I was standing on the back porch, teacup in hand while taking in the scenic landscape around me, when Jacob and Chloe returned a few hours later. I heard the car doors close, echoing in the garage, and I took another sip instead of greeting them. The air shifted around me as I felt a presence from behind, the faint smell of vanilla filling my nose.

"There's no rush," Chloe said gently, standing a few feet away from me. "It's in my purse when you're ready."

I didn't say anything; taking one last look at the changing trees of fall, I exhaled a shaky breath.

"I'm ready."

Chloe followed me into the house, where we met Esme in the kitchen. She glanced between us knowingly and wiped her hands on a towel, pausing her task of making a late meal for us.

"You can use the bathroom connected to Carlisle and my room," she said low enough for us to hear. "I'll make sure nobody interrupts."

"Thanks, Esme." I gave her a weak smile.

Careful not to run into any of the Cullens - and grateful that we didn't - Chloe and I made our way upstairs, unable to bring ourselves to look in the room where Bella's body was laying. As much as I wanted to check on her, my mind was too distracted to focus; now that I've had time to think about the possibility of impending motherhood, I couldn't stop. I could barely process my feelings on the topic as it was.

"Do you want me to go get Jacob?" Chloe asked as I stepped into the bathroom.

"Not yet." I paused, hovering inside the doorway before meeting her gaze. "I just need a minute... before I do this."

"Take all the time you need. I'll be right here." Chloe reassured me, sitting on the edge of the bed.

I closed the door behind me and set the box on the counter, my eyes immediately drawn to my reflection in the mirror. Both my heart and mind were racing, each vibrating on a different erratic wavelength.

Was I ready to be a mom? Was Jacob ready to be a dad? Did he still want kids? How was I going to tell my mom? Billy? Would our baby be in danger from the other pack? From the elders?

What if the test was negative? A false alarm? Would I feel relief or sadness? What about Jake? If it was negative, what the heck did that vision mean?

You won't know until you take the test, a voice in the back of my mind scolded.

Sighing, I ripped open the box and read the instructions carefully. Making sure I did everything right, I set the test on a small pile of tissues on the counter and creaked the door open, meeting Chloe's comforting gaze.

"Will you get Jacob?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. She nodded and silently left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Just as the three-minute timer went off on my phone, Jacob appeared in the bedroom. He immediately wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest.

"Whatever the result is, I love you." He murmured in my ear. "I love you, and I'm here for you."

"I know... I love you too."

I released myself from Jacob's embrace and headed to the counter, carefully avoiding the test. Silently counting to 3, I picked it up and looked down at the tiny screen.

One faint line stared back at me.

I felt Jacob move behind me, his arms slipping around my waist as I waited for him to see the result. The tiny bubble of anxiety and nerves in my stomach deflated as the motion of his shoulders sagging slightly confirmed what my brain was trying to comprehend.

"How are you feeling?" Jacob broke the silence first.

"Um... a little confused. And a tiny bit disappointed?" I admitted, holding my breath.

"Me too..." I could hear the sheepish tone in his voice and I turned my head to look at him; he offered a guilty smile.

"Were you -?"

"Yeah." He breathed, rolling his shoulders. "Yeah, I guess I was hoping we were having a kid. When the time comes, right?"

"Right." I glanced back at the test in my hands. "When the time comes."

Throwing the test in the trash, I let Jacob lead me downstairs to the living room where Chloe was quietly talking with Rosalie and Alice. They looked up when they heard us, their eyes betraying the tiniest bit of hope. I shook my head at the unspoken question and the atmosphere suddenly weighted down like the lead settling in my stomach.

Chloe motioned for me to sit beside herself, immediately wrapping an arm around my shoulder as I curled up next to her, resting my head on her shoulder.

"Do you want a turn holding the baby?" Rosalie asked, looking from me to Jacob. He nodded to me when I met his gaze, signaling for me to go first.

"Please," I said, sitting up into a more comfortable position.

Rosalie carefully placed the baby into the crook of my elbow, making sure her head was safely secured before slipping her hands out from underneath the tiny blanket. Renesmee blinked as she stared at me, her eyes wide and alert. A tiny smile formed on her pale pink lips, immediately drawing one to my own face.

"Hi, Renesmee..." I breathed softly, taking in the tiny being. "I'm your godmother. I promise, I will always be here for you."

"She is beautiful." Jacob stated, leaning against the arm of the couch. "She has Bella's eyes."

As Rosalie and Chloe murmured in agreement, I focused my attention back on Renesmee. She seemed to be watching me as well, almost curiously.

Oh, Nessie... what does my vision mean?

"Nessie... I like it." Jacob's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Although, I'm not sure how Edward or Bella is going to react to their daughter having the same nickname as the Loch Ness monster."

"They'll get over it," Rosalie tossed her blonde hair over her shoulders. "It's a good nickname."

The tiny infectious smile on Renesmee's face appeared to agree with Rosalie as she cooed in response.

* * * * * *

"It's been three days..."

Edward groaned as he stared at Bella's lifeless body, his eyes never wavering from her unchanging face. I sat on the other side of the hospital bed, curled up with a book about dream deciphering. Ever since the negative pregnancy test, my dreams had gotten more vivid... and more confusing.

Carlisle stood beside Edward, clasping a hand on his shoulder briefly before checking Bella's vitals.

"What if I did something wrong?" Edward whispered, horror seeping into his voice.

"Son, you did everything right," Carlisle reassured him. "Listen to her heartbeat... it's strong. Stronger than Esme's or even Emmett's."

"Then why isn't she waking up?"

"We don't know what it's like for her, inside her mind. Her experience will be different than what any of us have gone through. She'll be awake soon, we just have to trust her."

"She's a fighter, Edward." I added, looking up from my book. "Look at how many times she fought you to stay. Trust me, that girl isn't about to give up the love of her life just like that."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a tiny prick in the back of my mind, one all too familiar. Silently throwing up a wall so Edward couldn't read my thoughts, I casually went back to my book as I waited.

Autumn...

Welcome back, Bells. I mentally flashed her a smile. How are you feeling?

Honestly? Awful... so much burning... I'm guessing it's the venom spreading.

A pause.

Thank you for not telling them I'm awake - sort of. I'm not ready to face him just yet... her voice trailed off thoughtfully.

Whatever you need, I'm here.

Just stay with me a minute. I need... to focus...

My mind fell quiet as Bella resumed her silent breathing; seconds passed as I listened to her heartbeat remain steady.

"It's almost time." Alice appeared in the doorway. "She's going to be dazzling, Edward."

"She always has been."

"Where's the baby?" Carlisle asked, diffusing any tension simmering between his two children.

"With Rose... and Jacob."

"Good..." Carlisle murmured. "Bella needs to remain focused right now."

"How much longer?" Edward asked.

"Thirty seconds." Alice responded as Jasper entered the room, his face wary.

I moved out of the way as they waited, their shifting eyes the only part of their bodies moving.

"Here we go," Alice mumbled under her breath and the Cullens stiffened as if holding their breath while on the edge of their seat.

I stared at Bella's marble skin, noticing the slight differences between now and just three days ago. Her skin was no longer sunken, color had returned to her cheeks. Her hair was once again shiny and vibrantly brown. She looked like my best friend again, only more durable. Less fragile.

Time seemed to have slowed down, nearly frozen, as we watched Bella slowly open her eyes. Relief flooded through my veins at the sight of her, despite our telepathic conversation moments ago. She was here, alive and awake.

That's the only thing that mattered in this moment.

"Bella?" Edward spoke quietly, slowly, as if not to startle her. "How are you feeling?"

Bella didn't respond right away; instead, she looked around the room in amazement, her red eyes widening in awe. She didn't notice Edward moving closer to her, so when he placed his hand on hers, she hissed and was on the other side of the table in a second. Slightly crouched defensively, Bella realized what happened and immediately straightened her position, looking apologetically at Edward.

"It's okay," Edward said over his shoulder to someone's unspoken question. "She must have realized I wouldn't feel cold to her anymore."

Bella gave a nod as her response, taking in the rest of the Cullens' expressions. Her eyes flickered to me and I offered a reassuring smile.

"It worked, didn't it?" She asked me, tilting her head at the new sound of her voice.

"It did. Renesmee is perfectly healthy, and so are you." I replied, sharing a look with Edward. "I can't take all the credit though. My protection spell could only do so much... Edward's venom did the rest."

"What do you remember, Bella? About your transformation?" Carlisle asked, taking a small step forward.

"It's hard to remember. It was so dark before. And then... I opened my eyes and I could see everything." Bella lied, trying not to look at Edward. I kept true to my promise and didn't speak.

"Anything else?"

The strained look on Bella's face was a clear cry for help and I spoke up before another question could be asked.

"We should save this conversation for later," I nodded towards Edward. "I'd like to see Bella and Renesmee meet, but Bella has to hunt first."

"You're right, this can wait." Carlisle agreed.

"Are you ready?" Edward turned to Bella, outstretching his hand to her.

"Wait, wait, wait," Alice pouted from the doorway, peeking around Jasper. "You promised I could be there the first time! What if you two run past something reflective?"

"Alice—," Edward protested, rolling his eyes.

"It will only take a second!"

Without waiting for another protest, Alice darted from the room. Edward sighed defeatedly, dropping his hand back to his side.

"What is she talking about?"

Before anyone could answer Bella, Alice was already back, carrying the huge mirror from Rosalie's room; an object that was twice as tall as Alice, which made the comparison visually comedic.

During all of this, Jasper had been completely still and silent; now he moved again, to hover over Alice, his eyes locked on Bella.

It was clear he was surveying the mood around Bella, ready to step in if she snapped, as his eyes shifted cautiously. A wry smile formed on his lips as Bella stared at him in shock, her body tended slightly to defend herself.

It's because of his scars, Edward's voice murmured in my head. She can see them more defined now.

"Edward gave me grief for not getting you to a mirror before the wedding," Alice said to Bella, pulling the attention away from her frightening lover. "I'm not going to be chewed out again."

"Chewed out?" Edward asked skeptically, one eyebrow curving upward in bemusement.

"Maybe I'm overstating things," she murmured absently as she turned the mirror to face Bella.

"And maybe this has solely to do with your own voyeuristic gratification," he countered.

Alice winked at him as she stepped away from the mirror, patiently waiting for Bella's reaction. As Bella studied her new reflection, my phone began to buzz in my pocket. Excusing myself from the room, I pressed the green button and headed outside, waving off Jacob as I passed the living room.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Autumn." My father said calmly on the other end. I could feel the all too familiar smirk through the phone and my grip tightened on the device.

"What do you want?" I gritted my teeth.

"I wanted to know when I should send this gift to you... I believe congratulations are in order." There was a slight rustle on the other end of the line as if a stack of paper was being shuffled. "I didn't know you were seeing anyone serious, let alone engaged."

"How the hell do you know that?"

"Seems like your significant other wrote your grandmother a letter before she passed away. It somehow got mixed in with one of the last few boxes I had to retrieve from the house after her funeral."

"That wasn't yours to read. You should've sent it to Mom as soon as you found it." I snapped, pacing across the porch.

"And as your father, I have every right to know what goes on in your life."

"Like hell you do!" I snarled, anger bursting inside me. "You haven't acted like a father should in at least ten years! You don't care about me unless it benefits you. I have begged and pleaded since childhood for you to be supportive of me, to love me the way that I deserve, and you chose another woman over me! You chose to walk out on your only daughter! If you wanted to be my dad, you would've made an effort, not excuses!"

"Your mother is the one —" he began to protest, but I promptly cut him off.

"Stop blaming Mom for whatever and take responsibility for once! There is no 'but' when it comes to parenting." I said firmly. "As for the present, why don't you save it for your next wife?"

Click.

I flipped the phone shut as hot tears blurred my vision. A pair of arms wrapped around me, trying to steady my shaking body.

"Meadow..." I managed to get out before a new wave of anger surged through me.

In the blink of an eye, Emmett set me on my feet in the same clearing I used to talk to Emily; darting back to the tree line, he joined Jasper and Jacob as they watched warily.

Letting out a broken sob, I screamed at the sky, releasing the anger in the form of magic straight at a giant oak tree. The impact rocked the tree hard enough to pull its roots out of the dirt and crash to the bottom of the forest floor. Just as my body began to crumble from sudden exhaustion, Jacob was there with his arms around me, both of us sinking to the grass.

"It's okay, I got you." Jacob whispered as darkness took over.