Tali: I'm not dead! Shocking, I know. I'm so sorry it's taken so long, but…this story is seriously fighting me. I've got seven and a half chapters written, so I'm going to start posting them. When I get to the seventh, I'll let you people help me out. We'll do this a la my "Choose Your Own Twilight" story but I won't give you options. I'll ask for suggestions and take the better ones that I feel I can work with and go from there. Does that make sense? Ok good. Here we go! Let me know what you think, my lovely readers. ;-)

Edward

"Bella?" I shouted, dropping my keys in the bowl by the front door and shrugging out of my coat. "Are you here?"

"In the kitchen," she called back.

I grinned and headed towards the back of the house where the kitchen was situated. I loved our house, but more than that, I loved sharing it with Bella.

Our first year living together, we'd found a tiny cramped apartment seemingly right under the El near the University and had lived there for the four years I'd spent in medical school. It had been convenient access for me to get to the hospital and the medical school and great for Bella to get to her college. Bella graduated with honors and decided to get a teaching certificate, so that added an extra year or so to her education. It was great being so near my parents so we were still here as I continued my education. I'd quickly settled on the ER for my Residency and was working hard on that. It meant long hours and crazy shifts, but it was also good to feel like I was actually helping people in the moment.

We'd gotten married after two years of engagement, something Bella's parents had insisted on. That had surprised everyone since they were so upset at our living together without being married. I guess they thought we'd eventually get over it or something but nothing doing. My girl was like a dog with a bone when it came to me.

She looked up when I entered the kitchen and smiled. Her hair was curling around her face from the heat and her cheeks were flushed pink. She was wearing a gorgeous blue dress with a knot in the front that showed off her breasts fantastically and a pair of black high heels that accentuated her legs in just the right way. "Hey you, how was your shift?"

I grunted and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her to me and burying my face in her hair. She slipped her arms around my neck and kissed me awkwardly. "That bad?"

I sighed and released her, settling on a barstool at the island and accepting the beer she offered. "Not exactly. Just exhausting. There's supposed to be a huge blizzard coming through so we were stocking up for the shift that's there when it hits."

"Are you on that shift?" she asked carefully, not looking at me.

I rubbed my face. "No, thankfully. I'm off for the next three days."

She nodded and beamed. "Good. I've got some plans for you, Dr. Cullen." She looked at me with that sexy smile I loved so much and I grinned. I couldn't wait to see what they were.

"Oh you do?" I played along. "Do they involve whatever it is you're cooking?"

She laughed and nodded. "Yes, food is definitely part of it." She checked her watch. "You have about an hour before part one so you have time to run up and take a quick nap and a shower if you want."

"Will you join me for one or both?"

She rolled her eyes. "No, I've got shit to do here. Now go."

I made a pouty face that sometimes worked but apparently, this was not one of those times. I drained my beer, then stood up and pulled her into a hug, kissing her wetly just because I knew she didn't like it, and headed upstairs.

Our house wasn't huge, just two stories with a finished basement and no attic, but we had three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. The bottom floor had the half bath, a large eat-in kitchen, an enclosed porch, a living room and a dining room. Upstairs were two bedrooms and another bathroom along with the master suite. It was an older home, a Victorian, and we'd bought it partially refinished. The kitchen and master suite had been done before the previous owner ran out of money and gave up. Bella loved the awkward clashing of old and new so we had left it as it was.

I stripped out of my scrubs and stepped into the giant shower, closing my eyes and slowly letting my muscles relax under the hot spray. I braced my arms on the wall and lowered my head, letting the water trickled down my back. Fuck I was tired but even still, seeing Bella like that made me…tense. I fought the urge to rub one out. I was 28 years old for fucks sake. I should be able to handle this once in a while.

"Edward."

I jumped and turned. Bella was standing in the shower behind me. I hadn't heard her come into the bathroom, let alone noticed her climbing into the shower with me.

"Hey," I muttered, feeling guilty.

She smiled and shook her head. "You are so busted."

I pushed my wet hair out of my face and grinned at her. "Well, if you hadn't been looking so completely adorable…" I trailed off and let my eyes travel up and down her body.

She rolled her eyes and stepped forward, lifting her face for a kiss. I obliged her, putting my hand on her shoulders and pulling her forward slightly. She smiled against my mouth and her hands wrapped around my erection. I groaned softly as she ran her fingers up and down the shaft, lightly at first then more firmly.

"You don't know what you're doin'," I groaned softly.

She laughed and looked up at me, her eyes darker than usual. "I know exactly what I'm doing."

Sweet Jesus did she. Five years of marriage and this woman could still work miracles with her hands and mouth when it came to my body. She pressed a kiss against my chest, winked, then carefully climbed out of the shower. I grinned and shook my head. God I loved that woman.

Bella

I knew Edward needed a little one on one time when he hugged me and Mr. Happy poked me in the hip. I slipped into our room and quickly undressed, clipping my hair up before climbing into the shower behind him.

He was standing with his hands braced on the wall, his head down. As I took a moment to appreciate the back of my husband, one hand left the wall and hesitantly started towards Mr. Happy.

"Edward."

He turned around then, looking like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Hey."

I grinned. "You are so busted."

He ran his fingers through his hair and grinned at me, his eyes darkening as he leaned down towards me. "Well, if you hadn't been looking so completely adorable…"

I suppressed a laugh. He was always trying to be seductive and suave and hardly ever achieved it when he wanted to. He was typically unintentionally seductive and only occasionally suave. I stepped forward with the full intention of driving him completely crazy. I wrapped my hands around Mr. Happy and his eyes rolled back into his head as I started to stroke him.

"You don't know what you're doin'."

I laughed softly and caught his eye. I stepped closer to him, pulling his head down low so I could whisper in his ear. "I know exactly what I'm doing." I lightly bit his earlobe and he groaned, walking us backwards towards the small bench installed in the shower. It held most of our shower items, body wash, shampoo, conditioner. He knocked it all onto the floor of the shower and sat down, pulling me onto him immediately.

I groaned softly, then leaned forward and kissed him again, sucking on his tongue lightly as he pulled me against him. I spread my thighs a little more to pull him into me deeper and he grinned at me.

"Fuck you're beautiful." I laughed and he laughed with me. "I love how it feels when you laugh. Keep it up."

I grinned and leaned into his neck, licking and nibbling my way down to his collarbone. I kissed the hollow at the base of his throat and he groaned. I raised my head, feeling him tensing below me. I wanted to see the expression on his face. I loved that moment where he completely lost control. It hadn't gotten old after seven years and I wondered if it ever would.

His eyebrows scrunched up and his eyes just barely stayed open as they locked with mine. I grinned as he shuddered, his body spasming against mine.

I rested my forehead against his and smiled. "I love you."

"I love you too," he panted against my face. I kissed his nose and carefully pulled my body away from him. I helped him up from the bench and pushed him back under the spray. I'd managed to stay relatively dry in my shower activities but I still patted myself down with a towel before pulling my clothes back on. Our guests would be here soon and I still had a lot to do.

I checked the guest rooms before making my way back downstairs. I was nervous and excited and totally unprepared. Well, not totally, but not as prepared as I wanted to be. I had the table set and the guest rooms were ready, but the food wasn't completely.

I made my way back into the kitchen to check on the state of the meat and everything else before retreating to the living room. I had papers to grade and I wasn't very far along.

I heard the shower cut off and then the sounds of Edward moving around for a little bit before the house went silent. After ten minutes of deafening silence, I got up and turned on the stereo, playing classical quietly while I worked.

It was hard to focus since I wasn't terribly interested in grading 100 papers on The Scarlet Letter from my Junior AP classes or the papers on Jane Eyre from my Senior classes. Why I had to teach those books when I hated them, I didn't really get but there it was.

I trudged through two before giving up and going to wake up Edward. He was sprawled on the bed, taking up the majority of it like he typically did. I grinned and crawled onto the bed beside him, snuggling up to his side. He slipped his arms around me and rubbed his face on mine, lightly abrading my skin with his stubble.

"Time to get up," I crooned softly.

He grunted but didn't say anything. He buried his nose in my hair and tightened his grip.

"Come on, part one of my plans for you is taking place in t-minus twenty minutes, or something like that."

"Come on mom, just a few more minutes."

I laughed softly and pushed against his chest. "No, now. You can sleep late tomorrow I promise but now you have to get up."

He moaned against my hair before releasing me. "Fine. I'll rise but I won't shine."

"Oh, you'll shine alright. I'll have your ass if you don't," I threatened with a laugh.

He stuck his tongue out at me as he rolled out of bed. "You already have my ass, Cullen."

I grinned and climbed out myself. "Dress somewhat nicely. No ripped jeans or holey t-shirts."

"You hide all my clothes with unnecessary holes," he grumbled.

"You know you love me for it."

He rolled his eyes but grinned. The doorbell rang and I grinned back. "Apparently part one is early. See you downstairs in a bit."

He nodded and I kissed him lightly before heading out the door, pulling it shut behind me.

Edward

I loved waking up with Bella in my arms. It was really the best part of waking up, Folger's be damned. I pulled on a green sweater I knew she loved and some nicer blue jeans before pulling on some socks and tennis shoes. Apparently we were having company and I felt awkward being barefoot with company.

I ducked into the bathroom to check the status of my face and hair. Hair was crazy, but that wasn't something I could remedy in a short amount of time. Same with the stubble on my chin. I hadn't shaved in nearly two days so it was pretty heavy. I turned my head from side to side, wondering how Bella would feel about me growing a beard.

I opened the door and started down the hallway. I could hear muffled voices from downstairs and the laughter of children. I grinned, immediately recognizing a booming laugh. I picked up the pace, practically running down the last few stairs. I turned the corner into the living room and was met with a great sight.

Emmett and Rose and their daughter Gwen and Alice and Jasper and their boys, Harrison and William were seated around the room. The kids were in the middle of the room, playing with toys that Bella kept on hand for them.

"What's this? A reunion without me?" I joked.

Rose turned and grinned at me. "We've been waiting but apparently someone feels like he needs some beauty sleep." She gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "It's not working, by the way. You look like poo."

I raised an eyebrow. "Poo?"

"Little ears and all that jazz," laughed Emmett, pulling me into a hug and pounding on my back hard enough to just about knock the wind out of me. "How the heck are you Cullen?"

"I'm good," I laughed, turning to hug Alice. "How are all of you?"

"We're great," Alice beamed at me, somehow stopping Harry from grabbing something off a table without turning. "Busy with work but great."

I nodded and swung Will up into the air, making growling noises against his neck. He squealed excitedly, grabbing my hair in his fists and pulling.

"He's a grabber," warned Jasper with a laugh.

I grinned and carefully extracted my hair from his fists. "Thanks, I figured that out." I swung Will up onto my shoulders and saw that Bella was holding Gwen on her hip, talking to her and showing her how to use some of the toys. Gwen was just a year old and her motor skills weren't quite in step with the boys, who were two and five.

My heart broke a little, watching Bella with Gwen. She wanted a baby so badly and we'd been trying for over two years now with no luck. She looked up and caught my eye and my heart broke a little more when I saw that she was holding back tears.

"So what brings you all to town?" I asked, turning to the others.

"Thanksgiving, of course," laughed Rosalie. "It's tomorrow."

"Shit, really?"

Alice slapped me and I winced. "Sorry. But really? Tomorrow's Thanksgiving?" That meant that Bella's birthday was Saturday and I had jack-shit for her. At least I was off that day.

"Yes," Bella laughed, handing Gwen to Rose. "We're joining everyone at Cassie and Carl's like normal. I'm not sure where she's going to put everyone this year but we'll see."

Alice laughed and picked up Harry. "We'll probably have two tables."

"So why are you two here?" I asked Emmett in confusion. "Shouldn't you be with one of your own families? I mean, I'm glad you're here, but isn't this usually a family holiday?"

Emmett grinned. "My parents opted to spend the holiday in Barbados this year since I have to work Friday anyway. We'll be heading out pretty fast after dinner."

I nodded and grinned. "Well, it'll be good to have you. How's the internship going?"

"Let's eat," laughed Bella. "We can split up into groups and gossip later but we should feed these kiddos so we can put them down to sleep."

She led the way into the dining room and I carefully removed Will from my shoulders before following the rest of them. Apparently, each family had its own little travel high chair thing so the kids were all set. Bella carefully served the pork loin and all the sides that went with it. I watched her as she volunteered to take care of Harry while Alice took over feeding Will. She was such a good mom, cutting the pork into small pieces, giving him lots of potatoes since she knew he liked them, giving him just a little broccoli with the sauce he'd eat poured generously over it. He obviously loved Bella and flirted with her through the whole meal, eating and talking animatedly with her the whole time.

The conversation was easy enough. Emmett was doing his internship in Springfield and Rose was currently a stay at home mom. Alice and Jasper still lived in Decatur in the house, my old room their master suite. Alice worked in town while Jasper commuted into Springfield daily for his job.

"Mm, Bella, this is wonderful."

"Thank you," she smiled, blushing pink with pleasure. "I'm glad you're enjoying it all."

"You would not believe who I saw the other day," exclaimed Alice excitedly. "Mike Newton! He's the new teacher at the high school or something." She looked at Bella slyly. "He asked about you."

Bella choked on her water. "And?"

Alice grinned. "I told him you were still unavailable."

"How'd he take it."

Alice took a sip of her water to hide her smile. "Surprisingly well. He sends his best but wanted you to know that if you're ever available, he's interested."

"Fat chance of that," she muttered, stabbing her broccoli viciously. "Who wants dog food when you can have steak?" I hid a grin behind my beer. Atta girl.

Bella

I was exhausted. I loved our friends and I loved having them over, but I was just worn out. Plus, having all the kids around was like a small knife to my heart as further proof that I was still childless. We'd put them all down to sleep and then split into groups, the men in the living room, the women in the kitchen. I poured wine for the women and Edward grabbed the beers for the men. We chatted for seemingly hours catching up with each other. Everyone was fairly settled and enjoying their lives and their children.

Around midnight, they finally gathered their children and belongings and left, calling goodbyes and promises to have us for dinner sometime soon in both Decatur and Springfield. I watched with a small ache in my throat as they buckled the children in. Edward came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me, kissing my hair comfortingly. I hugged his arms and leaned back against his chest, raising a hand in farewell as the others drove off.

"It'll be our turn soon, I promise," he murmured.

I sighed and shook my head. "I'm beginning to wonder about that, Edward," I said quietly. "Maybe we should adopt."

"If that's what you want to do, I'll talk to the social worker at the hospital."

I was quiet. "I want a baby. I want one of my own but an adopted child would be my own."

He nodded and rubbed my arms. I nodded again and started towards the kitchen. We'd talked about adoption before but decided to wait a little to see if we were going to actually have one of our own first. I turned on the tap to fill the sink with hot water and Edward wordlessly helped by bringing in the dirty dishes.

"Go to bed, sweetie," I said finally. "I'll get this. You've been on your feet for hours."

"I'm fine," he protested. "That little nap and shower earlier helped a lot."

I shook my head and laughed softly. "Just go. I think I'll soak these tonight and wash up tomorrow. I'm exhausted myself."

"I'll wait with you." He poured the last of the wine into two glasses and set one beside me. "I feel like I don't see you much."

I smiled and carefully stacked the china in the second sink, filling that with water as well. "You don't much. Your schedule isn't exactly conducive to a well-rounded relationship at home."

"Low blow Cullen," he chided.

I shrugged and picked up my glass, draining it before rinsing it out and setting it on the counter. "I just call 'em like I see 'em, doc."

He set his glass down beside mine and slipped his arms around my waist. "Well, I'm definitely willing to set up an appointment to get to know my wife better if she's available."

I grinned and leaned into him. "I think I could be persuaded."

He leaned down and kissed my neck, his hands slipping down and pulling my skirt up as he slid his hands up my legs.

"Do you make house calls?" I managed as his fingers slipped under my panties and made contact with my skin.

"I might for special patients." He pulled the strap of my dress down and kissed my bare shoulder. I hooked my hands on the waistband of his jeans but was interrupted from undoing them by the doorbell. Edward growled low in his throat and I laughed softly, stepping back and adjusting my clothes.

"It's probably Emmett or Jasper. I'll bet they forgot something," I laughed, moving towards the door. Edward made a face at my back as I left the kitchen.

I opened the door and froze. A tired looking woman with dark blond hair and brown eyes wearing a ratty red coat over a pair of equally worn blue jeans was standing in the door with a little girl beside her. The little girl looked half asleep and was clutching a shabby stuffed animal to her chest. She was wearing a pink raincoat and what looked like gray fleece pants and pink crocs.

"Can I help you?" I asked curiously.

"Is this where Edward Cullen lives?" asked the woman nervously.

"Yeah. Edward, come here a second."

"What's up?" he asked, coming into the foyer with a dish towel in his hands. He stopped, stunned, when he saw the woman. "Tanya?"

"Edward," she looked relieved. "Oh thank god. I need you to take her. I'm going to Thailand for a while and my parents aren't available."

"Take who?" He looked as confused as I felt.

"Your daughter, Edward. Katie."