[BamaFan121s]

“Let’s wait on the porch, Love.” Edward took my hand and pulled me through the front door out into the gray, early afternoon, where we sat side by side on the top stair. In the distance, I heard Jacob and Emmett wrestling around by the river. “They’ll be finished in a minute, Rosalie is just stalling now.” I noticed the smile in the tone of his voice.

“So are you going to let me in on the joke? Why is she stalling?”

“Just to irritate Jacob. She knows that he’s eagerly awaiting the end of their lessons too, but he knows better than to interrupt them.”

“I really wish the two of them would knock it off already.” I lowered my head to my hands in frustration.

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. They don’t hate each other nearly as much as they let on. They are both equally stubborn, and jealous.”

“Yeah, well, I hope you’re right about that.” I frowned. I wasn’t altogether convinced.

“Trust me, Bella,” he said, reaching forward to rub my arm reassuringly. "Rosalie is more guarded with her thoughts, but Jacob isn’t. Truthfully, they both realize that they share one major thing in common. They both want what’s best for Renesmee and they respect that in one another.”

Just then, Renesmee bound out the door, jumping form the top stair and arching gracefully through the air. At the last moment before touching the ground, she spun around to land so that she was facing us. “Mommy…Aunt Rose taught me about the planets today! I learned that we live on the planet Earth.” She smiled triumphantly and looked back to Rosalie for approval.

Rosalie smiled at her and then turned to us, beaming at her own accomplishments.

“Thank you Rosalie…I have to say, I really am impressed,” Edward said.

“She’s my best student,” she said, winking at Renesmee. She covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a giggle. “And I really do enjoy it. I would still be willing to continue with them next year instead of her having to go off to obedience school.” She sounded hopeful.

I rolled my eyes, looking to Edward for help. We were relieved of having to respond. In the distance, I heard Jacob and Emmett approaching, their wrestling match having obviously ended. As they jogged into sight around the corner of the house, Renesmee launched herself at Jacob, who caught her midair. “Jacob!” she squealed, “Aunt Rose taught me about the planets, and the sun, and the stars….”

"Really? That’s pretty neat kiddo, can you tell me all their names later?” Jacob kissed her cheek before setting her back down. I felt Edward stiffen slightly beside me, then relax almost immediately.

“So, Blondie…” Jacob said turning to Rosalie, his voice full of mischief. “Did you teach her about Uranus too?” He burst into laughter at his own joke, joined immediately by Emmett.

Rosalie didn’t respond. She narrowed her eyes, a low hiss escaping her lips before she turned and disappeared into the house.

“Oh Babe, we were just kidding….” Emmett trailed off after her, shouting his apologies while following in her wake.

Jacob turned to us, still laughing at his own joke, “Get it you two? Uranus?”

“Oh grow up, Jake!” I spat at him. This only caused him to double over in laughter. I silently fumed, balling my fists.

“What’s so funny?” Alice had appeared from the clearing, her arms full of freshly picked flowers in shades of purples, blues and yellows.

“Nothing is funny, nothing at all!” I eyed Jake, who finally managed to control himself and straighten up.

Alice shrugged, obviously deciding that it wasn’t worth pursuing. “Bella,” she began, her eyes alight with excitement, “I was in the field picking flowers, and suddenly I had the most fantastic vision!”

I swallowed hard, suddenly nervous. “This doesn’t have anything to do with me and shopping, or dresses, or anything of that nature, does it?”

“No, silly! But I do like that shade of purple on you. Much better than the green you almost chose.” It was no use with Alice. Of course she’d seen what I would be wearing, even before I knew myself. “I saw us all taking a fabulous trip!” Alice, no doubt had been hoping we’d agree to going to Volterra and had clearly seen it as soon as we’d given Carlisle our answers.

“A trip?” Jacob asked, momentarily pulling his attention from Renesme. “Cool! Where are we going?”

Uh-oh. Edward and I looked at each other, both of us raising our eyebrows cautiously. This I had not yet planned for—we were going to have to tell Jacob. And somehow, I had a sinking feeling he wasn’t going to be happy about it.