Thank you to obsessedmom, my wonderful beta. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter, please review and let me know. Also if you're an Em/B fan which I'm assuming you are, check out the O/S I'm about to post now under my username Crash Hale. It's called Date My Mom.


Chapter 7

"How does this look?"

I sighed heavily, shaking my head. "Not great, honestly," I told the man, placing my hand on my hip. "The lights have to hit the piece from all directions. I can see at least three different shadows forming."

We'd been at this for hours. The lighting company had sent workers out to come fix the lights so they'd actually be properly done by opening.

The first time around it was horrible. What didn't they understand about this being an art gallery? It needed perfect lighting in order for the art pieces to stand out to the best of their ability.

"Okay, I'll try it again," he nodded, rearranging the small lights.

"Thank you," I sighed softly to myself, looking down at the arrangement that was mapped out on the paper on my clipboard.

"How's it going?" I heard Edward ask.

I got slightly startled, not aware that he was even here. I'd been here for hours alone with these guys. We had opened one of the new locations, reopened the old one, and the opening of the last gallery—this gallery—was in a couple of weeks.

"Horrible. My five year olds could do a better job," I said, completely stressed and worried this gallery wouldn't be ready in time. We already had our PR Rep announce the opening date and couldn't change it now.

Edward placed his hand on my shoulder and smiled, "I got this. You can head on home if you want," he told me, taking the clipboard from my hold.

And just like that, when I thought I wouldn't be able to stand another minute, Edward, clearly my knight in shining armor took over, completely relaxed and ready to be in control.

I sighed for the hundredth time and gave him a thankful look. "You're incredible."

He really was amazing. He'd say something, and it would magically get done. It really meant a lot that all of us—Edward, Jacob, and myself—got along so well as partners.

"That's what I've been told," he smirked.

I rolled my eyes with a smile and shook my head at his comment. "I'm sure," I commented, leaving his side as he laughed at my response.


"We're home!" I heard Aiden yell, followed by his running footsteps.

Both the dogs got up from their restful spots on the floor and began barking with excitement to have the boys home.

They gave me kisses before playing with the dogs as they always seemed to be doing these days.

Emmett kissed my stomach before kissing me and lifted my feet to sit down, placing them in his lap and beginning to massage them.

I sighed and closed my eyes. It felt so good.

"What's Stephane making for dinner?" he asked.

I shrugged, "I told him to surprise us."

"You know, you're not eating as much as I thought you would be," he told me.

I shrugged from my spot. "This one doesn't make me eat as much as those two did," I said, placing my hand on my stomach and looking down at it.

Emmett gave me a smile, placing his hand over mine. "Must be a girl," he commented.

"You're really set on this girl theory aren't you?" I smiled.

He shrugged and kept massaging my feet until Stephane announced that dinner was ready. He set the table for us nicely before leaving us with his wonderful spaghetti meal.

Emmett worked in his office for the rest of the night and I had the boys studying from their spelling books in the library while I got some work done in my office too. I even had a minute to get a few pages of the baby book done.

I was really excited that our family would welcome a new edition next year. I couldn't wait to meet my baby.

"What has you smiling so much?"

I looked up to the sound of Emmett's voice. He made me smile even more as I shrugged.

He came and sat beside me on my desk, taking the book and looking through the empty pages. "I can't wait," He said.

"The baby will be here before you know it."

He nodded, "I still can't wait. . . Come on, let's put the boys to sleep. It's getting late."

I took his hand when he offered it and we both headed into the library to get the boys.


After tucking the boys in for the night, Emmett and I laid in bed like he liked to do recently. He was down by my stomach, tracing lines over it and tickling me slightly.

"When are you actually going to start showing?" He sighed, "I feel like your belly keeps getting flatter and your boobs keep getting bigger. . . Not that I'm complaining about the boobs, they're great."

I laughed at the comment and placed my hand right above my stomach and below my breasts, leaving him room to do what he was doing. "I should start showing soon."

"Alice said you were small with the boys. You think you'll be small with this little one?" he questioned, his eyes never leaving my stomach. He was so curious about each and every little thing when it came to this baby.

"I honestly don't know, babe," I answered. I didn't consider myself small with the boys. I felt like a huge pregnant monster.

"I can't wait for a belly."

I smiled, moving my free hand to his head and feeling his soft hair. "You can't wait for a lot of things, huh?"

Emmett finally looked up at me with an adorable smile, that same smile Aiden and Evan gave me when they were happy. I wondered if the baby would look like them or me. "I'm just really happy, that's all. . . Happier than ever,"

"Me too."

2 Weeks Later. . .

Thanks to Edward, it was the opening night and the gallery looked stunning. A lot of new faces were in tonight and we were doing very well.

"Excuse me, hi," a handsome young man approached me.

I smiled and shook his hand. "Hello."

"You're Isabella Swan, correct?"

"Yes, I'm the co-owner. How are you enjoying your night? Anything standing out?" I asked.

He was extremely warm, with pretty brown eyes and a kind smile.

"I'm having a great time. Everything is really original. I don't see any of your work here though. You are Isabella Swan, the photographer?"

"Yes, just Bella though."

"I'm Riley, it's so nice to meet you."

"Oh, you're so sweet. You too, Riley."

"Are none of your works out tonight?"

"No, all my stuff is at one of our other locations."

"Yeah, I was just there during the day on Thursday. Your family's beautiful."

He must have seen something with the boys in it, or Emmett, or even Alice, Jasper, and Sam. "I'm so glad. I can give you my card if you're interested in me doing any events or just some nice family shots."

"Oh, all my family's out in Jersey."

I was really enjoying his company. He was a super sweet and friendly guy. And that smile was just to die for. He reminded me of someone, but I had no idea who. It was such an odd feeling. Like when something's on the tip of your tongue.

"How come you're here all alone?" I asked.

"I just finished college and felt like it was time to get out there and find myself, you know? LA felt like a good place."

I nodded, "I think I understand. We all go through that stage in our lives. It's scary, but rewarding in the end."

"I hope so," he smiled.

"You'll find what you're looking for."

"Thank you for saying that Bella. . . Is your family here tonight?"

"No," I frowned, missing them. Even Jasper, Alice, and Sam weren't here tonight. "They can't come to every one of these things. My kids have school in the morning and my husband's a very busy guy."

"Yeah, I can imagine."

And then it became a little strange. I wasn't sure what he meant by that. I guess he noticed my look because he continued.

"Well, everyone knows who Emmett McCarty is."

I gave a small laugh, glad the media had laid off of us since a few years back. We'd become boring for them.

"I guess so. It's still weird when people follow us around for photos and stuff. It's not like he's an actor or anything."

"I think it's the whole story really—of how young he was when he took over a multi-billion dollar company and the fact that he liked to party so much before that. . . Then you and the kids came into the picture and it was a huge story. . . I read a lot," he explained his knowledge.

"Clearly," I laughed. I really shouldn't find it weird, everyone who watched television or read magazines knew who my husband was, and therefore, who I and our children were.

"I don't mean to be weird," he gave an apologetic look. "I'm not a weirdo or anything. . . Although a weirdo would probably say that."

I laughed and he laughed along with me, "I don't think you're a weirdo at all, Riley, don't worry."

He smiled and nodded, "I did see something that caught my eyes around that way," he pointed. "But I don't think I can afford such nice art."

As he and I walked slowly to the artwork he had in question, I explained to him how he could bid whatever he wanted on a piece or even speak to the artist. I'd given works away for free before because it was so flattering for someone to like it so much. Hopefully I could work something out for him.


Your thoughts on Riley?