Those days were changing us.

And so rapidly.

Even the ones that I thought I knew most. However, as soon as Alice left, nothing was the same. I should’ve known.

It was there; brewing underneath Carlisle’s composure, under Emmett’s energetic grin. And then there were the ones, myself for instance, who did not bother to conceal the urgency of the crisis.

Edward was different. So different from his usual self. In the past he would maintain his emotions in check, often to spare me. Right now his carefully designed mask was slipping more and more.

Perhaps it was the last time we would be able to feel certain passions.

I’ve spent so much time, throwing rocks at your window

That I never even knocked on the front door.

Emmett didn’t argue upon seeing the expression on Edward’s face.

Once Renesmee was in bed Edward followed me to the living room of the small but cozy cottage nestled in the forest a few ways from the recently populated white house.

“Can’t you see that I need you?” His voice sounded more muffled than velvety from behind. His hands curled around my waist, though I couldn’t feel the familiar chill anymore. If I had been able to cry still I would have broken down already. There were so many reasons I could give him for the strained look on my face too.

Edward twisted his head over my shoulder as he caught that expression. “What’s the matter?” He asked and I could tell that he had cast his own needs aside to tend to mine.

“Renee.” I mumbled, avoiding his eyes. “I was thinking about her today.” Of course, it wasn’t a lie. It was just not the only reason for my sorrow.

Edward merely tightened his embrace, planting a lingering kiss on the top of my head and I could clearly imagine how his eyes would close, his brow furrow with torture or pain. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t know how to answer.

Edward’s lips darted to my nape and I knew that his longing was still fervent amidst the despair. The fact that our skin temperatures matched now still felt strange to me and I grinned as he nuzzled his face against my neck, tickling me. I reached my arm around to stroke the back of Edward’s head.