Twins. We're pregnant with twins. What, how, why. Breathe deep Bella. Deep breath. I look up at Edward. His gaze holds so many things. I see worry, shock, joy, and love. "We can do this Bella love" he whispered, rubbing my baby bump," We can do this"
18 years later
Bellas Pov
Edward was pacing back and forth across the living room. His arms were flailing everywhere as he screamed sputtering nonsense. In everything we've been through I never once imagined this.
We met 19 years ago. We married 18 years ago. We had seven children together. I was an award winning author. He was a FBI agent that went big in the music industry. Life had been kind to us.
We had the twins when I was 21. Adalyn Esme Cullen and Annora Renne Cullen arrived 2 months early into the world. Ada and Nora would be turning 18 in a few months.
Two short years later another set of twins arrived, Adrian Charlie Cullen and Aidan Carlisle Cullen were momma's boys all the way and were born 4 weeks early. As they grew older they loved to mimic each other making it impossible for anyone outside of the family to tell them apart. They just turned 15.
I took a little break and four years later we had Avery Alice Cullen. She arrived two weeks pass my due date. She was a girly girl to the extreme and loved anything and everything fashion. When she found out she was named after the famous Alice Whitlock who was also her Aunt she almost cried. All the children knew both of our stories and why they had never met anyone in the family besides Edward and me. She's 11.
It was only three years before we had Arralyn (air-ah-lynn) Angela Cullen. She came out with the cord around her neck. She's the calmest of the lot and takes after me most. She's content to just read a book. She's 8 or if you ask her 8 ¾.
Shortly after we had Arralyn we hit a rough patch. Not in our marriage though. Our baby girl Annora who was only 9 at the time was diagnosed with B cell Lymphoma. We packed up our things and moved to Seattle to be close to the amazing children's hospital there. It was a 4 year long fight. A tired exhausting four years that were worth it. Annora was given the news she was cancer free seven months after she turned 13. She was free to liver her life with the exception of a checkup she received every month.
We enjoyed two years of peace… well as much peace as you can have with six children. Our youngest was born. Anthony Emmett Cullen. He took very much after his namesake and thought anything and everything was funny. He was 2 years old.
Though all of this I had never seen Edward so livid. He was ready to kill. Our baby girl, our first born. Adalyn had just announced that she was pregnant at 17. She was 6 months along. How we didn't notice I will never know. You think after 5 pregnancies I'd notice the signs. She was weeping on the couch. Her boyfriend Benjamin sat next to her eyeing Edward. He looked scared for his life. Rightly so.
"You" Edward pointed at Benjamin " Are coming with me to have a little talk." Without waiting for a response Edward picked Benjamin up by the cuff of his shirt and dragged him out the door.
Adalyn continued to bawl. She was a Daddy's girl. Annora came and sat beside her sister. The two were inseparable and Nora probably knew before Benjamin did. The other children had exited the room when the announcement was made and Tony was down for a nap.
I went to my baby and cradled her in my arms. It was something I did often with all my children. "Do you think he hates me Momma" her voice was low and hoarse. "I'm sorry. I really am. It was never supposed to happen. I love the baby though momma. Don't make me get rid of it. Please don't." I shushed her and ran my hands through her hair. I knew my Edward and he would come around. He would do anything for his children.
I sat with my girls like that for nearly 15 minutes before Edward came back in with Benjamin with his head bowed behind him. He made a b line for Ada. He picked her up and cradled her to his chest. Her weeping began all over again as he whispered reassurance into her ears. He finally spoke loud enough for me to hear. "I'm disappointed Ada. I'm not going to lie. But you will always be my baby girl and nothing will change that. Not even the fact that I'm getting a grandbaby at the age of 39. Your mother and I will help you through this. "Her sobs were renewed at her father's words, this time of relief.
I turned to Ben. "Ben, I think it's time to meet your parents. Do they know?"
"Yes ma'am. We just came from there. They would like to set up a meeting with you." His head was still downcast. I could see the worried glances he sent my daughter; it warmed my heart to know that he would stick by her. I patted his shoulder. "Why don't you call and invite them over for dinner tonight.
"Yes ma'am" he shot another worried glance at Adalyn that Edward caught. He reluctantly set Adalyn on her feet and released her to Ben who took her in his arms.
"Come on Edward" I say as I walk out of the living room and head for our room. He reluctantly follows. I turn around as he closes the door. He's avoiding my gaze. He thinks I don't notice but I do. I grab his chin and force him to look me in the eye. He is crying an Edward doesn't cry. The tears are slow. As are mine. "Why is this a bad thing Edward. Sure she's young. So were we. She'll have the support we never did. I have confidence in my daughter's ability to be a mother. Don't you?"
He gives a little sniffle before answering. "She's my baby girl. She's not going to be my baby any more. She has to grow up. There will be no college living or partying or drinking for that matter. There will be sleepless nights and dirty laundry. "
"Look at us though Edward. We did our share of partying indeed but despite the sleepless nights and dirty laundry I think the happiest I ever am when I'm with my children." This made his tears fall faster.
"I know, and I'm losing that. She can't be my baby when she has a baby of her own." His head was downcast. We had been so into our conversation we didn't notice a presence at the door.
Before I knew what was happening Adalyn had ran into the room and thrown herself into her father's arms. "I will always be your baby daddy. Always" Edward held on to her tight like he had every time she got hurt. "Good to know baby girl, good to know" He patted her back and set her on the floor.
I can feel my nerves begin to grow as I begin to prepare dinner. What if I hated Ben's parents? What if they hated us. Brushing my thoughts aside I continued on the dinner. It would be extra-large tonight. Edward came in to help me. We both worked in silence. It was a skill we had mastered over the years.
Everyone was home tonight. Ada was in her room with Nora talking about lord knows what. Adrian and Aidan were playing soccer outside in the grass. Avery and Arra were playing dolls together and my little guy was sitting in his booster seat coloring. He was the easiest to keep track of. He was a momma's boy to the extreme and always let me know what he was doing.
It was hard keeping track of all of our kids but for the most part they were good with keeping us informed. We lived on 40 acres of fenced in land on the outskirts of Port Angeles. Our home was 8 bedrooms. Four bedrooms on the third floor and four on the second floor.
The top floor consisted of both sets of twins. Each of which shared a bedroom.
The second floor consisted of the master bedroom with our master bathroom, and the three youngest rooms. The younger three had a bathroom they shared together.
On the main floor we had our kitchen, dining room, living room, and me and Edward's respective office spaces. Everything was an open layout. Our dining room table seated 12 without the leaves and 16 with the leaves.
The basement was the "Everything" floor. It had a gym, Gaming center, Music room, and toy room.
A little ways off from the house we had a modest guest house with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and a small kitchen/living area.
This all sounds like a lot, but with 7 children and their friends coming in and out it's not. We lived modestly. Both me and Edward were well know but we never showed our faces and our children were not know to the paparazzi. The names we used to the world when singing and writing were not our real ones. I went by Maria Mason and Edward went by Anthony Phillips.
I was startled out of my thoughts when I hear the doorbell ring. I know who it is immediately. Not one of my children's friends would bother to knock. I hear Edward answer and greet them. Quickly whipping my wet hands on my jeans I leave the kitchen to go greet them.
I notice her right away. She's shorter than I remember and her face is filled with laugh lines. Her hair is still a deep brown and she wears the same square framed glasses. Ben is next to her. He stands tall and is more defined then I ever remember him being. I break out a laugh before I feel the tears build up.
Edward quickly notices my tears. I can tell he is trying not to make a scene by rushing to my side. I brush him off before I walk up to her. By now she has noticed who I am and I can see the tears begin to fall.
"Hey Ang," I choke out. Angela nods her head stiffly. I'm not sure if it's from anger at me leaving or seeing me again. "Bella" she whispers just loud enough for the adults to hear before she flings herself into my arms and lets the sobs rack her body. I hug her tightly back. My only real friend I have ever had. As we pull apart I see both our significant others giving us understanding glances. Adalyn and Ben Jr. are a different story all together.
"Wait, you know each other" Adalyn speaks loudly.
"So your Adalyn's mom. Interesting way to meet again" I see a small smile on her lips. "It is, isn't it, I guess were going to be grandma's together."
"Mom, how do you know Mrs. Cullen. " this time we turn towards where Adalyn is standing with Ben on her left and Nora on her right. "Benjie hunny, I would like you to meet Mrs. Cullen nee Swan my childhood best friend." Realization is clearly shown on both of their faces. My children knew exactly who Angela is and my children are going to love to meet her.
"Wait, you mean this is who you named Arralyn after. " Annora exclaims. Arralyn hearing her name comes running in. Seeing who is here she goes to introduce herself like we had practiced earlier. "Hello, my name is Arralyn Angela Cullen, pleasure to meet Ben's family. " At first when I taught her the line it was meant to be cute. Now it was utterly heartwarming.
Angela's eyes widen as she shakes Arra's hand. "You know my twin sister. Her name is Dawn Isabella Chenley. " Ben interjects. Seemingly at the same time me and Angela run into another embrace.
"So Bella, how many did you manage to spit out before giving up. I only did Ben and Dawn. " Angela asks. I whistle loudly to let all the kids know there presence was needed.
"All right kids, you know the drill, raise your hand when called upon. Oldest to youngest. We have Adalyn, Annora, Adrian, Aidan, Avery, Arralyn, and last but not least Anthony." The kids all raise their hands when called upon and Tony did a cute little "here" to add to it.
Angela turns to me wide eyed. "Seven Bells, Seven kids, that's like five more than I spit out and I thought two were tough. "
The rest of the night went similar. We talked about the situation with our two oldest children and decided that they could live in the guest house for now with the baby until they were out of school. It was summer holiday, Ada and Nora would be off to college next year.
Angie and I got caught up on each other's lives. They still lived in forks. Any mention of Charlie was avoided. I told her about living in Chicago. Meeting Edward, the kids and then Nora getting cancer and moving here.
Over the next few months' things calmed down. Angie and I had met up frequently. It looked like things would finally be getting back to normal.