I didn’t have to be a mind reader to know why Edward was upset. It was obvious that Lauren’s nasty thoughts did him in. I was just relieved in knowing that he kept his cool and didn’t barge into the store and start to threaten her.

“It doesn’t matter what she says or thinks.” I muttered.

“How can you be so kind to her? I can see the strain it takes you not to slap her.” he said through gritted teeth.

I rolled my eyes and went back to trying to soothe the crying baby sitting next to me. Damien was whining and flailing his tiny hands.

Exasperated and sympathetic, I picked him up and cradled him against my chest. I soothed him and tried my best to quiet the shrill cries that came from him.

“Shh, baby, don’t cry. It’s alright, don’t cry, I love you sweetie.” I repeated like mantra.

I wasn’t aware of Edward’s admiring gaze until I looked up when the car stopped. His former tight-lipped scowl was replaced with a soft smile.

“You’re quite the pair,” he murmured.

“You two look more alike.”

“In the obvious departments, yes. He has many of your features, as well. Your cheekbones and nose, also your narrow eyebrows and cute ears.”

“I have cute ears?” I asked in a shy, girlish voice.

“Yes, very cute. They’re one of my most favourite qualities about you. Plus, they are very fun to nibble on.”

If I was still human, I would have been as bright as a tomato. Trying my hardest to flag off the comment, I looked around him to the front of the car.

We were sitting at the mouth of the Cullen’s driveway. The house not yet in sight.

“Why did you stop here?” I asked.

“We’ll surprise them. I don’t want them to hear the engine.”

I nodded minutely and observed as he exited the Volvo. Making placement of his example, I gathered Damien up in my arms, disregarding the car-seat.

Edward helped me from the car, and wrapped a possessive, but loving arm around my waist.

His touch still made my skin tingle and my stomach flutter. Though, now the effect was abysmal, considering the no longer working human functions that gave it away so easily.

Such as my rosy cheeks, the rushing of my blood, and the uneven thumping of my once beating heart.

Some things I mourned, while others I welcomed with open arms. The need for sleeping and eating were one of the many I was almost grateful to rid.

Sleeping did have its up, though. I was at least able to escape the reality of the world around me when I felt hopeless. I now couldn’t completely feel that anymore.

I had a feeling it had to do with the man standing beside me at the moment.

I leaned into Edward more. Part of me wanted to revel in the feeling of his touch, fearing it might leave again. Another just wanted to be in his touch, to feel the love he had, and will always have.

Slowly but surely, my trust was returning. Now being a vampire, I wouldn’t have to fear him leaving as much. I was more durable, he didn’t have to be as gentle, which he proved.

Pulling myself from my thoughts, we started the slow, yet enjoyable walk up to the pristine house. It brought back memories of both love and abandonment.

Edward stopped suddenly, sniffing the air with intense concentration.

“What?” I asked.

“I just noticed,” he muttered. “I didn’t see it before, but there’s a feint trace of your human scent.”

“How can it still be here? That was a long time ago…”

“Esme’s airing out the house, your scent from inside is evaporating into the air. Now’s your last chance to smell your old self.”

The words sounded strange to me, but I complied nonetheless. As a large current of spring air swept by us both, we inhaled.

The scent seemed strange at first. It was floral; I had assumed it was just some of the nearby blooming flowers. I noticed, though, the scent of strawberries.

My shampoo pulled me into reality that this was what I smelled like. This was my human scent, my own personal ID.

A part of my muscles tensed as I smelled it and dissected it even further. A scent I had not smelled in a long time, that had been washed away with my move into the house.

Charlie.

When I came here, I left from Charlie’s home. I smelled like him, and while being in the Cullen’s home, I had left both a part of me and him there.

Edward, seeming to understand my sudden stillness and mood change, securely pulled me to his chest.

“You can smell him, too.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes,” he murmured.

We stood there, unmoving, for an immeasurable amount of time. I tried to recall the memories of Charlie, but they were vague. Most of my human memories, without any recollection, were fading.

I pulled away from Edward, and looked to my son, then to him. In that moment, we shared unspoken feelings and understanding aliments.

For us, that was a large step.