Marianne Swan used to have a fascination with the fragile nature of mortality until it was her own life on the line. Marianne is not scared of much in this world, with one key exception: the name Edward Cullen. She reunites with her father - chief o...
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We gave Bella some space after that - she was incredibly in control of her thirst and emotions - and Jasper struggled with how remorse she was over the minor incident on the front lawn; Seth would be healed in a few hours with his accelerating healing.
Jasper and I sat on the stairs quietly. Until Jasper looked in Bella's direction asking, "What's the matter, Bella? No one is angry with you; or even surprised... well I suppose we are surprised. You did well - better than anyone expects of you."
I squeeze his hand, "It's true Bella - you must have like super self control or something."
"I was thinking of Charlie, actually."
"Ah," Jasper and I say in unison - the realization that we will have to leave this house settles amongst us. My dad had been insistently calling - it wouldn't be too long before he started coming to the house.
"We really have to leave, don't we?"
Jasper responds, "Yes. It's the only way to protect your father."
"I'm going to miss him so much. I'm going to miss everyone here."
"I'll miss him too, Bells, but at least you have us," I murmur.
Just then Jacob is bringing Renesmee inside - it must be time to measure her; Carlisle has been measuring her several times a day to chart calculate the rate of her growth. We think it's been slowing down, but she is only a few days old and already is roughly the size of a one year old. However, her mental develop seems to be much more keen and progressing at a much quicker rate as she is able to fairly effectively communicate with us.
After her measuring session, Renesmee wants Bella - of course. Jasper stepped towards Bella, flanked by Edward while Bella cautiously picked up her baby. Seconds later, Renesmee was in Edward's arms and Jasper had effortless pinned Bella's arms behind her back.
"What happened?" I ask anxiously looking between the three.
"She was remembering being thirsty... remembering the taste of human blood," Edward responds.
Bella - still pinned by Jasper - looked unfazed, "Yes... and?"
Edward briefly frowns before letting out a chuckle, "And nothing at all, it seems. The over reaction this time is mine, Jazz, let her go."
"I can't understand," Jasper mumbles. "I can't bear this."
Without a second glance he disappears out the side door into the inky night, "I'll go with him."
I dart out after Jasper, to catch him pacing on the opposite side of the river mumbling to himself incoherently. I lean against a nearby tree, "Want to talk about it?"
He shrugs, continuing his pacing, "I have always though the newborn madness was inevitable. And I just don't understand why I have had such a difficult time adjusting. Is the bloodlust natural - completely unavoidable? Or if I were to shift my focus and perspective would I be doing it with the same ease that Bella is demonstrating? I simply can not fathom this. Do I impose these expectations on myself? Is that why I-"
