Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [167]
I know it is.
Pretty baby, he said again, but it was closer to a coo this time.
I could see it in his face-I could watch it growing there. Charlie was just as helpless against her magic as the rest of us. Two seconds in his arms, and already she owned him.
Can I come back tomorrow?
Sure, Dad. Of course. Well be here.
Youd better be, he said sternly, but his face was soft, still gazing at Renesmee. See you tomorrow, Nessie.
Not you, too!
Huh?
Her name is Renesmee. Like Renée and Esme, put together. No variations. I struggled to calm myself without the deep breath this time. Do you want to hear her middle name?
Sure.
Carlie. With a C. Like Carlisle and Charlie put together.
Charlies eye-creasing grin lit up his face, taking me off guard. Thanks, Bells.
Thank you, Dad. So much has changed so quickly. My head hasnt stopped spinning. If I didnt have you now, I dont know how Id keep my grip on-on reality. Id been about to say my grip on who I was. That was probably more than he needed.
Charlies stomach growled.
Go eat, Dad. We will be here. I remembered how it felt, that first uncomfortable immersion in fantasy- the sensation that everything would disappear in the light of the rising sun.
Charlie nodded and then reluctantly returned Renesmee to me. He glanced past me into the house; his eyes were a little wild for a minute as he stared around the big bright room. Everyone was still there, besides Jacob, who I could hear raiding the refrigerator in the kitchen; Alice was lounging on the bottom step of the staircase with Jaspers head in her lap; Carlisle had his head bent over a fat book in his lap; Esme was humming to herself, sketching on a notepad, while Rosalie and Emmett laid out the foundation for a monumental house of cards under the stairs; Edward had drifted to his piano and was playing very softly to himself. There was no evidence that the day was coming to a close, that it might be time to eat or shift activities in preparation for evening. Something intangible had changed in the atmosphere. The Cullens werent trying as hard as they usually did-the human charade had slipped ever so slightly, enough for Charlie to feel the difference.
He shuddered, shook his head, and sighed. See you tomorrow, Bella. He frowned and then added, I mean, its not like you dont look good. Ill get used to it.
Thanks, Dad.
Charlie nodded and walked thoughtfully toward his car. I watched him drive away; it wasnt until I heard his tires hit the freeway that I realized Id done it. Id actually made it through the whole day without hurting Charlie. All by myself. I must have a superpower!
It seemed too good to be true. Could I really have both my new family and some of my old as well? And Id thought that yesterday had been perfect.
Wow, I whispered. I blinked and felt the third set of contact lenses disintegrate.
The sound of the piano cut off, and Edwards arms were around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder.
You took the word right out of my mouth.
Edward, I did it!
You did. You were unbelievable. All that worrying over being a newborn, and then you skip it altogether. He laughed quietly.
Im not even sure shes really a vampire, let alone a newborn, Emmett called from under the stairs. Shes too tame.
All the embarrassing comments hed made in front of my father sounded in my ears again, and it was probably a good thing I was holding Renesmee. Unable to help my reaction entirely, I snarled under my breath.
Oooo, scary, Emmett laughed.
I hissed, and Renesmee stirred in my arms. She blinked a few times, then looked around, her expression confused. She sniffed, then reached for my face.
Charlie will be back tomorrow, I assured her.
Excellent, Emmett said. Rosalie laughed with him this time.
Not brilliant, Emmett, Edward said scornfully, holding out his hands to take Renesmee from me. He winked when I hesitated, and so, a little confused, I gave her to him.
What do you mean? Emmett demanded.
Its a little dense,