I do not own Twilight or any songs that may be used. All rights go to their legal owners.

"Renesmee Carlie Cullen! Hurry up! Our guests will be here any minute!"

"I'm hurrying!"

"No, you're not!"

"Yes, I am!"

"Well, then, hurry faster!"

"I'm done now! Jesus!"

I slammed the door of my room shut, storming out into the hallway. Heat was still coming off of my freshly straightened hair, and a light coating of makeup covered my face. I wore a magenta dress that flowed right down to my kneecaps.

"Happy, Edward?!" I yelled. "I'm done!"

"About time." He was standing at the entrance to the stairs, his arms crossed. "You knew the Denali's were coming all the way from Alaska! You had hours to prepare, but you chose to wait until now?!"

"It's not like it's a fancy dinner!" I complained. "You guys can't even eat!"

"It's still respectful to greet your guests, Renesmee," Edward scolded me. "They are your aunts and uncles."

"Oh, yeah?" I challenged. "Because, last time I checked, they weren't! And last time I checked, you didn't have the authority to yell at me like I'm a-- a-- a child! I'm not! I'm the same age as you!"

"I'm over one hundred years--"

"It doesn't matter!" I screamed, brushing it off with a wave of my hand. "You're seventeen, I'm seventeen. Treat me like your equal, for God's sake!"

"You will not speak to your father--" Edward held up a finger before I cut him off.

I chuckled bitterly. "You're not my father, though! You never raised me! Nonny and Gabe did, and they're back in Chicago now! Hell, I don't even know why I wanted to be a Cullen! I just want to be human for once! Not some kind of freak!"

Edward stumbled backwards, as if I had just run a bullet through his heart. Keeping my heart cold, I stomped down the stairs and ran out the back door.

It had been five years since the Cullens and I had reunited. Most of the time, things were great. But it was when Edward smothered me that I got annoyed.

I ran deep into the woods, letting the wind brush my hair out. It was one of those rare, rainless nights, which were pretty nice considering we still lived in Washington.

Truth be told, I missed Chicago, even after five years. I missed the lake, I missed the wind, I missed the street performers and the greasy smell of pizza and hot dogs...

But I didn't regret moving here-- I never have. Washington was where I belonged, and where I planned on staying. It was just... I really missed Nonny and Gabe. They were my family. But they belonged back in Chicago, so they went and I stayed.

My fingernails dug into the bark of a tree, and I began to climb. As the days went by, it became easier to be a vampire. Plus, Jacob was always there to catch me if I fell. He was the one who usually kept me grounded.

Today, however, he was out running an errand for Sam somewhere in Canada. He probably wouldn't be getting back until later, and, of course, Edward doesn't let me out past 11. Seriously. 11. I'm a teenager for crying out loud! Let me live a little!

"Have you ever thought maybe that's because I love you?"

See what I mean by smothering?!

"Nessie," Edward said, crawling up to sit himself upon the limb opposite me. "Talk to me."

I rolled my eyes, raising my arms to pull myself up another branch. Edward mirrored my actions.

"There's nothing to talk about." I muttered. "You can't seem to leave me alone. And whenever I'm in trouble, all I hear is 'Renesmee Carlie Cullen! How dare you? Blah, blah, blah!' I'm so tired of your fatherly-ness!" I crossed my arms.

"Do you really mean that?" Edward asked softly. "Five years ago, you wanted a family. Five years ago, you were thrilled to be a Cullen, to finally have a mother and father for once. Do you really mean that, Nessie?"

Five years ago, the Cullens were everything to me. Sure, I was angry and shocked at first, but afterwards it was... nice.

All my life, I'd suffered Joe and Mildred. Let's face it, they never were the definition of "affectionate." But, after meeting all the wonderful people in my life now, I realized what the true meaning was.

"No. I don't mean that." I offered up a small smile.

Edward smiled back, leaning over to pat my arm. "Come on, now. Your mother's about to have a heart attack-- metaphorically, of course-- if we aren't back soon."

I nodded, following after him as he climbed down. Halfway down the tree, I spoke. "Oh yeah, and Edward?"

"Mhm?"

"I didn't mean anything I said earlier. I don't mind you smothering me."

He chuckled a little. "Good. Because I don't intend on stopping any time soon."

We reached to the bottom and hopped down. I pulled my father into a tight one-armed hug. He kissed the crown of my head.

"I love you, Renesmee."

"I love you, too, Daddy."

"Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance."

--Ruth E. Renkel

"I know a girl
She puts the color inside of my world
But she's just like a maze
Where all of the walls are continually changed
And I've done all I can
To stand on her steps with my heart in my hands
Now I'm starting to see
Maybe it's got nothing to do with me

Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too

Oh, you see that skin?
It's the same she's been standing in
Since the day she saw him walking away
Now I'm left
Cleaning up the mess he made

So fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too

Boys, you can break
You'll find out how much they can take
Boys will be strong
And boys soldier on
But boys would be gone without the warmth from
A womans good, good heart

On behalf of every man
Looking out for every girl
You are the guide and the weight of her world

So fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too..."

--John Mayer, "Daughters"

Author's Note: So after a year our story draws to a close! Sad, I know, but that means I can finish up NMF and possibly start another story later on this year, maybe in the summer or something. I don't know. And all of you are AWESOME readers and I am so lucky to have each and every one of you. So leave me reviews, tell me what you thought, yadda, yadda. I love you guys(:

I wait on you forever and a day hand and foot, Your world is my world. Ain't no way you're ever gonna get any less than you should, 'cause baby you smile I smile... Reviews? Comments? Click that button!

--Lauren :D