joke, Edward."

"I wasn't making a joke. I was explaining to Jasper why I know Bella can handle this. It's not my fault everyone jumped to conclusions."

"Wait," Jasper gasped. "She didn't hunt the humans?"

"She started to," Edward said, clearly enjoying himself. I furrowed my brows and clenched my jaw, I know this was something Edward needed to say in order to make the others feel better about her control, but I wasn't happy with how he seemed to enjoy this. "She was entirely focused on the hunt."

"What happened?" Carlisle interjected. His eyes were suddenly bright, an amazed smile beginning to form on his face. The thrill of new information.

Edward leaned toward him, animated. "She heard me behind her and reacted defensively. As soon as my pursuit broke into her concentration, she snapped right out of it. I've never seen anything to equal her. She realized at once what was happening, and then... she held her breath and ran away"

"Whoa," Emmett murmured. "Seriously?"

"He's not telling it right," Bella muttered, "He left out the part where I growled at him."

"Did ya get in a couple of good swipes?" Emmett asked eagerly. I turned to put my face in Rosalie's hair, trying to ignore the talk. I would never get it. I could feel Rose's turn slightly to lean into me, her hand rubbing circles on my stomach.

"No! Of course not."

"No, not really? You really didn't attack him?"

"Emmett!" Bella protested.

"Aw, what a waste," Emmett groaned. "And here you're probably the one person who could take him - since he can't get in your head to cheat - and you had a perfect excuse, too." He sighed. "I've been dying to see how he'd do without that advantage. Now Alex is the only one and Rose said no."

Rosalie gave Emmett a raised brow, and I chuckled. He had been trying to get me and Edward to test skills ever since the battle the night the babies were born. Rose shut it down immediately.

Bella glared at him frostily. "I would never."

Jasper's frown caught my attention; he seemed even more disturbed than before. Though Lucia seemed smug, like she predicted something like this.

Edward touched his fist lightly to Jasper's shoulder in a mock punch. "You see what I mean?"

"It's not natural," Jasper muttered.

"She could have turned on you - she's only hours old!" Esme scolded, putting her hand against her heart. "Oh, we should have gone with you."

"Edward," Bella said, leaning around Jasper to see Renesmee better. "Please?"

Jasper's teeth were set; he didn't move.

"Jazz, this isn't anything you've seen before," Alice said quietly. "Trust me."