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Bella left the next morning. I knew she was going to drop Ren and Jacob off at Charlie's place, but, she was gone for a lot longer than it should have taken her to get them there. It was odd.

Jacob texted me and let me know that Bella hadn't stayed with them. So where she went, was a complete mystery to me.

All I know, is that when she and Ren returned, there was a look of deep sadness in her eyes as she watched Ren and Edward interact with each other.

Did she know something?

Had Alice and Jasper spoken to her as well?

If they had, Bella probably wasn't going to tell me. She'll say something if we need to know, but I guess whatever's bothering her, she's going to keep it to herself for the meantime.

Me and Bree sat upstairs in our bedroom together that night. Christmas was the next day, and the weather forecast was snow. Alice said that the Volturi would come when the snow stuck to the ground. Our confrontation with them would happen soon.

Neither of us said anything for a long time.

.. It wasn't like either of us could say anything to calm our worries and nerves.

We could end up loosing everything in the next few days.

And the reality of the situation was dawning on us.

If Bree can't bring herself to push it aside and think positively.

.. well... what hope do I have of doing that?

Our silence was broken by a soft thud from outside our window. Getting off of the floor to look out of the glass, I saw that nomadic vampire taking off into the forest. It didn't look like he was going to come back.

Without a word, I returned to Bree's side. She looked at me, the silent question swirled in her golden eyes, but i didn't need to answer her. From the look that took over her face, I knew that she had already figured it out.

"That was Alistair, wasn't it?" She whispered quietly.

I nodded softly. "Yes."

Bree didn't respond verbally to my confirmation.

Instead, she took my hand in hers and leaned into me, placing her head on my shoulder.

I laid my head on top of hers and began to hum softly.

She recognised the tune instantly, and joined in.

We sat together for a long time, doing nothing but humming the tune of a simple lullaby together.

I think we had repeated it around four times before we finally stopped.

I turned my body to face Bree, and took both of her hands into mine.

Staring into her beautiful golden eyes, I began to speak to her in as calm of a voice that I could muster.

"No matter what happens, I will protect you, and our family.

Win or loose, I will be by your side. That, is a promise.

" I said firmly, meaning every single word I had spoken.

Bree smiled at me with love in her eyes. "I'll hold you to that." She said softly.

I gave her a light chuckle. "I know you will."

Placing my hand on her cheek, I pulled her in for a gentle kiss. She leaned into me and wrapped her arms around my neck.

When we pulled away, Bree rested her head in the crook of my neck, while I held her in my lap. I kept a protective and comforting hold on her throughout the duration of the night. I wanted to stay by her side.

Bella, Edward and Renesmee left to attend Christmas at Charlie's house in the morning. Apparently, Jacob, Leah and Seth were going to be there as well, so they asked if me and Bree wanted to come too.

I wasn't sure at first. I kinda wanted to spend what was possibly the last Christmas I'd ever see, with my found family. But Bree told me that we should go, at least for a little while so that we could see Leah and Seth.

My shifter siblings and I, have been doing a lot better than we were in terms of our relationship. So, I suppose that it wouldn't be a bad idea to see them today.

With that decision, me and Bree caught up with the others and attended Christmas at Charlie's house. We were only going to attend for an hour or two, but we still joined the others on their outing.

When we got to the Swan residence, I learnt that Charlie now had a girlfriend.

That was a bit of a surprise. I hadn't even heard about her before this, but, she was nice.

It turned out that she worked with dad at Forks hospital.

Anne was her name, and she was a qualified nurse.

Charlie looked really happy with her. And it was clear that Bella was pleased for him.

After a little while, Charlie called out to start the presents. Seth immediately asked Leah and me what we had gotten him. Leah denied getting him anything, and as he argued with her, I chucked the present I had bought him at his head.

I got a scolding from Charlie for that, but I also got a giggle out of Renesmee. So, it was well worth it.

Leah surprised me today. She handed me a wrapped up gift, and then handed another one to Bree. I'm pretty sure Bree was just as surprised as I was at that.

We both looked at her questioningly after she gave them to us. Her response, "What? I can't give a gift to my sister's future wife?"

If we weren't in the presence of humans, I would've tackled her to the ground for that comment. Instead, I had to settle for chucking Leah's Christmas present at her head as well.

Thankfully, as I did so, Bella was already giving her gift to Charlie, so he was distracted and I got away with it. No one else was gonna say anything, and mum and dad weren't here, so suck it Leah!

We hung out at the Swan household for a while, then we returned home. Back to being in the presence of multiple vampires from different walks of life.

Vladimir and Stefan haven't messed with me or anyone else since my warning. And I'm quite grateful for that. I really don't want to have to deal with them.

Me and Bree spent the rest of the daylight hours with our coven.

Bree sought out mum for comfort, while I stayed near Emmet and dad.

I think it's pretty obvious that Bree is closer to mum than I am, but then again, I'd certainly consider myself closer to dad than her.

So I guess it evens out. Everyone has a subconscious favourite, even if you try not to.

When it started getting dark, everyone came together.

Jacob and I gathered up some wood for a bonfire, and once we were done, Benjamin lit it with his gift.

As everyone started taking their seats on the logs, Bree came to my side.

The witnesses started telling stories about their pasts.

It was interesting to hear about, I've got to admit that.

Of course the pre-battle bonfire stories was Jacob's idea.

He was curious about the life's they have lived.

I mean, I am too, but, I don't think I would have been brave enough to ask about it.

Kate and Garret have gotten really cozy with each other.

They've fully stepped into their mate bond, and I can't wait to see how their relationship develops.

I'm happy for her. When I met her at Bella and Edward's wedding, it was clear that she wanted a partner.

And I'm glad that she's finally got that.

By the time it was Vladimir and Stefan's turn to share, I was starting to get tired. I had promised Bree that I'd try and sleep before the battle. So I led Bree over to mum without saying anything and headed back towards the house. She didn't try and stop me, she knew where I was going.

As I walked away, Bella called out to me from her tent.

She and Renesmee had set up a little tent near the bonfire so that Renesmee could sleep.

I didn't know why she had called for me, but i headed over to her without questioning it.

Bella asked me to squeeze into the tent and take a seat, so I did.

"Hey girls. What's up?" I asked, giving a small smile to Ren. She returned it, but hers seemed a bit forced. And when I looked a bit closer, I could see the tears in her eyes.

I glanced at Bella and she looked sad. I raised my eyebrow at her, silently asking what was going on.

She whispered very quietly, low enough so that I was the only one who could hear her.

"Renesmee has to stay with Jacob tomorrow, no matter what happens.

She will have a future, but we may not be part of it.

I've just told her, and she asked for you. "

I nodded sombrely at her words, and Bella made her way out of the tent.

Before she departed, I gave her a brief hug, which she quickly returned.

Once Bella left, I took her spot next to Ren, and the little hybrid immediately gravitated into my side.

We may be different, but we're both hybrids.

So we understand each other a bit more than anyone else can.

So although I wasn't expecting Ren to want me right now, i can sort of understand why.

Ren clutched onto my hoodie tightly as she softly cried into my side. I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her into me. Ever so quietly, I heard her mumble, "What's gonna happen tomorrow?"

I couldn't bring myself to lie to her, so I answered honestly, "I don't know Ren, but me and the others may end up fighting.

" Her grip on my hoodie tightened at my words.

In a low and confident voice, I continued, "If we do end up fighting, I will keep our family safe.

So that when this is all over, we can come and find you and Jacob.

Okay? I'm a protector Ren. That's my job, and that is exactly what I am going to do tomorrow. "

Ren looked up at me with wide eyes and slowly nodded her head.

She stayed curled into my side for a long time.

When her breathing equaled out, I knew that she had fallen asleep.

I couldn't be bothered to get back up, plus Ren was clinging onto me, so there was no way I was going anywhere.

Relaxing my body as much as I could, I allowed myself to drift off.

I had to gather up as much energy as I could in preparation for the what was to come.

No one is going to die tomorrow. That is a promise.