This was my original teaser for the fanfic. Though it no longer reflects the storyline, the scene was too cute to scrap.

Ocean's Edge

Young Evie Cullen squealed with delight as she ran through the tall trees as fast as her feet could carry her. The soft grass tickled her bare ankles as she pattered through the woods. The faint rays of the sun filtered through the leafy canopy and splashed across her long, golden-brown hair. She frequently looked over her shoulder and giggled at the sight of her canine pursuer following closely behind her.

"Come on, Jacob!" she called as they broke out of the woods and their feet met the long stretch of wet sand leading to the waters edge. The werewolf barked in amusement and quickened his stride until he was at the young girl's side.

Evie stopped and stared ahead at the waves as they rolled in one after another. A lump formed in her throat and she struggled to swallow. She looked at Jacob nervously, who returned her stare with a look of understanding. He barked again and ran back into the woods, his form disappearing behind the dense clump of bushes and trees.

After a few moments he emerged back into the open, human and clad in swimmers trunks. He walked over to Evie and squatted down to eye level. "You don't have to be scared, Evie. I'm right here." He reassured her.

Evie gulped again and nodded her head bravely before turning her face back to the restless body of water that awaited them both.

Jacob smiled as he watched Evie gather her courage. She was only 5 years old, but she was already conquering the world one fear at a time. Jacob had seen that same fire and determination in Evie's eyes that he had witnessed so often with her mother Bella. They were both fearless, bold, brave, determined... they could conquer anything.

Eve Cullen was definitely her mother's daughter.

Jacob truly thought at one point in his life that he was in love with Bella Swann. He realized now how ridiculous and childish he had been. Part of it could probably be blamed on rebellion. When he came of age and began to change, he was scared. He thought that his love for Bella might somehow save him from becoming who he was: a werewolf. He thought that if he could devote his heart to someone of his own free will, that part of him could somehow stay human. And she was amazing, smart, beautiful... perfect in every way.

Little did he want to admit, however, that Bella's heart had already been won.

Edward Cullen was his natural enemy. The cold ones, the blood-drinkers. Vampires. He had been told the tales over and over ever since he was a young boy. The presence of the Cullen Family had invoked the change for Jacob and the others in his pack, and for many years he harbored resentment towards the family. He resented Edward the most, blaming him for everything important in his life disappearing: a normal life, and the object of his affection.

He fought fate tooth and nail until the bitter end, until the day Bella pledged her heart away forever. Clad in a tux he stood off to the side and watched his beloved become Mrs. Edward Cullen. He had thought that his life was over at that moment.

That was before a miracle happened.

Evie's green eyes shimmered with determination as she nodded her head calmly. "Let's go, Jake!" she announced bravely. She sucked in a gulp of air and put one small foot forward in preparation to charge.

Jacob took her hand and walked with her to the water. A wave brought the edge of the water closer and Evie giggled as the water splashed against their legs. Jake slowly guided her out until the water rose up to her waist. "Okay, you ready to go?" Jake asked her. Evie nodded again and Jake dipped down so she could wrap her tiny arms around his neck.

He carried her piggyback to where the water was calmer, and he kept a strong grip on her hand as she slid into the water and began to kick her legs. He held her above the water as he showed her how to float on her back. He let her try on her own, then panicked when a wave hit and knocked her head underwater.

"Evie, you're okay! You're okay!" He assured her as she broke the surface coughing and sputtering. He patted her on the back as she used the back of her hand to rub at her eyes furiously. He fought back a laugh when she clamped both hands around his arm in a death grip. "Hey, come on. Where did that brave face go?" he asked her.

"What if I go under again?" Evie's voice trembled.

"Then I'll just pull you right back up." Jacob answered.

"You promise?" she whimpered.

"Do you really think I'd let anything hurt you?" he asked her.

Evie shook her head and offered Jake a small smile. She slowly loosened her grip and jumped back into the water.

Jake held her up as she practiced moving her arms and legs, and in a matter of minutes she was swimming by herself. She giggled happily as she dove in and out of the waves like a fish. "Look Jake! I did it! I did it!" she squealed as she splashed along.

Jake let her go, staying close enough to get to her if anything went wrong. He smiled with pride and looked up towards the escarpment that jutted out a good seventy feet overhead.

From the edge of the cliff, two marblesque figures watched the young girl's triumph with knowing smiles. The man draped a pale arm around the woman's shoulder as she sighed happily.

"Would you look at them?" Bella whispered in awe.

"I still don't see why I couldn't teach her to swim." Edward pouted.

"Are you kidding? 'No, Jake's gotta take me! I want Jake to take me swimming!'" Bella imitated Evie and laughed. "Those two are inseperable. Besides... she couldn't be safer."

"True, Bella." Edward nodded in agreement. "But it's different now. Right now he's her protector... her friend... but she won't be a child forever. How will the imprint effect us all then?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, Edward." Bella replied as she brushed a lock of his bronze hair behind his ear and planted a kiss on his temple. "All that matters is that she's happy. That's all we can ask for."

As the sun crept behind the horizon, the final rays glimmered off of their alabaster skin. There was no need to speak another word. Tomorrow was just that... tomorrow.

"Mommy! Daddy!" A small voice called to them.

"Hey angel!" Edward called down to her. "Look at you! You're a little mermaid now, aren't you?"

Jake smiled up at Edward and Bella. "Come on down here, you two!" he called out to them.

"Yeah! Come swim with me!" She begged as she expertly showed off her backstroke.

"Okay honey, we'll be right dow - Bella!" Edward suddenly screamed as his wife dove off of the cliff and into the water. He sighed and chuckled to himself as she surfaced and looked up at him impatiently. "Some things never change." he muttered to himself before he stepped off the edge to join his family below.