Chapter Two: Welcome Home

Ages-
James Morgan: 4
Bella Cullen: 2
Edward Hale: 2
Emmett Cullen: 1
Jasper Hale: 1
Alice Cullen: 4 months
Rosalie Hale: 1 week

Timothy:

I sat quietly in the front seat of my truck thinking. I know my wife…and I know she's going to be upset. I've been married to her for five years, but I've known her for seven. I know everything about that woman to know what makes her tick. My unexplained absence from the hospital for the last four days will definitely make her tick.

The hospital doors slid open as the nurse rolled the wheelchair carrying my wife and daughter outside. I hopped out of the car, and opened the back seat. From the look on Christina's face, I knew I was right, she was upset. The ride back to our house will most likely be filled with arguing…mostly one-sided.

I extended my arms for Rose, "I'll put her in her car seat."
"Go screw yourself." She struggled to pull herself from the wheelchair while suffering from the pain of a caesarian section and holding our week-old daughter safely. After her C-section, her stomach still needed to heal. I could tell my wife was in major pain every time she made quick movements, but for the sake of starting another argument I decided to keep my reservations and concerns to myself.

Christina bit onto her bottom lip as she leaned low to place our sleeping infant in her car seat, "Where were you?" Her voice remained low in order to not wake Rosalie up from her slumber. She passed a gentle smile towards our infant as she strapped her in.

"What do you mean?"

She stood up straight and quietly closed the door, "I gave birth on Friday, July 4th. You came to visit the 5th and 6th, but after that you never came back…until today…a week later. The 11th Timothy!"

I buckled myself in as she struggled to situate her body in a position that didn't hurt. Occasionally during the ride, her hand would fly over her slightly large receding baby bump.
"I had to work."

I refused to look her way. The death glares she dish out towards anyone who upsets her is really nerve wrecking. The saying, 'if looks could kill,' applies perfectly to her death glare, which she proudly inherited from her mother and sister. It shouldn't even be if looks could kill, it should be if looks could slaughter.

"You're an accountant Tim." Christina spat, in a low murmur, "Do you want to see my driver's license because I'm pretty sure I wasn't born a week ago? Your firm has a policy for new parents! I'm a cop; I know how to get my answers from suspects." Christina gripped her seat belt and remained sitting forward. The bumpy road caused for more persistent pain to her C-section wound. Showing the pain on her face made her feel weak. In order to feel and remain strong, Christina used every fiber of her body to withhold the straight and unscathed face she used to feel in control, "Now, I'm going to ask you again, and I want an honest answer. Where were you for the last four days?"

My fingers gripped the steering wheel, "I already told you. I was working." I hated being treated like a suspect. I'm not a criminal. I'm a hard-working father, who wants to provide the best life for his children. I've never been to jail. I've never been arrested. I haven't even been pulled over for a speeding ticket.

When Christina felt she was right, in her mind she is. My wife was raised to believe in her gut instincts. After years of following them, they have never proven her wrong… and therefore her instincts have never given her a reason to question them. Christina's angered face remained angry. She sat forward and didn't bother looking my way. Her head nodded, as her fingers intertwined over her belly, "Okay."

"What do you mean by okay?"
"Okay Timothy, we'll drop it." Christina spat, leaning her head against the car window, "Today's a happy occasion. Today's going to be a good day. I'm not going to let you ruin it."

I pressed down gently on the brake as the yellow light turned red. Christina sighed, before glancing back in the rearview mirror at Rose sleeping. As she sharply inhaled, her eyes closed. She always felt comfort in watching our children sleep. It always reminded her that there was something right in the world. She opened and pulled her eyes away from the mirror and averted them back to the road.
"Christina-"

She shook her head, "I don't have to listen to what you have to say to see what's important to you. I see your priorities in your actions." Her hands flew in the air to cut me off when she saw my mouth open to speak and voice a response, "Timothy, since we met you're always disappearing. You take week-long business trips. When it's storming, you just say you're going to book a hotel so you don't have to drive in it. And when I take the kids to Maryland to visit my family, you're very adamant about staying. I'm not stupid…I wish you would give me some credit."

"I'm not doing what you think I'm doing."

Christina nodded her head and hopped out of the car once I placed it in park. She set her hand on her belly, before slamming the car door, "Get the baby." Her eyes squeezed shut as she walked up to our house. She was most likely trying to ignore the pain.

"Christina!" I called out, walking over to the baby's side. She came to a stop and glanced back at me, "I'm not having an affair. I love you too much to do that to you. After James' father cheated, why would I do the same?"

She nodded her head and passed me a genuine smile. Chris waited as I unstrapped the baby's car seat and pulled it out of my silver SUV truck.

Esme:

"Hang the banner there!"

Carlisle nodded as he lifted the banner up on one end, "Thomas, hang the other end as far as it can go. Make sure it's even and straight!" I rubbed my hands together and looked around.

Alice was currently asleep in her stroller. Jasper and Emmett were in the playpen playing around with the variety of toys the Hale children own. Tara's daughter Elizabeth or Liz, named after her grandmother, was playing with Edward and Bella. Clarissa was in the kitchen cooking and Elizabeth was straightening up the house. James spent the last three days with his father and step-mother, and should be on his way back home.
"Welcome home Chris and Rose." Crystal read the banner as she entered the house with her three sons. Her eldest son, five year old Eric raced into the house and immediately began playing with his Uncle CJ. Crystal's middle child, two year old Jackson waddled into the house holding his mother's hand, while her youngest son, ten month old Reed lay asleep in her arms.

Her eyes skimmed the room, "Oh good! I thought I was late." Crystal handed me Reed's blanket and waited as I spread it out along the couch. "Thomas where's Joshua?"
"With his mother."

Once Crystal lay Reed down onto the blanket, she sat up straight and rubbed her hands together, "Okay, what can I do to help?"

"You can help Tara blow up those pink and white balloons." I directed, shooing her towards Tara.
Clarissa exited the kitchen, "No. Crystal I need you to set the table."
"Actually," Elizabeth interrupted, walking towards Crystal, "I need you to watch Jasper and Emmett and make sure they don't get out of the playpen."

Clarissa's blonde hair flew to the side as she turned to face Elizabeth, "They're one. They won't be escaping a locked playpen."
"Timothy sure did escape it when he was one."

Clarissa approached her daughter, "Set the table sweetheart."

Crystal nodded her head before retreating into the dining room. Clarissa held her head up proudly and smiled at me and Elizabeth, "Carry on. They should be here any minute."

"Mommy's here!" Edward exclaimed, bouncing in front of the window.

My eyes grew wide as I looked around. The banner was raised perfectly. Pink and white balloons filled the hallway and living room. White streamers hung from window to window. Because Rosalie came a month early, we didn't get to throw Christina a baby shower. Now that she's here and coming home, I found it the perfect opportunity to throw my best friend the best baby shower with her one-week old daughter as the guest of honor.

Carlisle raced down the stairs, and glanced around the room until he spotted me, "It's all set."
"Great." I clasped my hands together, "Everyone get in here!"

Crystal scooped Jasper into her arms as Elizabeth picked up Emmett. I scooted everyone into the living room and prepped for when Timothy and Christina entered the house. My foot anxiously tapped against the carpeted floor as the front door slowly opened.
"Surprise!" we shouted in unison.

Christina came to a shocking stop as Timothy entered the house behind her with the car seat. I raced across the living room and pried the car seat from Timothy's hands, "Baby! Give me the baby!"

I set the car seat down onto the end table and unhooked Rosalie from her seat. I lifted the light weight baby and held her close in my arms, "Chris she's so small!" Rosalie's innocent green eyes bore trust into my own. That's the thing I love about babies. They don't know us, but they put all of their love and trust into us. Babies don't discriminate. They offer unconditional love. I glanced over Rose, and smiled at my own sleeping baby. It wasn't too long ago when Alice was this small.
"After a week, she's still light as a feather. Have you been feeding her?"
"Yeah, she eats as much as an animal." Christina replied, lightly covering her boobs with her left arm, "My boobs hurt just thinking about it."

Carlisle pried the baby from my arms, "I didn't get to hold her yet."

Christina entered her house and smiled, "Esme you did all of this for me?"
"Well, we did help too." Elizabeth voiced, pulling the cleaning gloves off of her hands.
"But, it was Esme's idea." Clarissa added, patting my back, "The food is almost ready."

"We have a surprise for you."

Christina turned to face me as I proudly smiled. She looked around the room at everyone staring at her, "This house looks amazing."

I grabbed her hand and pulled her up the stairs. Timothy and Carlisle, holding Rosalie, stuck close behind as I pulled her carefully down the hallway. I've never had a C-section, but everyone who has, told me how much pain it is to walk afterwards. I tried to be mindful of it as I excitedly led Christina down the hall.

Christina came to an abrupt stop as she entered the nursery, "Esme." She covered her mouth and looked around. Since Rose came early, they were not prepared to bring her home. Nothing was bought. Nothing was set up and put together. During the week, we all got together and created Rosalie's nursery.

The baby's room was fully equipped with everything she'll possibly need. Soft pink and cream white colors filled the room. Her nickname was written across the wall behind her crib.
"Thanks Esme." Timothy smiled in my direction.

Christina turned to face me, "It's perfect." She wrapped her arms around me and held me close. Usually I'm the one pulling Christina into a hug, and she's the one shouting protests. Now the roles are reversed, but I'm not shouting any complaints. I'm a hugger. I'll take them as they come.

Carlisle held the baby against his chest, "We should go back downstairs. Your mom fixed dinner and she has this house smelling really good."

My husband led the way out of the room. Christina's wrapped her arm around my waist, and relaxed her head against my shoulder, "I will never forget this Esme. Thank you."

My best friend was never the emotional one. She never really told anyone how she felt, unless it was anger and/or irritation. It really meant a lot to me that she's allowing her sentimental side to come out, when usually she keeps it locked away.

"You were seventeen weeks pregnant and experiencing the worst morning sickness. Your breasts were sore, you were tired, and you had back pains and you still managed to throw me the best baby shower ever." I replied, pulling her to a stop, "I will never forget that Chris."

She squeezed my hand gently before we continued on our quest back to the living room. I followed closely behind her as we trekked down the stairs. Carlisle no longer had Rosalie. Crystal did. And she was introducing the new baby to her three sons.

James raced through the front door, "Mommy! Mommy!"

Christina slowly eased her way down to hug her son. She closed her eyes and held him tight, "Hey little rascal! Did you have fun with your dad?"

"Yes. I missed you a lot though." James wrapped his arms tightly around his mom. He pecked her cheek and inhaled the sharp vanilla smell of her blonde hair, "And I missed Eddie and Jasper…and even baby Rose."

"They missed you too." A voice cleared and pulled Christina's eyes away from her eldest son. She averted her green eyes up to her ex-boyfriend and James' father, Garrett and his wife Kate.

Christina smiled as Kate pulled her into a civil hug. Garrett leaned forward and pressed a small kiss against his son's mother's cheek. "You bounce back quickly."

Christina shook her head, and raised her shirt slightly, "I disagree with that." She pointed towards her caesarian section scar, "Do you not see this scar? And the inflated belly. Who are you fooling Garrett? What do you want?"

"I can't be nice to the mother of my son?"
"Not without wanting something in return."

Garrett stuffed his hands into his front pockets, "Kate and I won't be able to pick James up for our next two visitation weeks."
"I'm not surprised." Clarissa voiced as she entered the living room. She crossed her arms and glared daggers into Garrett and his wife's eyes. Everyone knew Clarissa didn't like Garrett…and she really couldn't stand Kate. It was completely understandable. Garrett was married to Kate when he was seeing Christina…and when Christina found out, she was already pregnant and she and her mother raised hell. The first year of James' life was complete chaos…and was filled with lawsuits, custody hearings, child support hearings and one final blowout between Garrett and Timothy. "The difference between me and everyone else in this room is I won't pretend that I like you…either of you. You always cancel on your son."

"Mom-" Christina interrupted, pointing her head towards James, "Now is not the time."
"Go wash your hands for dinner James." Clarissa ordered, watching her grandson skip out of the living room, "You haven't seen your son for over a month, and then you pick him up for two days. Now, when Chris makes a schedule that fits you and her, you cancel and back out of it. You have got to be kidding me!" Clarissa's eyes scanned Kate, "I don't care what you have to do with your little family, but my grandson has been here for years and he isn't going anywhere. Either step up…or step out!"

"Dad please take mom out of here." Christina took a seat on the couch and ran her hand continuously through her hair. "Timothy go wash Edward and Jasper up for dinner." '

I looked to Carlisle wanting him to do the same with Bella and Emmett. As much playing as those two did, they were bound to have collected germs on their hands. I also wanted to help clear out the living room a little. I, on the other hand, was going nowhere. She needed my presence for support, whether she voiced it or not. And I needed to stay, just in case I had to play buffer.

Crystal placed the baby into her sister's arms, before leading her boys out of the room. Christina couldn't stay mad…not when her one week old daughter was looking up at her.

Garrett crossed the room, with Kate right beside him, "Is that her?" He took a seat next to Christina and smiled down at the baby, "She's gorgeous."

"Congratulations." Kate said, sitting opposite of Garrett.

"Why won't you be able to pick him up?"

"We're going to France and Ireland." Kate informed, grinning madly. She reached into her purse and pulled out two photos, "We're adopting an eight year old boy and a nine year old girl. His name is Laurent and her name is Margaret. We have pictures."

Kate has always had trouble getting pregnant. Recently she gave up even trying, and she and Garrett have now settled on adopting. They must have been thinking about it for a while…it seems to be finalized.
Garrett rested his hand against Christina's knee, "I can promise you that when we get back, we're going to pick James up so he can meet them."

"At least you're dropping your son for a reasonable reason." Christina replied, laying her baby against her chest. She pushed herself carefully up to her feet. "I'm going to tell you both one thing though. When your adopted children come, do not forget about your son who was already here. He may not be your child with Kate, but I refuse to allow you to treat him like a step-child. I am James' mother and as his mother, it is my job to protect him both physically and emotionally. And if either of you so much as cause a lip to quiver or a tear to drop on his face, I can promise you both, that neither of you will have a good outcome. I can promise you that if you mess with my child, I will fuck you up." She shrugged her shoulders and glared at the couple, "I'm a bit overly-protective of the people I care about."

"Dinner!" Clarissa's voice filled the house.
"You should be going." Christina passed the baby to me as she walked them to the door.

I followed closely behind to make sure everything remained okay. Once the door closed, she released a sigh of relief, and glanced at me through her curled blonde hair, "Was I too mean?"
"No, you weren't meaner than usual." I shrugged my shoulders before passing her back the baby.

"Hey, I'm not that mean!"
"You're just like your mother."
"I'm taking that as a compliment!"

A/N: Don't forget to review, review, review!

-Tiffany.