Change, like sunshine, can be a friend or a foe, a blessing or a curse, a dawn or a dusk. – William Arthur Ward

Dad was standing at the bottom of the staircase, affectively blocking my way downstairs. He looked upset as expected, the frown on his mouth looked like it was going to be etched unto his face for eternity.

"Why are you so stubborn?" He was standing so still that it almost surprised me when he started talking.

I gave a quirky smile and shrugged noncommittally. "I get it from Mom."

He shook his head for a moment, a strange smile replacing the frown as he looked at me affectionately. I hurt him, deeply, I know, but one day he would forgive me.

I love you, Dad.

He made a slow ascent up the stairs and I watched him the entire way until he was only a step below me, his eyes burning into my soul, reading every thought in my head with special scrutiny.

"You love him," He stated that fact with a mild discomfort to his voice.

I do.

"And we can't keep you from him."

No.

I smiled at him, amused at the grimace on his face. "Don't worry, Dad. Alec won't corrupt me too badly."

He let out a chuckle. "I was thinking it was the other way around." I rolled my eyes and he laughed harder.

"You'll still visit, won't you?" He asked looking rather uncertain and I couldn't help but pull him in a hug.

"Duh,"

He laughed again and I hugged him tighter, my head resting on his chest as gently stroked my hair, a sweet calmness overcoming us as we stood like that for a little while, just soaking in the moment.

"Be safe," He whispered finally, the timbre of his voice gracing my ears and I nodded before ending the embracing.

Goodbye, Dad.

"Goodbye, Renesmee," He returned kindly. "For now,"

I gave him my widest and warmest smile before I went pass him to go to the garage. And just like that, I closed another chapter in my life.

I found my car and opened the trunk, surprised to find bags of my things in there. But how-

"We had a feeling you were going to make a getaway," Aunt Alice said, appearing out of nowhere with Uncle Jasper, Uncle Emmett and Aunt Rosalie in tow. "We decided to make things easier for you."

I stared at them all in shock. "You're all for this?"

"I'm not." Aunt Rosalie stepped forward. "But I can see that nothing's going to stop you from running into the arms of your beloved like some cliché heroine so I'm just going to have to bear it and let you be happy, no matter how much I disapprove."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Thank you." I pulled her into a hug. The rest of my uncles and aunt joined along, I was stuck in a gigantic group hug that constricted my breathing. "Guys, I can't breathe." But I felt full and happy and so filled with love, I felt giddy.

"You're not saying goodbye without us, are you?" We all dispersed to see Grandpa Carlisle and Grandma Esme coming towards us. They were both smiling, both strangely happy and sad at the same time.

"Grandpa." I moved forward till I was hugging him. "I'm sorry for lying to you and everything and causing everyone so much trouble-"

He interrupted me. "Sssh," He smiled, pulling away from me. "I know, I know."

I smiled up at him, feeling tears pricking my eyes. They were so understanding, good and kind. I didn't deserve all these people.

As if reading my mind, Grandma Esme pulled me into a hug. "I'm going to miss you, my dear Renesmee. I can't bear to lose you but I have a feeling I will anyway if we force you to stay."

"Yes," I agreed. I pulled away from her and kissed her on the cheek. She caressed my cheek for a moment before handing me my cell phone. "Call us every day."

"I will." I promised before turning towards my car. I gave kisses to my aunts and uncles before I went inside my car. I turned on the engine when I realized I'd forgotten someone. "Where's mom?"

Aunt Alice turned to Uncle Jasper and they shared a look before she turned back to me and answered. "She's with your dad."

I felt guilt brewing in my gut as I asked. "Do you think she'll ever forgive me?"

"Someday," Uncle Jasper replied. "She just needs time."

All the things I said, some of them I didn't mean, I felt so guilty and angry at myself. But I had no choice, apologizing would do no good. Mom had to let me go and realized I wasn't her baby anymore. I'd forever be her daughter but I was no longer a child.

The garage door opened and I revved the engine, I stared into the darkening skies before I was off. I didn't know where I was headed but I felt free.

I was driving for hours on end, feeling my eyelids droop before I realized where I needed to go. I headed to the airport and arrived just in time to see Alec at the terminal, smiling when he saw me.

"You're late," He said. "Our flight leaves in fifteen minutes."

"How did you I'd be here?" I asked, stunned.

He shook his head. "Your Aunt Alice called," He answered. "She thinks of everything."

"Yes, she does," I laughed, I suddenly just felt like laughing, crying, dancing and singing, just leaping into the clouds with joy. I was there with the guy of my dreams and we were about to start our lives together? How could this get any better?

Alec explained to me the extravagance of the Volturi by showing me their private plane. My family was known to be a little frivolous but when you had all that money, it would be a waste not to spend it. But a plane? We didn't have a plane. Dad didn't even want to get me that pony I've been asking him since I learned how to talk.

Alec had laughed at my dropped jaw before leading me to the inside of the plane. I couldn't help but blink at the all too lush interior, suddenly self-conscious to touch anything.

Alec rolled his eyes at me, pulling me down beside him on the comfy seat. "You're acting like you've never been on a plane."

"Not a private one," I shook my head at the large flat-screen TV hanging on the wall. "Especially one owned by Richie Rich himself."

"Don't the Cullens have money?"

I nodded. "We fly first class but we don't own a plane," I explained. "Besides, they prefer driving."

We spent a good portion of the plane ride, talking. Well, I was asking questions about Volterra and all the sights and people and Alec enlightened me in his own twisted way.

"There are plenty of people, though we prefer the tourists."

"Why is that?" He raised his eyebrows at me and realization struck me. He meant tourists as in people…to eat. There were times when I truly forgot who Alec was and what lifestyle he led. How different we really were in that aspect but I chose to ignore that, we'd find a compromise like we always did.

But I don't think I could live with feeding on people, I was still partly human and with my upbringing and conscience I wouldn't be able to stomach it. I don't think I could stomach knowing people were being murdered in the next room either.

I turned to Alec to address him about it but his attention was somewhere else, his face was calm as he stared at the different colors splayed out in the sky. I opted to talk about this problem with him later but right now, I was content to watch to share this moment with him.

I rested my head on his shoulder and he absently pulled me closer.

Outside the window, the heavens welcomed the dusk.

See ya for the sequel! As Bette Davis said, "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride".