Bella's POV:

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Micah and Noah, happy birthday to you!" Everyone sang in unison as my sons leaned forward, hands linked, and blew out their candles.

I snuggled into Paul's chest and he wrapped his arms around my waist sighing contently into my hair.

I had been so upset and nervous when he had disappeared this morning and then after I had my meltdown in Emily's arms and told her what was really scaring me. The first thing that came to mind this morning when Paul had left without kissing me good bye was that maybe this was all too much too fast for him. We had three children within 3 years and had only been dating for such a short time before we found out about the twins.

When he had given me the ring and explained why he had just taken off I felt so guilty for doubting him and I swore silently to myself I would never do it again.

I glanced around the room and my eyes fell on my dad. He was holding tightly onto Molly and he looked so giddy with happiness. She was playing with his badge completely enthralled with the gold color of his sheriff's star.

Dad was going to take all three kids this evening so that we could have a grown up's dinner with all our friends and it was something I was really looking forward to especially now that Paul and I had worked out that little kink in our relationship.

I was trying really hard not to let any emotions about Edward rise to the surface and so far it had been challenging but I'd managed to do it. I was so worried that he'd try to pull something but at the same time I had a feeling he wouldn't do anything that would ruin his chances of getting back together with me. Of course I could be completely off base.

"Earth to Bells!" Paul teased gently shaking me out of my reverie.

"Oops sorry guys I must not have slept enough last night" I felt the familiar rush of a crimson blush appearing on my cheeks.

I felt Paul's worried gaze fall on me and I gave him a small reassuring smile.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Rosalie asked placing a cool hand on my shoulder.

"I'm fine" I smiled weakly. I knew we'd all talk about it later and right now I just wanted to get through the boy's party without any drama. "Let's open presents!" I exclaimed making sure to infuse my voice with as much enthusiasm as humanly possible as I squirmed out of Paul's embrace and knelt next to my toddlers. It kind of made me sad to think that I had two toddlers now. My babies were growing up way too fast for my liking.

"Presents mama!" Micah asked excitedly. I noted that both he and Noah were bouncing slightly in their seats.

"Yup. Lots of presents just for the two of you!" I exclaimed grasping one of each of their hands and pulling them gently off their seats. I led them to the living room and everyone followed perching carefully around the room.

Paul set one present in front of each of them and backed up a little "These are from mommy and daddy" He said obviously pleased with himself.

I loved watching our sons eyes grow so wide with excitement. I glanced around the room as they started tearing open the paper. In my home there were so many people who loved my children unconditionally, who would rather die before seeing any one of them get hurt. It made my heart swell with sheer joy and I caught Jasper's smile widen at my flood of emotion.

I reached towards my dad and took my daughter from his arms and she gave a disgruntled groan of annoyance at being moved. She absolutely adored my dad. Between him and her godfathers I hardly ever got to hold her when they were around.

I lowered my lips to the top of her head and inhaled deeply enjoying her baby scent and cradling her tightly against me. I just felt like I needed to hold her. I couldn't explain the feeling but it was like the time that Edward showed up and I begged Paul not to fight him.

We all watched as the boys shredded the wrapping paper and ogled at all their presents.

"Enough loot guys?" Emmett asked picking one boy up in each arm.

They nodded enthusiastically and he laughed boisterously. Emmett was amazing with them, all of the Cullen's were.

"Well Grandma Esme, Aunty Rose and Aunty Ali have a surprise for you guys when you come over tonight" He teased lightly. Paul and I already knew what the surprise was and we knew that they would be over the moon.

Esme and the girls had redone what was the boy's nursery and gotten them big boy beds for when they were there. They had decorated the whole room in a Toy Story theme.

I felt Paul's breath on my neck as he whispered to me "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine" I whispered back. "Something just doesn't feel right" I admitted cautiously.

He kissed my head and gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze as Alice and Rose started to clean up. "Guys you don't need to do that!" I said anxiously.

"It's no problem!" Alice trilled "We'll get it done faster than you could have anyways." She smiled at me broadly and I let her and Rose continue though I felt a stab of guilt at allowing them to clean my home.

"Bella, hand over my granddaughter!" My dad exclaimed reaching towards Molly. "She and I have big plans tonight with Billy."

"You're going to make her watch the baseball game aren't you?" I asked reluctantly letting her go. Charlie was going to take Molly for the night and Esme and Carlisle were going to take the boys.

"Of course" dad laughed and Molly let out what sounded like a giggle.

Paul smiled and said playfully "Just make sure the two of you don't get too excited and forget her again!"

My dad blushed and said jokingly "It was only the once!"

I watched carefully as all three of my kids were buckled into car seats and drove off with their grandparents. I sighed a little sad and Jasper came up beside me.

"You know they are in good hands" He said.

I nodded "I know it's just I want so badly to protect them from all the worlds evils and I can't do that when they aren't here."

"You can't protect them from everything Bella." He reminded me gently as he gave me a brotherly hug.