[BamaFan121s]

I rolled my eyes in response to their exchange. Clearly there had been no change in that relationship. But even Rosalie couldn’t find it within herself to harbor any animosity right now. Her expression bright, she cast one last sympathetic glance in Jacob’s direction before bounding towards the garage. “I’m going to let Emmett know you all are home,” she called over her shoulder just before disappearing in a flash of blonde mane.

With that, Edward and Jasper excused themselves to retrieve our luggage from the car, with Renesmee hopping excitedly after them, too excited to stand in one spot for long. I’d never truly worried for a moment that she wouldn’t be completely cared for in our absence, but all the same, my cold heart swelled at the mere sight of her….her perfection, her beauty, her charm…I felt whole again. I watched her until she disappeared down the last stair her hand in Edward’s and turned to the one person that I knew without question had been focused on nothing but his devotion to her happiness and well being during our absence.

Jacob, my best friend.

A smile spread across my face that had nothing to do with his current ridiculous appearance. He met my eyes and returned the gesture with his own, his white teeth ever gleaming.

“…mutt.”

“…bloodsucker.”

Jacob and I closed the gap between one another in less than a second. I felt myself lifted of the floor quite literally in a massive, bear hug and spun around in big, sweeping circles. Heat radiated off of him in waves, scorching my granite hard skin, but I didn’t complain. Finally, he set me down, pulling me out at arm’s length to look at me. “I’m awfully glad you’re home, Bells. I’ve really missed having you around.”

“Jake,” I began, “I don’t know what I would do without you. I can’t begin to thank you enough…to tell you how much it means, how comforting it has been, to know that you were here with Renesmee when I couldn’t be. And even more knowing that your will always be a part of her life.”

“Aw, Bells…” he looked down, shuffling his feet, at a loss for how to respond.

“I know that I’ve asked so much of you already, I really feel like it’s unfair to ask you for anything else, but…” I trailed off, looking away to hide my expression.

Jacob looked at me, a look of concern instantly on his face, “What is it Bella? What’s wrong? Anything I can do, you know I will, just ask.” He reached down to take my hand encasing it his own burning pair and pulling it chest.

I looked up to his face, worry furrowing his brow, “Well, do you think you could maybe…clean yourself up a bit, you look ridiculous!”

He exhaled and inclined his head slightly in laughter. Dropping my hand, he reached forward, “That’s my Bells…” he chuckled, rumpling my hair.

I smiled to myself as Jacob strode off to the bathroom.

“I hope he realizes that soap and water won’t get rid of that smell.” Rosalie had returned, helping Alice carry her spoils from earlier in the day into the house. Edward, Jasper and Emmett followed with the remainder of our luggage, Renesmee in their wake. She bounded back to me and I scooped her up in my arms, crushing her to my chest again. It would be days before I felt like I had hugged her enough to make up for the time we’d spent apart.

I heard the excited chatter of the others behind me, but I did not feel compelled to join them. Instead, I cradled Renesmee in my arms, looking down at her, drinking in every feature on her face, taking in every change I had missed. I walked slowly towards the back of the house, towards the enormous glass walls that overlooked the river and seemingly endless quilt of varying shades of greens. “Mommy, wait until I tell you what all I’ve done!” Renesmee exclaimed, her eyes alight with excitement.

She reached her tiny hand towards my face waiting for me to oblige her the opportunity to show me all her adventures that she was so eager to share. At that moment, Edward approached me from behind, resting his head lightly on my head, slipping one arm around to encircle my waist and the other reaching around to lightly stroke Renesme’s cheek. I bowed my head slightly to better allow her to lay her small, warm palm on my ice cold cheek. She furrowed her brow in concentration and her excitement spilled over in an onslaught of memories as she tried to share it all with us very quickly.

She flipped through the images so quickly, eager to move from one moment to the next, that they appeared as still pictures flashing before my eyes. Riding on the back of a giant russet wolf through the woods, Rosalie brushing her hair and humming melodies to her, running along the bank of a lake as Billy and Charlie rowed a small fishing boat back to shore. Occasionally, Edward would chuckle over something in particular. Aside from that, the three of us stood for a very long time, just watching and sharing in the portion of her life we’d missed. I was not surprised that Jacob and Rosalie appeared often in her recollections. Playing with her, rocking her to sleep and quite often, arguing over who had spent more time with her. At last she seemed to settle on one final picture, Jacob sitting on the edge of her bed, slowly and lightly tracing the planes of her face as she drifted off to sleep. With this image, she let out a contented sigh and pulled her hand away, satisfied that she had given us an adequate summary of the previous months.

I returned her to her feet and stared down at this perfect little figure, a perfect combination of Edward and myself. I was overcome with amazement that I’d been any part of the creation of such a perfect creature, as Edward kissed the top of my head. Suddenly, her attention was drawn back toward the chatter of the foyer. “Jacob!” With a squeal of joy she bounded off to rejoin her massive protector. Edward beamed down at me, reaching down to take my hand. He drew my hand forward, lightly kissing my palm before he let it drop and we slowly walked to rejoin our family.

“Jacob…” Edward reached forward, taking his hand in a firm handshake, a gesture of their new found friendship. He looked him in the eyes, sincerity washing across his face, “Thank you.” Jacob merely inclined his head in recognition of the expression of gratitude. There was no further exchange of words, no other gestures made. There was no need for them. The brief encounter was enough for each of them to grasp the full effect of the emotions the other could not verbalize.

“Where is Carlisle?” Alice asked, turning to Esme, “I know that I saw him catching an earlier flight this morning…” She trailed off, glancing in Jacob’s direction, the slightest look of exasperation crossing her perfect features for the first time in months.

“His connecting flight was delayed,” Esme responded, “he called just before you arrived. He did mention that Aro was sending more gifts for Renesmee though.”