XXXI. Reconcile.

By the time December 13th had come, Delia was five years old. Her age was a little easier to pinpoint now, especially since it had started to slow down so much. We still weren't any closer to figuring out how the little miracle possibly existed, but we enjoyed our time with her every second of the day.

It was early in the morning, and the snow lay thick outside. I sat on the couch, finishing braiding Delia's hair so it would stay out of her eyes. She was wearing a blue sweater with black overalls and black boots.

The little girl stood in front of me, her back to me while she tapped her hands on my knees as she waited for me to finish. She looked towards her father when he entered the living room. "Daddy, can we go make a snowman?" she asked as she raised her eyebrows.

Edward walked over to Delia, kneeling down in front of her, holding his arms open. Delia surged forward, leaning her body against her father's as he wrapped his arms around her. "You want to go build a snowman?" he asked softly as he rubbed his hand up and down her back.

"Please." She replied softly as she nodded her head against his chest.

"Go put on your coat." He told her and she pulled away, throdding off to her bedroom to get a coat on. Edward leaned a little forward, putting his hands on my thighs. "You coming with us?" he asked, his thumbs brushing across my denim.

"Like I'd miss any part of anything she does," I replied softly as I put my hands on top of his, squeezing his hands softly.

"We're going to figure it out," he assured softly as he squeezed my thighs in return before pulling one hand away and reaching up to cup my cheek.

I sighed softly, shaking my head at Edward. "Yeah, we've been saying that since she was born, her aging isn't slowing down that much," I whispered, giving him a look that showed just how terrified I was.

"But it has slowed down significantly," Edward replied softly as he stood up, sitting down on the armrest of the couch, running his hand through my hair before cupping my cheek so that we were skin to skin. She's been five longer than any other age. He spoke silently so that our daughter wouldn't hear us.

I looked up at Edward, frowning. I wanted her to be little just for a little while longer. I replied softly as I let out another soft sigh.

Edward nodded in understanding as his lips pulled into a tight line for a moment. We knew this was going to be hard. We knew it from the start. He reminded me softly, his voice soft and gentle in my head.

I didn't think it would be this hard. I admitted softly as I shook my head. She's a few months old and she's already so big. I muttered silently as I lowered my gaze, leaning into Edward's touch on my cheek. This isn't how I wanted it. This isn't what I wanted for her.

I know, me neither. Edward agreed before wrapping his arms around me, pulling me against his chest while one hand came up to cradle my head against his chest.

We stayed like that for a moment before Delia came running into the living room, shrugging on her blue and white polka dot coat. "Daddy, let's go." She urged as she turned to the hallway that led to the front door. "Come on."

Both me and Edward chuckled as we pulled away from each other and stood up. "The snow won't run away from you princess," he called out as Delia ran out of the living room. He chuckled again before turning towards me. "Come on." he urged as he took my hand.

We followed our daughter outside and spent most of the day playing in the snow before heading to the main house to spend some time with the family. The following day came and we were all in the main house once again.

Delia was with Rosalie, doing her aunt's makeup and hair in Rosalie and Emmett's bedroom. Me and Edward sat in the living room with Carlisle and Jasper, the men watching a sports game like always.

"We got mail," Emmett called out as he walked into the living room, holding out a white envelope towards me. "It's the Volturi," he informed me.

I frowned, my whole body tensing up as I took the envelope. Carefully I opened it and looked at the two things inside. There was a card and a bracelet with the Cullen family crest on it. I fiddled with the bracelet while looking down at the card.

I so look forward to seeing the new Mrs. Cullen. I shall expect a visit within the next few months.

"What does it say?" Edward asked curiously as he raised his eyebrows at me.

I sighed, forcing the card back into the envelope. "Aro wants to see me within the next few months," I informed everyone before my gaze turned to my husband. "I'd rather do it sooner than later."

"I'll accompany you." Edward insisted as he nodded his head.

Immediately I shook my head in disagreement. "No, I have to go alone," I told him firmly.

Edward's eyebrows furrowed, a deep frown tugging at his lips. "Ana," he argued as he slowly shook his head.

I sighed deeply. "If he sees my mom or Lia in your thoughts, what do you think he'll do?" I questioned softly as I raised my eyebrows at him.

"They'll see Delia as a threat because they will not know what she is." Carlisle reasoned with Edward as he nodded in agreement with me. Edward didn't respond as he huffed softly, clenching his jaw. He was visibly upset with the idea but he could understand the reason.

Later that day, Delia sat on the ground, playing with building blocks while I sat on the couch, my attention divided between watching my daughter playing and the book I was reading. Edward is still at the main house with the family, watching the game with his father and brothers.

I smelled and heard Jacob approaching the cottage and Delia noticed him coming as well. She shot up to her feet and ran to one of the windows, peering out. "Mommy, Jakey is here!" she called out excitedly. Delia had a fondness for her uncle Jacob and Quill.

I got up and went to the back door, sliding it open for Delia. "Go say hi to him."I urged her as I nodded my head towards Jacob. Delia ran out of the house and right into Jacob's arms. He picked her up, settling her on his hip. "Jacob." I greeted as I approached.

"How are my favorite girls?" Jacob questioned as he raised his eyebrows, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

I crossed my arms over my chest, quirking an eyebrow at Jacob. "He's not here so there's no point in trying to antagonize him," I replied as I slowly shook my head.

Jacob rolled his eyes before raising his eyebrows at me. "Where is he?" he asked curiously as his head tilted to the side.

"Up at the house," I replied as I uncrossed my arms and placed them on my hips.

Jacob nodded his head at me before looking down at Delia. "I thought me and you could go up the mountain and watch the snow fall," he told her as he poked at her side.

"Can I ride on your back?" Delia asked softly as she raised her eyebrows at Jacob, her little head turning ever so slightly to the side.

Jacob gave Delia a playful blank look as he pursed his lips. "I'm a wolf, not a horse." he reminded her as he slowly shook his head. With a small pouty huff, Delia narrowed her eyes as she stared at Jacob. "Fine." he gave in with a sigh before looking at me. "You coming with us?"

I nodded my head before turning around and closing the backdoor to the house. "Edward would kill me if I left her alone with you in wolf form," I told Jacob as I walked back towards him and my daughter.

"Still doesn't trust me?" He questioned as he slowly lowered Delia onto her feet.

"He trusts you, mostly," I replied as I crossed my arms over my chest, shrugging my shoulders. "He just doesn't trust the other guy," I explained and Jacob replied with a roll of his eyes.

Jacob changed into wolf form and Delia got onto his back. Together we strolled up to the top of the mountain to watch the snowfall from up close. When we reached the top, Jacob changed back into his human form before joining me and Delia.

Delia was running around, using her more vampire side to jump and catch snowflakes. I watched her with a fond smile as she ran towards me, holding her hand out. "Look, a snowflake." She said excitedly.

I crouched down, cupping the back of her hand to look at the snowflake in her palm. "It's beautiful," I said softly before leaning forward and kissing her cheek. "Why don't you go get another one?" I suggested and Delia took off running. I stood up straight, glancing at Jacob. "Carlisle thinks that we'll find answers in Brazil. There are tribes there that might know something."

He nodded in understanding, but before either of us could say a word further, we were drawn to a presence in the distance. My head snapped over to the distinctively silent heart of a vampire. I swept forward to the edge of the mountain cliff, looking at the blonde a few yards away.

Before I could move towards the woman who I was certain was Irina from the Denali clan, she rushed off. With a small frown, I turned around and ran back toward Jacob and Delia, who stayed behind.

"Who was that?" Delia asked as she reached out and took my hand, looking up at me with raised eyebrows.

"I think that's our cousin from Denali," I muttered softly, my eyebrows furrowing as I looked in the distance where Irina had been for only a split moment.

"She left?" Delia asked in confusion as her head tilted to the side.

I nodded my head in confirmation. "Yeah, I think maybe Jacob spooked her," I explained and Jacob raised his eyebrows as I looked at him. "She's not really over Laurent," I explained further and Jacob's lips turned into an O shape as he nodded his head, yet looking unapologetic for what had happened.

"Well, I should get going then, in case she comes back," Jacob suggested and I nodded in agreement. He bends down, ruffling Delia's dark hair. "See you later," he said as he stood up straight, looking between me and Delia.

"Bye, Jakey," Delia called out, waving at Jacob as he ran off and turned into wolf form mid-run.

I held Delia's hand, walking back to the main house with her. I was troubled that Irina had run off before I could talk to her. I wish I could have at least attempted to talk things out with her, come to some sort of standing where this wasn't putting a rift between the clans any longer.

We arrived at the house, and Edward, along with Carlisle and Esme, were in the living room. Edward sat at the piano, playing around with the keys. Delia immediately ran to her father, settling down beside him.

Edward kissed the side of Delia's head before looking at me, immediately noting the conflicted feelings inside me. "Ana?" he questioned.

"I just saw Irina," I informed everyone as I leaned against the back of the couch, crossing my arms over my chest. "I was with Jacob and Lia," I added softly.

"What did she want?" Esme asked curiously as she raised her eyebrows.

I shook my head as I pursed my lips. "She ran off before I could get to her," I explained as I looked between everyone.

"I'll call Tanya, see what's going on," Carlisle replied as he took out his phone and walked out of the living room. We all listened to his side of the conversation as he talked to Tanya for a few moments before he returned to the living room. "Tanya convinced lrina to come reconcile with us," he explained.

"It looks like she changed her mind," Edward replied as he shrugged his shoulders before resting his elbow against the piano, his hand on the side of his neck.

"Seeing Jacob must have been too much for her," Esme suggested as she frowned a little.

I sighed softly, nodding in agreement. "Wish I could have just spoken to her," I muttered softly as I slowly shook my head.

"She's family. She'll come around." Carlisle assured as he nodded his head.

Everyone was silent for a moment before reaching his hand out and pressing one of the piano keys that was in front of Delia. The little girl immediately sat up straight and so did Edward as they began playing a song that Edward had taught her recently.

I stepped forward and sat down beside Delia on the piano bench, joining them as I played with my one hand, helping Delia with the keys. Esme and Carlisle lingered in the room, watching us with fond smiles.

Esme placed a hand over her chest, remembering when I first started playing the piano with Edward. She was proud of how much had changed since then.