Chapter 7-Rings, Cousins and Things
I was snuggled into his side and his arms were wrapped around me. We just had gotten out of the shower and I wasn't really in the mood to get dressed. I just wanted to stay naked in bed with my love all day. It was early morning; I could see the sun was starting to creep over the hills. Edward would occasionally lean over and kiss my forehead and he kept caressing our children through my belly which seemed to get bigger as the days went on. I had never felt so blissfully happy, so loved as I did right now, not even before he left. I could see now that we had been holding back before and when we made love in the meadow was the start of the change. "So when will our family be home?" I asked him elated to say our family because they were. "Not sure, they're close but Alice is trying to keep everyone away why do you ask?" he replied. "No reason really, just wondering how long we had before I had to put some clothes on and suffer through the interrogations of our sisters on what we did last night because I can guarantee you they will ask".
He chuckled at me and kissed my temple while he stroked our babies and I sighed in contentment.
"Come on my love, I want to take you somewhere before I have to share you" he asked and held his hand out for me. I took his hand without any hesitation; I would follow that man into the gates of hell if he asked me. He helped me get dressed which took longer than it should have because he kept touching me every chance he got, even putting on my socks became an erotic experience for me and the smug bastard knew it too, so as his hands were caressing my legs as he helped me put my pants on I let my foot graze his crotch and he froze for just an instant before that crooked smile came across his face and his eyes darkened slightly, I knew exactly what he was feeling and my breath hitched. He smirked again and told me to climb on his back, I did as he asked and then he flew down the stairs and out the front door. I asked him why he just didn't use the window, I mean it wasn't like he could get hurt and he had perfect accuracy with jumping so I wasn't worried but he stated that there was no way he was jumping out the window with his very pregnant girlfriend on his back. I sighed happily while inhaling the scent of his neck as we flew through the forest, it was exhilarating; the feel of the wind as we ran, the sights of the trees were just a green blur and the scent of the forest around us, but most of all the feel of Edward's cool skin against my heated one. I loved being wrapped around his back, it didn't compare to how it felt when we made love but it was a close second.
I had my eyes closed as we ran just enjoying the closeness when he stopped and helped me climb off his back. He turned me around and I gasped at what I saw. We were stood next to beautiful lake that was surrounded by huge majestic Pine trees and it was sparkling in the early morning light, with the sun still making its way over the horizon. There was a huge waterfall churning the water at one end of it and then I watched in fascination as the slight breeze blew the snowflakes from the trees causing them to dance in the morning light as they fell to the water. The whole scene looked like one from a fairy tale and my eyes strained to take in everything. Edward had let me go from his embrace and I was missing it so I turned around saying
"Edward this place is so beaut…" I gasped as I saw him there on one knee holding in his hand a blue velvet box. The lid was opened revealing a ring with an oval shaped diamond with small diamond clusters around it. It was gorgeous and my eyes started to tear up knowing full well what he was about to do.
"I've wanted to do this for so long, I planned to ask you the night of your birthday but we both know how that turned out, I would have liked to make this big declaration of my love for you, but just seeing you round with our children is enough. Now I know what you're thinking, and no I'm not asking just because of our babies, although that is one reason. I love you Bella, you given me things I've never thought I would have and I love you so much and if you'll let me, I want to make you happy for all eternity. So Isabella Swan, will you marry me?"
How the hell could I say no to that? The answer was a no brainer; I would not be able to live the rest of my life without him.
"Yes Edward, forever" I whispered.
The smile on his face was blinding as he slipped the ring on my finger and picked me up. He kissed me senseless and then twirled us around shouting that I was going to marry him. I laughed at his ridiculousness, but I understood; I wanted to scream it from the mountains that I was getting married. I was going to be Mrs. Edward Cullen, scratch that; I was going to be Mrs. Edward Masen.
"Oh Bella, you have made me the happiest man on earth, I love you, Mrs. Cullen" he said against my lips and I shook my head and said
"You mean Mrs. Masen" he looked at me in shock and then crashed his lips into mine in a searing kiss that was getting out of control, quick. The next thing I knew was our clothes were lying in a pile and I was straddling him while he moved me up and down his length and I gasped and sighed at the feel of him within me. We both screamed out our release frightening away most of the wildlife and I collapsed against his chest as his arms encased me.
"So I take it that you like the fact that I want the last name to be Masen?" I giggled and Edward told me that it meant more than anything to him that I would take his human last name. I decided that the twins were getting his last name too, but the birth certificates would say Cullen, but I made a mental note to get others that said Masen.
Once we were finally dressed we decided to go back home. I was reluctant to leave because I knew once we got back; we would be bombarded with wedding details because there was no way that the little pixie that is Alice did not see the proposal. I actually found it strange that she hadn't called but then I remembered that she couldn't see us because of the babies and I couldn't help but smile that for once Edward and I would have a surprise.
"What are you smiling about?" Edward asked while giving me a smile of his own,
"Apart from being so happy that we're back together, having twins and getting married, I'm smiling because the evil pixie can't see the babies so that means we can surprise everyone and we won't be attacked with wedding details as soon as we get in the door" I told him and he just shook his head at me and the two of us started walking back, neither of us were in a hurry to get there, we were still in our own little bubble. I was just about to jump on his back so we could get back to tell everyone the good news when I smelt something, making my mouth water. I recognized it immediately as a deer and sure enough one came out of the forest a few hundred feet away from us. I could feel Edward stiffen next to me, no doubt feeling the thirst himself and l looked towards him and he gasped for some reason.
What?" I asked
"Bella, your eyes are almost black love, are you, I mean do you, can you smell the deer's blood?" he stumbled as he tried to ask me if I was thirsty and all I could do was nod shyly.
"Do you want it?" he asked. I nodded and he said
"It's all yours love"
That's all he had to say and I was off like a shot. I cleared some 90 feet as I ran. The deer must of have sensed the danger so it ran, he was fast but I was faster. I jumped and just like before, I landed on its back and drank deeply from its neck. I couldn't help but moan out loud, it tasted so good, not as good as the black bear Emmett got me, but it was still delicious. I looked up to see the love of my life draining his own deer that must have wandered out, his throat pulsed as he drank from the wound and his muscles flexed as he held the deer close to his chest. He stood up and tossed the deer to the side and he never looked more powerful or beautiful as he did right now, and all I could think of is that he was mine and I wanted him bad. We took one look at each other and the lust was all consuming. We crashed into each other and both of us moaned at the taste of our kills still on each other tongues. He ripped my shirt off and I his, then the early morning sky was filled with our moans and whimpers of pleasure. Telling our family about our engagement could wait, I needed some time with my soon to be husband.
We were getting close to home when Edward stiffened next to me,
"What is it?" I asked.
"My cousins are here, how about we wait to tell them for a few more hours, there is such beautiful scenery in Alaska and you haven't seen any yet, how about I run inside and get some clothes and we'll sightsee for the day or the next week" he mumbled the last part but I still caught it.
"Edward they're a part of your family. Why on earth wouldn't you want to see them?" I asked. He groaned in frustration and his hand went through his hair and I watched in slight amusement as he tugged on it.
"Bella" he seemed to be stalling and then he blew out a breath and said
"I love our cousins, I do, we've always been close but well one of them has been a bit closer than is comfortable" I was confused and I'm sure it showed on my face.
"Bella, my cousin Tanya has always felt that I should have been her mate and I have politely turned her down at every turn. She won't stop though, for she firmly believes that we belong together and has tried more times than is proper to get me to be with her. She has done some things that would make your hair curl, they were just not proper for a lady, especially one that I have no romantic interest in, so please can we just not be in there right now? He sounded so embarrassed and I tried to push the anger back towards this woman that has been lusting after my man. He was mine Damnit; no woman mortal or otherwise was going to take him from me. "Edward" I said as I took his hands and placed them on my middle and watched as the babies moved to his touch and his mouth broke in a brilliant smile
"No worries, surely she won't try anything now that you have a mate and two children on the way. This is supposed to be a happy occasion, don't let the past ruin it, in fact why don't we surprise them. I'll keep my beach ball here hidden while we tell them about the engagement and then we'll let your cousins in on our joy okay?" He nodded still transfixed by our children. I asked what they were thinking and he told me that they were getting impatient, they wanted to come out soon and meet us and that they miss all the voices. I laughed and pulled him back to the house, he let me but was reluctant.
When we walked in the door I could hear the voices of my family but also the new ones who I figured must have been the Denalis. Edward whispered for me to wait there while he fetched us some clothes, I listened in on what was going on in the other room, I really didn't mean to eavesdrop but my hearing was so good I just couldn't help it. Someone asked where Edward was and I heard Emmett say he was out riding and I had to hold onto the laugh that was threatening to come out. Edward came back downstairs wearing a black t-shirt and jeans and he had a pair of skinny jeans for me which had a built in band to accommodate my huge stomach and he had a cute little blue top. I changed quickly, but it still caused Edward to groan softly, my eyebrow shot up and he just shook his head at me and took my hand and led me towards the living room. I stuck my head around the wall making sure to keep my protruding stomach from sight
"Hi everyone, miss us?" I asked playfully and was rewarded with a stream of
"Hi lil sis, BELLA! There are you little one, so what were you two doing?" yeah that last one was Emmett of course and as usual the big oaf received a slap for it.
"Bella, I'd like to introduce you to our cousins the Denalis, my friends this is my Bella" Edward said as he looked at me with such love and adoration. A tall man with dark hair, eyes and olive skinned came over clutching a beautiful woman's hand. She had caramel color hair and the same skin tone as the male. They were definitely mates and were so beautiful.
"It's nice to meet you Bella, my name is Carmen and this is my mate Elezar" the tall man drew in a deep breath, looking at me strangely but I ignored him after our greeting as my eyes moved past to the three most beautiful women I've ever seen, seriously; still not as pretty as Rosalie but they weren't far off. The first one I saw had light brown hair that cascaded down her back in what looked like curls, and then there was the one next to her with silvery blonde hair and then the tall leggy strawberry bombshell. These girls were breathtakingly beautiful and I felt so insignificant next to them. Why would Edward choose me when there were three beautiful girls who would complement him better than I ever could?
"Hi Bella, I'm Kate and this is Irina and Tanya" the one with the light brown hair introduced herself and her sisters. The one with the strawberry blonde hair was Tanya, I should have known.
"My, My Eddie, I can definitely see the appeal, she's cute I guess, but she does smell lovely" said the strawberry bimbo in this sickly sweet voice as she slipped her arm through Edward's arm and I saw red, he was mine Damnit. I could fell the growl coming up my throat and I knew if she didn't back off then I might, no, I would throw her across the room. Before the growl came out the vampire introduced as Irina piped up
"T, I agree that she does smell good but don't you smell that, it's different, it's sweet like us, almost cinnamon like, don't you smell that?, it's a vampire smell"
All of our new guests seemed to sniff the air and then bimbo who was still attached to Edward's arm laughed, and it sounded like nails on a chalkboard. I shuddered with the sound
"Oh Irina, my dear sister, of course she would smell like a vampire, I mean she is Eddie's little plaything, his scent would be all over her. But really Edward darling you must be bored, she is only human after all, she'd never be able to satisfy you like a woman can, particularly one with centuries worth of experience" bimbo cooed at him and I could see Rose and Alice start to stand and I put my hand out to stop them. Edward gave her this disgusted look and then tore her arm from his and then came to wrap an arm around me making sure not to ruin our surprise.
"Tanya, I ask that you not talk about my finance in such a manner, I'm flattered but as I have said before I don't feel that for you Tanya. I love Bella more than anything in the world and not you or anyone else will change that. I'm sorry Tanya" Edward tried to tell her but I could see the fire in her eyes, she was not going to accept this.
"No offence Bella, but Edward darling, surely she can't do for you what I could, she could never give you what I could" she replied and then Edward said
"Tanya, not that I would want anything from you, but Bella has already given me more than I ever thought to ask for. She has given me her heart, her mind, soul and her hand, but most of all she has given me the two most precious gifts a woman could give a man" with that he led me out from behind the wall and wrapped his arms around me from behind and started to caress our babies and continued
"Our children". There was a collective gasp from the Denalis and then I watched apprehensively as Carmen, Irina and Kate approached us. Their eyes on my middle watching in wonder maybe. "May I?" Carmen asked and I nodded. She placed her hand on my stomach and the twins started moving and Carmen gasped and her eyes were shining with some sort of emotion. Kate and Irina did the same and then both looked at Alice and at the same time they all shouted "BABY SHOWER!" I laughed and told them that the babies didn't need anything else but my words fell on deaf ears as they made plans to go shopping tomorrow. There was so much excitement that no one but me seemed to notice when Bimbo crouched in a hunting stance and I saw her lips curl over razor sharp teeth, Edward finally clued in and crouched in front of me, I could feel my heart beating, I was scared but the only thing forefront in my mind was protecting what was mine, I could feel my vision blur and the next thing I know I had jumped over Edward and pinned bimbo to the floor snarling at her, she tried to break free but Alice and Rose had a firm hold on her and Emmett was standing close by. I looked up to see my love being restrained by Carlisle and Elezar, he was snarling, shaking, and a quivering mess and he never looked more beautiful
"LET ME GO!" he screamed as he struggled. I knew the feeling; I was about ready to kill her. Esme wrapped me in her arms and asked if I was okay, I told her I was but I was really thirsty, she got me a cup of blood and led me over to Edward. His eyes were black with rage and I placed a hand gently on his shoulder, his head whipped towards me; he snarled but it was cut short as he recognized me and then his eyes soften and he brought me into his arms and apologized for his behaviour.
"Edward you have nothing to apologize for, we should be doing that for you on behalf of out stupid sister" Kate said and Tanya screamed from the floor. My sisters picked her up and she snarled again while looking my way but it was cut short with a loud SLAP! I watch in udder astonishment as Alice had been the one to slap her, she was so tiny that I forgot how strong she could be. Tanya and everyone else just stood there with their mouths opened
"Tanya, I told you years ago to leave my brother alone that his mate was on her way, but you still pursued him and now here he is with her and two children on the way and you mean to attack her, he loves her, not you and if you ever threaten my brother, sister or niece and nephew ever again I will rip you apart. We may have been friends for a long time but you don't threaten a member of my family and get away with it" Alice sneered and she was beautiful and absolutely terrifying.
"How dare you, Alice she is just a human, how can someone so insignificant ever hold your attention for long. Yes Edward got her pregnant but that can be taken care of, surely you of all people can see how well Eddie and I would be?" Tanya pleaded with Alice causing Edward to growl and Tanya rolled her eyes and hissed at me and I lost it completely; I'm not sure what happened; I felt something inside of me spring and come to life, bursting out of me. It was a weird feeling and I didn't know what it was but all of a sudden I looked up to see bimbo was on the other side of the room pinned to the wall and I was in my love's embrace, chest heaving; panting and shaking from pure udder rage.
"Whoa!" Emmett shouted
"What the fuck was that?" Jasper asked.
"Dude that was awesome" bellowed Emmett again. I had no idea what was going on, did I do that? I saw she was still pinned to the wall by some imaginary force and I could feel whatever it was inside me was quivering, I don't think I could hold it much longer. It was holding but it was my rage that was keeping it that way, stupid woman thinks she can threaten me, take my mate and hurt my children. Not bloody likely!
"Love, Bella sweetheart, calm down, Shhh. Bella let her down love" Edward whispered in my ear and I did calm down somewhat, at least enough to let the bitch down. I bit my lip to keep myself from snarling again. She was going to have to leave soon or I would, all this stress couldn't be good for the twins and if they could read my mind my children were squirming inside of me. Edward told me he could hear them, they were fine but they didn't like the loud noises, calling them the bad sounds. Esme seemed to have enough and told Tanya to leave,
"Tanya I think you should go. I will not have you here upsetting my daughter and possibly causing harm to my grandchildren. Edward has been telling you for decades he doesn't feel that way about you and yet you come here and try it again, and then you insult my daughter and then try attacking her. Tanya I want you out and unless you can control yourself you are not welcome here. I won't have it, Tanya, you upset any of my family again and I will end you myself, are we clear" I was shocked, I mean I expected Esme to be polite, not threaten her.
"Is that a threat Esme?" bimbo asked and Esme replied
"No Tanya, it's not. It's a promise, threaten or hurt any of my family and I will show you what a mother bear can do" Esme snarled and for a split second I saw the fright in the bitch's eye, a second later Tanya huffed and motioned for the rest of her family to follow, but they declined and told her they were staying and that she should take some time to think.
"Tanya, I love you sweetheart and you know we always follow you but you have taken it too far my dear. I'm so embarrassed that you would do something like this to our oldest and dearest friends. Edward has told you on numerous occasions that he didn't feel that way and we told you the same thing. Now here he is with a mate and miraculously children on the way and you still have the desire to have him. You should take this time to think about your priorities dear, and apologize for your behaviour towards Carlisle's family" Elezar scolded. Tanya looked as if she was going to backtalk like a teenager but she huffed again and ran out the door. The Denalis started to apologize for her but we waved them off. It wasn't their fault that she was a nut job. I loved all of them instantly with the exception of bimbo of course and I told them that the babies shouldn't be too much longer and they should stick around for it. Irina and Kate nodded furiously and told us they wouldn't miss it for the world while Carmen and Elezar decided go back in case Tanya caused any damage. I held back an eye roll; here she was the leader of her coven and she was acting like a spoiled teenager, stupid bimbo, I swear I have more intelligence in my big toe than she has. The room interrupted in laughter and I was confused, did I say that out loud?
"Baby B that was fucking brilliant, you being pregnant if anything is good for a laugh" bellowed Emmett and I realized I had said that out loud and I was mortified, I could feel the blush burning my face all the way to my toes.
"Yeah Bella that was definitely a good one, stupid porcupine" Alice hissed and we all looked to her for an explanation
"Oh for God sake's, if she had as many pricks sticking out of her as she has stuck in her then she'd be a porcupine" she huffed and we all lost it, poor Jasper, too many emotions for him. I had to run to the bathroom, all this laughing and the pressure from the twins was going to cause an accident if I didn't go.
By the time I waddled downstairs again the twins were nudging like crazy and I placed my hands on them relishing the way they moved against me. Edward wrapped his arms around me from behind and then placed a gentle kiss on my neck while his hands entwined with mine as we both caressed our children. I turned my head for a kiss which he was more than happy to give, it started out fairly chaste but turned heated quickly as usual and I was all for taking this upstairs when my stomach grumbled and Edward chuckled against my lips
"Hungry my love" he asked with a smile on his face and I nodded sheepishly
"Don't be bashful my love, you're pregnant, you can have whatever you want. Besides, the twins just told me they were hungry too" he continued and it still blew my mind he could hear them. "What do they sound like I asked as I looked through the cupboards trying to find whatever I might be craving.
"Well, they are definitely not full answers, just little bits of their thoughts; they know the words like hungry, thirsty, pretty song when I hum to them and most of all they know who we are. They know words like Mommy and Daddy and Bella I have never heard such loving thoughts from something so young. They love us so much already sweetheart, it's the most beautiful thing I have ever had the pleasure of reading" he said and I could hear the quiver of emotion in his voice. I walked over to him, hunger completely forgotten; he needed me more right now. I placed my hand on his cheek and he automatically leaned into it, I kissed his lips softly and took his hands and placed them on my middle saying
"Edward, look at me. Of course our children love you, you're their father. I told them all about you; you know when we were apart. I told them that you would love them and how much I loved you and I still do Edward. I love you so much it feels as if I can't say it enough and now with the twins; well it feels like my heart could burst with all these extra feelings. I know the time we spent apart was heart breaking but maybe it was necessary, I mean look what we have, we have our crazy family, we have two children on the way and we're getting married love. I don't know about you but I'm pretty frigging happy. Now how about we go get in the car and find me something to eat, I'm craving a big fat burger from McDonald's. Of all the things I've eaten, the twins seem to like greasy burgers not as much as rare steak and blood but they do seem to like take-out.
