I wasn't paying so much attention

I glared at him frostily. "I would never."

Jasper's frown caught my attention; he seemed even more disturbed than before.

Edward touched his fist lightly to Jasper's shoulder in a mock punch. "You see what I mean?"

"It's not natural," Jasper muttered.

"She could have turned on you—she's only hours old!" Esme scolded, putting her hand against her heart.
"Oh, we should have gone with you."

I wasn't paying so much attention, now that Edward was past the punch line of his joke. I was staring at
the gorgeous child by the door, who was still staring at me. Her little dimpled hands reached out toward
me like she knew exactly who I was. Automatically, my hand lifted to mimic hers.

"Edward," I said, leaning around Jasper to see her better. "Please?"

Jasper's teeth were set; he didn't move.

"Jazz, this isn't anything you've seen before," Alice said quietly. "Trust me."

Their eyes met for a short second, and then Jasper nodded. He moved out of my way, but put one hand
on my shoulder and moved with me as I walked slowly forward.

I thought about every step before I took it, analyzing my mood, the burn in my throat, the position of the
others around me. How strong I felt versus how well they would be able to contain me. It was a slow
procession.

And then the child in Rosalie's arms, struggling and reaching all this time while her expression got more
and more irritated, let out a high, ringing wail. Everyone reacted as if—like me—they'd never heard her
voice before.

They swarmed around her in a second, leaving me standing alone, frozen in place. The sound of
Renesmee's cry pierced right through me, spearing me to the floor. My eyes pricked in the strangest way,
like they wanted to tear.

It seemed like everyone had a hand on her, patting and soothing. Everyone but me.