Thanks for the love you're all sharing over this short tale.

THE EPILOGUE WILL POST LATER TODAY ... YAY!

NOBAM

BPOV

"Hello, it's nice to meet you all. If Mom and Dad can sit on the sofa – Bethany, you can sit by me," Tanya says as we enter the room.

Edward takes hold of my hand as I look around the room. It's very nice and seems as if it has been decorated by kids.

"Bethany, why don't I tell you a little about me first, and then you can tell me about you?"

Bethany nods, but turns her head to peek at Edward and me, so I give her a smile of encouragement.

"My name is Tanya, I'm thirty-five, and went to school with him," she says pointing at Edward.

I glance at Edward to see his eyes pop a little.

"I have some great photos of him from school," Tanya adds on with a chuckle.

"Were you friends?"

Tanya looks up and Edward chuckles a little, but looks embarrassed.

"No, he was on the football team and I was on the cheerleading squad. I sort of stalked him ... Well, what I mean is I followed him around asking him repeatedly to go out with me."

"Oh, Johnny does that with me," Bethany says with a big smile. "But he gets upset when I say no, and he pulled my hair."

I hear Edward growl a little and I kiss the top of his arm.

"Yes, I was the same way, but I was mean in another ways. Anyway, I was a little sad at that time in my life. My sister had died, and then my parents got divorced. My dad remarried a woman that had kids and seemed to forget about me."

Bethany covers Tanya's hand making me smile at how caring she is.

"It was because I was hurting inside that I was mean to others. After talking my troubles out with a lady, I started to feel better. I learned how to tell people why I was hurt or tell them they were hurting me. I'm now married and have two children of my own."

Bethany nods and seems to think for a few minutes. "My name is Bethany, I'm six, but my birthday is next week. I have two brothers—they are twins and they turn four two weeks after my birthday. I live with my mom," she says pointing at me. "And Edward, he's her boyfriend."

"Do you like Edward?" Tanya asks softly.

"Yes, he's funny and plays games with us, and makes my mom happy."

"Does anything make you sad?"

Bethany looks down at the table.

"Tell me about you brothers?"

"They're okay for boys. They want me to play with them ALL the time. I don't mind, but sometimes I just want to be by myself."

"There's nothing wrong with some alone time. I even have to throw my husband and kids out for an afternoon now and then, just so I can hear myself think."

Bethany bobs her head in agreement.

"Now tell me about your mom."

"She's great – she always makes time for us, and I know I can talk to her most of the time."

"Is there some things you can't tell her?"

Bethany bites her lip and nods.

"Can you tell me why?"

"I don't want to make her cry."

I bite my lip hard, hearing my girl has been keeping things in, in order to protect me. It hurts so much to know she has taken this burden on my behalf.

"Now, what about your Dad?" Tanya asks softly.

"He's dead," Bethany says lowly.

"Oh, I'm sorry, sweetie. Can you tell me what he was like?"

Bethany shakes her head. "He was mean; I don't think he liked me."

I look up taking a deep breath as Edward grips my hand more.

"Is there anyone else in your life I haven't asked about?"

Bethany nods. "Esme and Carlisle," she says smiling.

"Edward's parents?"

"Yes, they're the best, and Esme makes the best chocolate cake."

"Oh, I know, she used to bake for the school bake sales." Tanya stops and looks at Edward. "Maybe you could bring some of her treats with you the next time."

I hold back my chuckle at the hope in Tanya's face.

"And then there's granny Mary," Bethany says sounding sad again.

"Is she your dad's mom?"

Bethany nods.

"She doesn't like my mom," Bethany whispers. "She says she's not teaching me right. She said I have the devil in me and that's why my dad's dead."

I let out a gasp and both Tanya and Bethany turn to me.

"Mom and Edward, how about you two get a coffee and a muffin? The muffins aren't as good as Esme's, but they're not horrible. While you do that, Bethany and I can chat more."

Even with Tanya posting her request as a question, I know she needs us to leave.

"I'll be okay, Mom," Bethany says and I stand up.

'I love you' I mouth to her holding back my sob.

"We'll just be outside if you need us, Bethany," Edward says softly before walking out with me.

"How could she say that to her?"

"I don't know, love," he responds after wrapping me in his arms.

"I think ..." I stop and take a deep breath.

"Think what, love?"

"I don't think Mary should be alone with them, ever again. It's not like she's even bothered to call and ask how they are."

Edward kisses my forehead, and together we walk over to where the coffee is.

"So, you and Tanya?" I ask as we sit.

"She wasn't kidding when she said she followed me around, but no, I never dated her. She wasn't as mean as she's trying to make out. She did do some not so nice stuff, but it wasn't to people like me. It was more to those who would look down on her and that sort. Besides, most of us knew about her sister and we saw changes in Tanya after her sister's death."

I nod and take a sip of my coffee.

Edward and I chat about what we're going to do for the upcoming birthdays and some other stuff as we wait. We both let out a breath when Tanya's door opens.

"You can come back in now," she tells us with a smile.

Edward and I walk in and frown when we see Bethany's not here.

"She's in the playroom for now; I just wanted to talk to you both."

Edward and I nod sitting down.

"Bethany, as you know, has some hurt inside of her. Not only from what happened with her dad, but also Mary. Can you tell me about her and your relationship?"

I sigh and rub my head. "It's never been good, she didn't agree with me working. She even asked that I prove that I was still a virgin before she allowed James to marry me. I found it very odd, considering he was not a virgin when we married."

Tanya just hums. "Bethany says you went to see her and since then, there has been no communication with Mary. Can you tell me what went down when you last met with Mary?"

I cast my mind back to that day.

"Well, look who it is at my door. Where are my grandbabies?" Mary asks, not opening the front door enough to let me in.

"I've come here today to talk to you, alone."

"I take it this is about that man you've been throwing yourself at?"

I swallow back the retort and try to be polite. "If we can go inside, Mary?" I ask, knowing this is a sit-down conversation, not a talk to be had on a doorstep.

"I have just cleaned my house, there's no way I'll bring trash into it. Furthermore, my name is Mrs. Hunter, at least I'm woman enough to be proud of that."

I sigh knowing this is not going to go well.

"Is this the same dirty man you cheated on my poor boy with?"

"I didn't cheat on James."

"Yes, you did, he told me!" she continues to yell at me and draw attention from around the neighborhood.

I shake my head at her.

"You are committing a sin being with another man, when you're betrothed to my son. You will burn in hell, where you belong!"

"I am not committing any sin, and the church annulled my marriage to your son," I say harshly. I will not allow her to dirty my relationship with Edward.

"You will, you'll see. I'm sure you're only doing this for his money, like you did to my son. You ruined my son's name, and blamed him as if he was the trash. It's bad enough that you took my son's name from his children, now you're shacking up with some low life. I will not have it, I promise you that. You get rid of him or I will take Bethany from you. You can keep those bastard boys of yours and live in sin with your lowlife punk."

"She slammed the door in my face and I called Edward."

Again Tanya just hums.

"I would like to see Bethany every other week for the next few months. I also recommend that you keep her and your family away from Mary."

I nod and Tanya picks up her phone. A few seconds later Bethany runs into the room and straight to my open arms.

"This is for you, Bethany, why don't you tell your mom and Edward about it."

"This is a worry monster. If I feel worried about something, I write it down and put inside its mouth. The monster will eat it and if I look the next day it will be gone!" Bethany says sounding shocked.

"But?" Tanya says and Bethany chuckles and nods.

"I have to leave it in the same place all the time, or it will not be able to eat my worries."

I look to Tanya understanding that I have to check it every day to remove the worries.

"I have also asked her to write down anything she wants to talk about with me or you two in a book, and we'll look at it the next time she's here. There is one other thing I would like Bethany to try with Edward's help, that is."

We all look to Tanya.

"Of course, I'll do anything to help," Edward says.

"I would like you and Bethany to spend the full day together, just the two of you. Go play, go to the museum, but spend the day together. The biggest part of this is that you must go someplace that makes you travel together in the car alone." Tanya's eyes land on Bethany at the end. "Do you think you could do that for me?"

Bethany bites her lip, looks at Edward, before looking back to Tanya and gives her a nod.

"Well that's it then, we're done for today."

"Okay, Thank you," I say standing up and shaking her hand.

"I'll see you in two weeks, Bethany," Tanya calls out with a smile.

I have no doubts about this at all when my daughter beams happily back at Tanya.

~NOBAM~

I watch as Edward drives away with Bethany. It has been shortly over a week since our appointment with Tanya, and since tomorrow is her birthday, Edward's spending today with her, so Esme and I can get everything ready for her party.

"They'll be okay," Esme says hugging me.

"I know," I say leaning my head on her shoulder.

"Okay, let's get this cake done."

I chuckle and follow her into the kitchen.

"So, how are things going?" Esme asks and I shrug a little.

"The worry monster seems to be a hit. Most of the worries have been the normal children's kind, but she seems to be worried about big stuff, too."

Esme just looks at me.

"Like she's worried that Mary will hate her. Or does this mean she's a bad grandchild. Will she go to hell?" I shake my head in disgust that Mary had said these things to my child.

"She's also worried about telling me, in case it upsets me. She said in her notes that she didn't want to be the one who made me cry."

Esme wipes her hands and hugs me. "It just proves how well you've brought them up. Bethany is young with a wise head on her shoulders and very large heart. She's just like her momma."

I hug my friend and feel some of the tension dissipate.

"Okay let's move on from the conversation about the old hag. What's the plan for tomorrow?" Esme asks and I chuckle.

"It's a party here at your home, you know the plan. Thank you again for doing this for Bethany."

Esme smiles and nods.

"There're twenty kids coming from the school, and then Rose, Emmett and their kids. Alice and Jasper said they'd be here too, with their tribe."

"I really can't believe she has five children already. She just had the last one, a few months ago and is already pregnant again?" Esme laughs

I chuckle and nod. "I'm just pleased that Jasper has a good job that pays enough so she doesn't have to go back to work."

"The fact she keeps pushing out babies is why she isn't working," Esme says sounding catty.

I nudge her with my hip and she gives me her what look. "I'm just saying maybe if she had other things to fill her time with, she wouldn't be having a herd of kids."

"She's raising a good catholic family," I say knowing Esme loves Alice, Jasper and all the kids.

"Well, God bless her pointed head, because of her and Jasper, the congregation will double soon," Esme jokes.

We both laugh at the silliness, and how we've all been teasing Alice about her being so fertile.

The rest of the day goes by with Esme and me cooking enough food to feed a small army. We made a big cake, and it turned out amazing. I was glad Carlisle had taken the boys out for the day and they weren't under our feet.

I hear a giggle and watch a happy Edward walking in with a giggling Bethany on his back.

"Did you two have a good time?"

"It was the best," Bethany says smiling bigger.

"It was," Edward agrees.

Edward bends down and Bethany jumps from his back and runs over to hug me.

"I'm glad you had a good day," I say softly as the front door opens and Carlisle walks in with the boys.

"Did you all have a good day?" I ask.

"YES!" they all yell together.

"Everyone, get washed up for dinner," Esme says and the kids all run off.

I feel Edward's arms wrap around me.

"Thank you, for giving her a good day."

"I enjoyed it too, honey," Edward says kissing my neck. "I think she's learning to trust me more."

I bob my head knowing that slowly my little family is healing.

~NOBAM~

I can't believe it's Christmas already. The last few months have been hard, but all around good. The kids all enjoyed their birthdays, and Edward and his family spoiled them rotten. For my birthday, Edward took me away for two days. The kids went away with Carlisle and Esme and had a great time.

It was nice just to spend some alone time with Edward, but I know he missed our kids as much as I did.

Alice and Jasper have settled in their new house here. The only problem is their oldest son Kevin, who is eight. He seems to have a crush on Bethany. Everyone apart from Edward finds it cute; it just seems to annoy him.

He seems happy that Kevin brings a smile to Bethany's face more often, but I know her smiles are also because of Edward and his family, too. Her therapy sessions are coming along well, and she has started to open up to us more. She hardly ever has to use the worry monster anymore.

As for Mary, I haven't heard anything from her. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. The fact the kids don't seem to miss her much hurts me, but only because it's hard to face the fact she wasn't a grandmother to them.

"Honey, will you dance with me?" Edward asks and I walk into his arms.

"Have you been enjoying today?"

I bob my head. Just like Edward warned me last year, he's spent the year spoiling us all, and still he's made today special.

"Well, what do you know, look at what we're standing under?"

I look up a little seeing the mistletoe and look back into his eyes.

"You haven't needed mistletoe to kiss me in many months," I say cheekily, making him grin back at me.

"I know, but maybe you should take another look."

I frown looking up and see something sparkly hanging from the mistletoe. I reach up touching it and see it's a ring. I gasp and my eyes move back to Edward who's now on one knee in front of me.

I feel the tears run down my face right away.

"Honey, I haven't even said anything," Edward says sounding a bit choked up, too. He clears his throat and stares into my eyes.

"Last year you and your small family came into my life. I found myself quickly falling in love with all of you. You have such a large caring heart, and I know that I will love you forever. I've never felt as happy or as complete as I do when I'm with you. So, will you, Isabella Marie Swan, agree to become my wife, until death parts us?"

I shake my head at him and he frowns. "Death won't ever part us, we going to live a long, healthy happy life together, and when you go, I'll go, too," I say moving into his arms. "I love you," I sob out as he wraps his arms around me.

"I love you, too."

He slips the ring on my finger kissing it.

"Oh, come on! Hurry up so we can come in, too."

I chuckle looking to the door Esme just yelled from.

"Come in, if you must," Edward says sounding disheartened.

"Did you like the ring, Mom? We helped Edward pick it out," the boys ask looking at me.

"You did?"

They nod. "Yes, Edward asked if we minded him marrying you. We said no, because we want Edward to stay over all the time. Now, when can we call him Daddy?"

This seems to be an ongoing question from the boys. They have become almost desperate to call Edward Dad, but we agreed it was best to wait until we are married.

I look at Edward seeing the love in his eyes for my – our kids.

"You can call him Daddy now, if you like," I say looking at Edward. I can see that he's crying a little and I know how much this means to him.

"So that means I can call Esme and Carlisle Grandma and Grandpa?" Bethany pipes up.

"Yeah," I say nodding at her and the tears are again falling from my eyes.

I smile broadly as the twins holler out "Grandpa," before hugging Carlisle. The best thing of all was Esme down on her knees hugging Bethany as she tells her she's always been her grandma.

Soon the kids, Edward and his parents are all hugging me.

"This beats last Christmas, and that was a great one," Esme says sounding happy.

We break from the family hug and move to the dining room to have dinner. Soon it's filled with wedding talk.

I watch Edward closely and I know I need to have a big talk with my kids and soon.

~NOBAM~

The last four weeks, have come and gone. The wedding plans are in full swing, and thankfully, the kids were on board with my surprise for Edward. I have managed to get everything set up, with the help of Emmett; all we need to do now is ask Edward.

"Hi, honey," Edward whispers after walking in and kissing my neck. "Need some help?" he asks looking down at the food.

"No, I'm good."

"Can you help me, Dad?" Bethany asks.

Edward's face lights up happy each time he hears the name Dad spill from the kids' mouths. This is the way I imagined fathers acting when they hear their child say dad for the first time. Edward is like this every time, and I'm glad because James never reacted this way – at all.

I carry on making dinner while Edward helps the children.

I head into the dining room to get everyone squared away.

"Okay, dinner is done. You kids go get washed up. Edward, can you clear and set the table?" I ask as I set the dishes down on the end of the table.

Edward smiles at me and picks up the table. He sets out the dishes as I bring the food to the table.

"This is my favorite dinner," he hums out as he hugs me from behind.

"I know," I say holding back my smile as the kids come in.

I look to Bryan and nod. He gets up and comes back with a card.

"We made this for you," he says handing the card to Edward.

I watch as Edward opens the card addressed to, 'The Best Dad In The World' and I can see how touched he is by it.

"Thank you," Edward says as Bryce gets up quickly to get the gift bag.

"This is for you, too," he says happily.

Edward opens the bag to see a photo coffee cup. It holds a photo of the kids and us and it says 'family' under the picture.

"What's all this about?" Edward asks and Bethany clears her throat.

"Edward—Dad—we," she says pointing at herself then the boys, "have come to love you very much. Over the last year, you have become our father. We know that when you marry Mom, you'll be our stepdad, but we're hoping you'll be more than that."

Bethany hands Edward the adoption papers that Emmett worked on for us. Edward looks at them in shock. "You guys really want me to adopt you?" he asks in a shaky voice.

"Yes," the kids say together.

"I would love to adopt you all; you know I love each of you very much. Thank you for this gift – it's truly the best gift ever. I swear I'll never let you down."

I watch them all hug for a few seconds before joining them.

We have a nice family night before putting the kids to bed a little later than usual.

"Thank you, for doing this," he says holding up the papers.

"Once we're married, we'll all be Cullens. The Cullen family," I say hugging him.

"I can't wait."

"It's only another month and then we'll all be yours, forever."

"I love you."

"I love you, too," I whisper back to him.

We head upstairs and get ready for bed. I've never felt as happy as I do right now, falling asleep in his arms.

A/N: Well there you have it, the story is just about told. What are your thoughts so far? One thing we wanted to do when we discussed doing this side story to compliment Momma Santa's Christmas Plan, was to make sure that you - our readers, got to hear from Esme one last time. So the Epilogue will be in Esme's POV and it will post later today.

Thank you all for the love and support you give us, this is just the first in MANY things we are bringing you in 2015. Like last year we plan to have a story finish each month. Some stories will be longer, bigger stories that will span a longer time frame, but if we figured correctly we will have a completed story post each month this year. See you later today with the final posting of this story.