Bella yawned as they made their way up the Cullen's long driveway. Not only was Forks a dreary town, but it was the time of year where days was shorter and nights were longer. Still, faithfully, every Tuesday night was a visit with Edward's parents. It had become a tradition once they married and moved out on their own, and it had continued right on without fail.

She glanced in backseat to see Ali watching intently out the window into the dark woods, the look of wonder in her chocolate brown eyes matching that of Bella's in her younger days. She was quick to ask questions, and Bella knew if she weren't getting sleepy, she'd be tossing out as many as her little brain could think up.

Masen slept peacefully in his car seat. He was a force to be reckoned with if woken up before he was ready. She looked down to see her hand intertwined with Edward's resting on the console of his SUV. The tiny reminder of the love they shared moving gently in her stomach, making itself known as to not be outdone by an older brother and sister. She had everything she needed within the confines of that vehicle.

Edward pulled the SUV to a stop in front of his parent's large home. "You sure you feel up to this? We could have stayed home, gotten to bed early, looks like they are just about out."

"No," Bella replied quickly. "It'll be nice to let your family chase them for a while." She hated to admit it, but sometimes she looked forward to visiting because she knew there would be plenty of eager hands waiting to help.

Edward smiled. "Now that I agree with."

Edward and Bella quickly exited the car, each going to their side of the backseat to get a child. It was a routine they fell into without question now. Bella helped Ali get out of her car seat, while Edward removed a cranky Masen from his seat. The small boy quickly laying his head on his Father's shoulder and falling back to sleep.

"Hey guys!" Carlisle exclaimed as he walked onto the large porch followed by Esme. As always, they had been waiting for their arrival patiently. "Anything we can help you with?"

"Yeah," Edward began. "Could you grab Masen's diaper bag out of the back. I don't have a free hand here." Before his sentence was complete, Carlisle was doing just as he asked.

"Eema!" Ali said happily. Esme scooped the little girl up and gave her a big hug. Nothing brought them more happiness than spending time with their grandchildren. They brought a much-needed breath of life into the Cullen home. Something that had gone missing after Edward moved out and onto his own. "It is so good to see you, sweetheart," she told the little girl.

"Bella, you look great!" Reaching out to touch her daughter-in-law's growing tummy, she beamed with pride. "Almost halfway now, huh! Aren't you 20 weeks next week?" She could tell Bella was tired, exhausted even. She didn't want to press the issue though. Bella had insisted she was fine and could function without any help. That was how it would remain until she expressed otherwise.

"That's right," Bella nodded. Truth was, it was hard for her to keep up day to day with this pregnancy. So much had been uncertain in the beginning that she was hesitant to take any milestone for granted. It would hurt too much if something happened. "We go for our ultrasound next week. I guess we'll find out what we're having. Of course, I'm sure Alice could tell us….if she would."

"No need to ruin one of life's surprises for you, " Esme smiled. "If you'd like me to watch the children that day for you guys, I certainly can!"

Bella smiled an appreciative smile at her Mother-in-law. She often wondered if Esme and Carlisle lived in fear of their life becoming too complicated for Edward. If perhaps they feared that one day Edward would decide it was too much and decide to move them to Jacksonville to be near Renee, or suggest it was time for the Cullen's to relocate, or something else altogether. For now, if worry was there, it remained unspoken.

"It will take from now until the baby arrives for Edward to get the crib together," Bella teased. Her husband had a knack for getting distracted very easily. Especially if he was bored with whatever task he had been given.

"They never sleep in the crib anyway," Edward retorted.

"Masen did," Bella shot back. She couldn't help but smile when Edward flashed her one of his signature looks that was reserved only for her.

Edward smiled as he followed Bella and his parents into their home. "Masen slept in his crib in self defense. It is not easy sharing a bed with you and Ali. You move constantly." He watched as Bella playfully rolled her eyes. "At least Ali is getting better. She only sleeps with us about half the week now." Sharing a bed with his wife, and sometimes daughter, only confirmed for Edward that his family had it much better off not requiring sleep.

"Well no matter if the baby sleeps in the room or not," Esme joined in. "The baby has to have a crib. The room won't be complete without it." Her decorating wheels spinning already. The sound of Ali shrieking with laughter as Emmett tossed her tiny body up in the air and caught her pulled Bella & Edward from their playful banter. Before she gave Emmett yet another "Be gentle with her." speech, Edward was already on it.

"Emmett, be careful with her," Edward said sternly. "I've told you before." He didn't want to hurt his brother's feelings, but when it was his little girl in question, he didn't mind stepping on a few toes.

"Oh he's not going to do anything to hurt her, Edward." Rosalie chimed in as she gracefully made her way down the stairs.

"Rose, don't start," Edward replied. There was always a bit of tension between the siblings, but love was there. She didn't agree with every decision he had made, but that was for her to deal with. The children, much as they had with everyone else, stole her heart immediately.

"Come here, Ali," Rosalie smiled. "I'm stealing you before Aunt Alice gets her hands on you." She and Alice had many fights in the past over who got to spend more time with Ali. It was a relief when Masen came along to even the score a bit. "I got you something."

"What?" Ali asked with wide eyes.

Bella watched with dread as Rosalie whispered something into Ali's little ear. There was absolutely no telling what this something was seeing as how Ali's face lit up immediately. It couldn't be good. They had been through a puppy, a paint set, and makeup when it came to Rosalie's gifts. All three just as messy as the other, and all three enough to drive Edward crazy. Bella swore Rosalie did those things on purpose. Still, she did love the relationship Rosalie had with her children. She knew Rosalie would protect them at all costs.

Alice noticed Masen beginning to stir a bit and lift his head from Edward's shoulder. Without asking her brother, she quickly took the little boy into her arms and sat down with him on the couch. She gave him an apple slice Esme had prepared in a little dish on the table in front of her, and watched as he took it into his chubby hand and plopped the whole slice into his mouth. "No, Masen," Alice laughed. "Small bites!"

She felt Jasper sit down next to them, reaching out to take the small boy's hand in his own. Jasper had come a long way since they had taken Edward in years ago. She was proud of him. Jasper would never admit it, but Masen was his favorite. He understood the little boy's adventurous ways and was comfortable with him.

Edward, busy discussing the latest happenings at the hospital with Carlisle, couldn't help but take notice of Bella rubbing her growing tummy. "He moving?"

"Or she is," Bella smiled back. "Ali, the baby is kicking." Every time she felt the least bit of movement, she had to announce it, or Ali would be greatly offended. She insisted on feeling her baby move.

Rosalie quickly put the little girl down and watched her sprint to Bella as fast as her little legs could carry her. Bella took her small hand and placed it on the side of her stomach, waiting for her reaction. "You feel it?"

"Yes!" Ali laughed. "The baby is moving!"

No matter how many times she got to feel it, she always had the same reaction. Bella found it funny, and often wondered if she would have as much enthusiasm when the baby started getting into her room and toys like Masen did. Battles of epic proportion took place in their home whenever Masen dared to enter her room. Or even worse, pick up any toy that belonged to her.

"Do you mind if I feel?" Esme asked sweetly.

"Not at all."

"That is amazing!" Esme smiled. "Alice, come quick, you have to feel. Carlisle…"

Emmett kept his place on the couch, laughing as the family surrounded his sister-in-law. "Now you're the freak, Bella. How does it feel?" He grinned as Bella shot him a look.

"I think it is a boy," Carlisle announced. "How about you, Alice?"

"Don't even try it."

__

The dim light from the TV was all that illuminated the Cullen's large living room. The movie the family had decided on was ending, and several members of the family had lost their battle with sleep.

Alice watched Bella sleeping soundly in the large chair with her brother. Edward was holding a sleeping Ali, who looked identical to her Mother. It was amazing how much they looked alike, especially when they were asleep. Edward kept a protective arm around Bella while he held their sleeping angel. Every now and then, she caught him placing soft kisses atop Ali's little head. It was such a perfect picture.

For that reason, the visions she had experienced over the past few days made her more uneasy than ever. She couldn't place them, and they held little known meaning to her. It was incredibly frustrating.

She tried to brush them aside as she adjusted Masen in her lap. The little boy was fighting sleep, much like Edward did as a small child. She assumed there was just too much for them to see and do to want to sleep. She gently rocked back and forth where she sat as Masen placed his little head on her shoulder. "There you go," Alice whispered. "Get some sleep, sweetheart."

No matter how hard she tried, she could not shake the feeling of dread that kept washing over her. She tried to focus on anyone, anything. She tried watching the peaceful scene before her. Her parents and all they had worked so hard for. What they had all worked so hard for.

Alice allowed Jasper to take Masen as her thoughts consumed her once again. It wasn't a new vision, per se; it was just a reflection of some disturbing ones she had experienced recently. Surely, the worry about Bella in previous months had aggravated this. She had promised herself she would not focus on anything of this nature. She would allow her brother and sister-in-law to experience everything they should experience and would experience without the interference of having vampires for family members.

Still, the memories from previous visions kept flooding her mind. She could not shake the image of Bella sobbing uncontrollably. But why? Why was her sister-in-law crying so hard, almost like she was in pain. Perhaps she was, but this didn't seem like anything in the realm of "normal". Then there were the two angelic faces of her niece and nephew, but nowhere around them was any family member. Finally, there was the memory of the room, the room where the tiny bundle lay wrapped in a white blanket. She had no idea the sex of the baby, what he or she looked like, or even if that baby had any ties to her specifically. Everything was disjointed. She would put it out of her mind. For now.

Esme's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "How are you going to get all three of them home?"

Edward looked around at his sleeping wife, son, and daughter. "I have no idea," he said quietly.

"I hate to wake them," she replied. "They look so peaceful. I just don't think I can bear waking them."

Edward knew what his Mother was getting at. He could always pick up on these little hints from her. She wanted them to stay the night. If she had it her way, they would live here all of the time. "We probably should have just stayed home. I knew they were all tired before we ever came. I'm glad we did, though."

"Why don't you all stay here tonight?" Esme offered. "Your old room is always ready for you. Tomorrow I can help Bella with the children."

Unsure of his Mother's offer, Edward looked at Bella, then the children. It would be easier to sleep there rather than drive back across town to their home. It would also be better for Bella to get some sleep than get woke up again to help him get the children inside and to bed. He wasn't sure if Bella would agree with those points, but it was his call tonight. Besides, his Mother would press the issue.

Edward moved Ali gently, "Can you take her?"

"Of course!" Esme smiled. She lifted the little girl out of Edward's arms effortlessly while he busied himself with getting Bella in his arms and upstairs without waking her.

"Mommy…" Ali whispered in a sleepy voice. Esme didn't think she was awake at all, just talking in her sleep. "Shh sweetheart, your Mommy is here. Sleep." Esme followed behind Edward as he climbed the stairs slowly with Bella in his arms.

"I'll take him," Carlisle offered. Jasper handed Masen up Carlisle, watching as the little boy barely stirred.

"Oh the sleepy humans," Emmett joked, catching a pop from Rosalie on his shoulder.

"If you wake them up, Emmett." She scolded. "You can sit up with them all night."

"Some threat…" He joked back. Decided he better keep his words to himself from the glare he received.

Alice sat silently on the large couch next to Jasper. Normally she would be overjoyed to have her family all under one roof, and she was, only this time her good feelings were clouded with doubt and uncertainty. She would figure this out, and she would do it without upsetting anyone else.

__

The house was eerily quiet. Even though six of the ten occupants were not asleep, the nights were always quiet around the Cullen home. Esme and Alice were reading or enjoying quiet time, much as they always did. Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie were out for a late night hunt. Carlisle, as usual, was in his office working.

He could hear the footsteps well before they neared his office. They belonged to Edward; there was no mistaking that. It was no surprise to him when Edward opened his office door, walking in and taking a seat across the desk. He had an uneasy look about him; very different from the Edward Carlisle was used to seeing.

"Can't sleep?" Carlisle smiled.

Edward shook his head, taking a pencil off Carlisle's desk. He busied himself with the writing utensil, rolling it between his hands while he sat in his Father's office in silence. "Not easy sharing a bed with those three. All three are just as restless as the other. I doze off and an arm or leg wakes me."

Carlisle laughed. "It's never seemed to bother you before." There was something on his son's mind; there was no question of that. Whether or not Edward would spill his thoughts was something he never knew. Sometimes he was an open book, sometimes not. "How's work going?"

"It's going well," Edward quickly replied. He had fallen into a routine at the hospital quickly. The hospital in Forks wasn't big by any means, so a slow day here and there wasn't rare. It was a job, much less of a passion like he knew Carlisle found it to be. It provided a nice lifestyle for Bella and his children, that was all that mattered. "I'm just worried about Bella. You know, when the baby comes."

"You mean with you working?"

"It just wasn't in the plans," Edward explained. "The baby. I mean I'm happy, it is just it wasn't in the plans." Plans rarely worked for them, Edward knew that, but this was different. This was something he feared not for himself, but for Bella. He knew she wouldn't admit it if things were too much. He knew she wouldn't ask for help. For those reasons, he worried.

Edward sighed, resting his face in his hands as he tried to suppress the drowsy feeling. "It's just," he began again looking up. "She deals with so much as it is. I'm gone all of the time, the children have their good days and bad, and in the midst of all of that she feels like she can't lean on anyone."

Carlisle knew every bit of what his youngest son was saying was true. Bella was stubborn and beside Edward, didn't truly feel comfortable leaning on anyone. Not even her own father, Chief Swan. It was nothing against anyone at all, it was just Bella. "Is there anything I can help you with? With work? You need less hours?"

"That'd be a start," Edward nodded. Truth was, he had no idea what he needed or wanted even. He was worked up about this upcoming life change and he doubted anything would bring him peace. Peace was something he wouldn't have until he saw for himself that everything was going to be ok. He'd just have to ride it out.

There would be no settling Edward down, Carlisle knew that. Esme always had a more calming effect on him, but he wouldn't betray Edward's trust. He had come to him for a reason. He was certain he had never uttered these words to Bella. "I do believe it will be ok, Edward. I know it is difficult to see that now, but things will work out just fine like they always have."

"I guess I should get back to bed. Alarm will go off in a few hours," Edward explained. "Thanks for the talk." Silently, Edward continued his way out of Carlisle's office and back down the hall to his old bedroom. No less unsettled than before he had made the journey to the office.

Edward's family would be fine; Carlisle vowed to make sure of that. It might be a little tough at first, but things would come together. Before shutting his computer down for the night, Carlisle checked his e-mail once more to see if his colleague overseas had replied regarding a new treatment they had discussed earlier.

There was one new e-mail, but not from anyone he was expecting to hear from. Out of curiosity, and expecting to find some junk mail, he opened the e-mail.

Greetings Carlisle,

I haven't forgotten.

Asa

Carlisle's heart hadn't beat in over a century, but he was certain he felt it stop in his chest upon reading those few, but powerful words. "Asa…" Carlisle said in disbelief, almost as if he said it aloud, it would make more sense. "It couldn't be."

It simply couldn't be.