I know it has been three eternities since this has been updated, but the past several months have been chaotic, and I'm finally learning how to work with it. Thanks to my new beta on this story, Mizzdee, for getting it back to me quickly so I could post it as soon as possible. The next chapter is the beginning of the prologue event, so you'll be hearing from me sooner than it took to get this one out and I've got most of the middle section of this story mapped out and I'm trying to plan out the end so that I can steer my first Bella and Edward to a fulfilling conclusion. Thank you for your continued support and please leave me a little love.

Also, I'm hosting a contest, called the "Share Your Inspiration Anon One-Shot Contest," for more info check out: http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/u/2580394/

Chapter 9 – The City She Loves & the Place We Call Home

EPOV

As much as I loved Boston, I've never been so happy to leave it as I was getting on the plane to LaGuardia. I had two days of book related stuff, TV interviews and such and then we had a week in the city to just be.

I got us the Ty Warner Suite at the Four Seasons and made sure that I took care of two night's events, leaving the rest of the trip in Bella's capable hands. She said that I'd get to see her New York and I couldn't be happier, because the smile on her face every time the topic had come up warmed my heart.

As the plane landed at nearly 1am, we were whisked off to the hotel by the limousine service provided by the hotel. Check in was quickly handled and soon Bella and I were in bed. But stupid me forgot about the wake-up call. Doing morning shows mean that you're up in the morning, which irked me as I righted myself and stumbled into the shower. Getting dressed in designer jeans and a button down, I slipped on my shoes and gathered my belongings in my attempt to leave without waking Bella. I kissed her temple on my way out the door, and was soon back in a limo on my way to NBC.

The interview didn't actually happen until the 8 o'clock hour, which meant that Bella was able to wake up and watch me talk about the book, movie and her, all from the comforts of our hotel bed. The interview was painless, as these things go, but the one moment where he asked about who would pen the next screenplay was a little dicey, as James had made a big stink about his removal from the project.

I graciously told him that we'd decided to go in a different direction for the next movie, which was part of my series and the studio felt that with my background in screenwriting the project would be better served to have the original creator behind the pen. Sidestepping that possible disaster, I walked off out of the studio where the limo waited to take me to my book signing.

The Barnes and Noble up by Lincoln Center was the chosen location for my only New York event, which meant that it was overflowing with people. They brought me up to the café, where they had the table set up and I was happy to see Bella leaning against one of the tables, chatting with Kim.

She walked over, giving me a large hug and telling me how well my interview went. I was sad that I couldn't have her by my side while I did the signing, but a quick kiss sent me to the table that was set up, while she stood a few feet away, watching with amused eyes.

It was over the next five hours that I signed 2,000 copies of my book, something I never thought I'd do in my lifetime. I kept stealing glances at Bella who watched with a sweet smile, loving my moment in the sun.

When it was all over, we went to have a late lunch, knowing that I had to tape my late late show appearance. I changed into slacks and a different shirt as we sat in the hotel for a few minutes before heading to the studio for the show.

Bella was present for hair and make-up, smiling at me while I was done up again for the cameras. She sat in the green room with me until my turn came, waiting backstage until the taping was complete.

Walking out to the screams of the crowd, I clasped hands with Austin Marks, the host of the show as he led me to the seats. "Welcome Edward, it's great to have you on the show."

"Thanks for having me; I've watched the show for years so it's great to finally be sitting in one of these chairs."

The crowd screamed again and I politely waved, not used to that reaction to me. "Well, why don't you tell me about the latest book?"

The first part of the interview went as many do, the book, the movie, but when we went to commercial, I wasn't sure what the next segment would move on to. It was at that point that one of the producers walked over to Austin and whispered to him briefly, a nod shared between the two of them. "Edward, one of my producer's has been chatting back in the green room with your wife, would you mind if we brought her out part way through this next bit. There's been a little buzz around your personal life since the premiere last week, and I'd love to have you both out here to chat."

I thought about it, but wasn't sure how Bella would feel. "It's my wife's decision. Bella isn't one to be fussed over, so if she's willing to come out then I have no problem with it."

"Great." He spoke quickly, motioning to his producer.

As soon as the show came back though, the audience screamed again and Austin laughed. "Easy ladies, he's married." He teased the audience before turning to me. "Your wife is with you tonight, right Edward?"

I smiled and admitted that she was back in the green room.

"You were married this winter, correct? How's life as a newlywed?"

"It's amazing. I'm a lucky man to have Bella in my life."

"I heard you met her while doing research for your novel?" Austin smiled and I returned the gesture, remembering that day nearly a year and a half ago.

"Yes, I needed a bar that you could believe a woman would own, or at least work at, so I asked one of the young women working at my publisher's office and she mentioned Bella's bar. I walked in, and was blown away by the woman in front of me. I worked there for a few weeks and then we started dating, and a year to the day from that fateful afternoon that we first met, we were married. Bella became so much more than the owner of the bar I was researching, she became the inspiration for Kalliope, a woman that is stronger for the things she's lived through."

Soon they had a camera on her, the pink hue of her skin noticeable on the screen in front of us. "This is a woman I have to meet. What do you say we bring the misses out here to join you?"

The crowd started screaming and clapping as one of the crew people led Bella from the green room and out onto the stage where she walked over to take Austin's hand and then sat in the chair beside me, a bundle of nerves. "Now Bella, what is it like to be married to Edward? I'm sure the book tour was very tough so early in the marriage?" I could tell he wasn't fishing, but rather asking a genuine question, so I reached over and took Bella's hand to ease her anxiety.

"It was hard to be away from him," she spoke softly, "but I've enjoyed the few cities I've seen with him and I'm excited for a little relaxation before we go home."

"So you got to experience the Premiere together for the first time, is there anything else you're looking forward to?" Austin smiled and Bella's blush grew.

"Honestly, I can't wait to get back to Seattle and our normal life. It's been a busy year and a half and I think we'll both enjoy a little peace and quiet."

The interview lasted for a few more minutes before Austin reminded the audience that my book was available now and the movie was due out Friday. We walked out of the building and back into our limo, where I intended to spend the night truly enjoying some quality time with my wife.

As we made it up to the room, we both changed and settled into the living area until the knock on the door signaled the dinner I had set to be delivered at 8pm arrived. We sat at the table; two chairs pulled impossibly close, just like on our honeymoon, and began to eat the gourmet meal of roasted chicken with rice and grilled vegetables.

The meal passed quietly, and was finished with a slice of tiramisu. Once our plates were cleared and the cart was placed in the hall, I led Bella back to the gold swatched master bedroom. I pulled her to me in the comfort of our bed; it was nice to just hold her, although our activities were a little more animated.

BPOV

With the business of the tour behind us, Edward and I woke up this morning to enjoy our time in New York. The only thing on the agenda for us today was one of the shows Edward got us tickets to, so the morning and afternoon was all mine, and I planned to take advantage of it. As much as I loved walking around the city, I knew we'd be walking way too much for us if we didn't at least take the car service to the park. I called down to make those arrangements at the same time I placed our breakfast order.

Edward was in the shower, so I got dressed; absolutely in love with the amazing 360 degree views offered by the large windows, but glad that I wasn't currently on display for the great New York area.

When he emerged, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, we sat down to our breakfast and then gathered a few things, books, a small camping blanket, and our camera.

The car took us to the southeast corner of the park and was waiting at the light to turn in, when I saw the horse drawn carriage. Smiling excitedly, I grabbed Edward's hand and we said a quick good-bye to our driver before hiring the carriage ride. The last time I did this, it was with Leah and the boys, but today, I'd be enjoying the trip with my husband.

Climbing into the large carriage, Benji, our carriage driver, took off up the East Dr. He took us past the Sheep Meadow, telling us that it received its name as the home of a shepherd and his flock of sheep until the 1930's with the former Tavern on the Green being his home. Continuing the tour uptown, we learned the history of the statues and arches across the park and various little known facts.

Finally asking him to leave us near the lake by the Boathouse, I showed Edward one of my favorite places. Walking around to the well-hidden spot, the rock carved staircase, which led to the tiny covered bench, was thankfully empty at this time on a weekday. "This is Wagner Cove. It was something that Leah and I stumbled upon killing time when we went to Shakespeare in the Park, waiting for the boys to meet up with us. It's so peaceful and the turtles and ducks swim right to the water's edge."

"It's beautiful, baby. Do you want to sit here for a while?"

I nodded excitedly as we sat on the small bench and snuggled as we looked out at the water. A few rowboats from the Boathouse floated past, but none ventured into the cove because, unless you were a skilled rower, it was easy to run aground.

Edward snapped a few pictures and then handed me the camera, allowing me to capture what I loved best about the area. Soon we were on our way, making the walk over to Strawberry Fields. That was something that Edward had mentioning wanting to see, and it truly is amazing how many people flock there and how it always seems to have the flowers beautifully placed around the circle in a peace sign while people look on and take photos.

I took the opportunity to snap a shot of Edward crouching to touch the mosaic and then we walked hand in hand to the Shakespeare Garden. The garden in April is an awe-inspiring sight, and having trouble finding it, even with its proximity to the theater, it was a great walk for Edward and I to experience for the first time together.

Exiting the garden, we walked up to the theater and our fun really began. Walking Edward to the entrance to the Delacorte, I showed him the statues of Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest, then I turned and pointed to the path behind us, leading North through the park. "This is where the line started. Now, the first day we showed up, the website said that the park opened at 6am. So we were waiting where it said the line was supposed to start outside the park. Then we found out that the park wasn't really closed and that people were there for hours, so we got on the real line and waited until one of the staffers came by and told us that with the number of seats in the theater, we weren't going to get tickets that day. It was disappointing, but we didn't have many plans, as it was our first full day in the city. So we got off the line and walked up to the theater, trying to find out when people had shown up. The rest of the morning was spent hanging around the park, and that night we saw a Broadway show with tickets we got at TKTS. The next day, we were here at 4:15 with a blanket and plenty to keep us busy. That was when we met Jared and Paul. They'd played a gig that night and then came straight to the park, so they started jamming and we hung out with them. When they found out we were visiting the city, they offered to sit with us at the show and get their friends tickets somewhere else, because every person could get two tickets. We spent all of that day in the park; just stumbling upon all these things that now, I absolutely love. Now come on, I want to show you the Turtle Pond and Belvedere Castle."

The next hour was spent walking around the pond and then taking photos at the castle. The view was beautiful and having Edward wrapped around me made it so much better. From there we walked over to Cedar Hill and lounged with the food and books we brought with us. Just relaxing with Edward like that, finally being that couple that can't get enough of each other and had to lounge and kiss in public.

Around 3:30, we headed back to the hotel, and Edward finally told me what was happening tonight. "Baby, I know you used to love watching Conan O'Brien, so I got us tickets to see him at Radio City."

"You what? Edward, oh my God!"

He laughed and hugged me, before we started getting ready. Eating at a steakhouse that Edward insisted we visit, we arrived at Radio City and I ordered a CoCo, which was a white Russian, and we took our seats. The show was amazing with the jokes at NBC's expense and the hilarity of his songs, not to mention his opening act that had me crying more than once, it was one of the best comedy shows I've ever seen. As we walked out of the theater, Edward bought me a Team Coco shirt and then we made our way back to the hotel. The entire elevator ride Edward had a little nervous energy, like he couldn't wait to get up to the room.

When we did, Edward had a slight gleam in his eyes. "Baby, do you trust me?"

I looked at him a little confused, what would make him think I didn't? "Of course."

"Change into your robe and meet me on the balcony." Edward disappeared into the bedroom and I went to the master bath to do as he said, I knew he was about to do something a little adventurous and I was more than a little excited to see what it was. Stripping down and then slipping on the robe, I saw the blanket lying on the tile of the balcony and shivered. "It won't be exactly like our honeymoon, but I want to have you while staring down at the city you love. How does it feel to know you'll be fucked by your husband in front of a possible 8 million people?"

I shivered again at his words, Edward wasn't the brashest of men, but he did have a mouth on him at times, a mouth I desperately wanted on mine. Stepping out onto the balcony, I loosened the tie on my robe and let it fall off my shoulders as I sat on the center of the blanket, the edges sitting across my breasts as the fabric pooled around me. "It makes me feel sexy; I love when you look at me that way."

Edward's robe dropped and I was blown away by the sight of him stalking towards me in all his glory. Dropping to his knees, he pulled me to him, pushing the robe off my shoulder and attacking my breasts. My hands instinctually found his hair as we sank to the floor, my legs falling open to cradle him. He kissed up my chest, sucking on my neck as I felt him against my entrance. Rocking up into him, he hissed as his tip slipped inside me.

Pressing forward, Edward began his pace, pushing harder than normal as the moment took us over. Edward thrust hard and fast as I melted below him, crying out as he drove me closer to my release. In the back of my mind, the idea that we were doing it out in the open in the middle of Manhattan added a completely different level of excitement for me, but in the end, it was my husband alone that brought me to completion. Edward scooped me up into his arms and carried me to bed, our bodies wrapped in each other as we fell asleep.

The next few days were amazing, we went to plenty of theater as I didn't know when we'd get back and even Edward admitted that the shows we saw were pretty good. Today we were going to the Highline, a park built on an old train line above the city streets, it runs right along the water and is supposed to be absolutely beautiful.

We took the train to 14th Street and then walked the few block through the area where all the big fashion designers had storefronts and then up the stairs and into the remarkable atmosphere. The first thing we saw were these large loungers set up, originally it was supposed to be made to look like a beach, but Jared said they had a major problem getting the water to not leak, so that part got scrapped, but the rest was kept intact. We turned South, walking under the large building that surrounded the station platform and down towards Gansevoort. Seeing the old supports for the piers was so beautiful, how they stood in the water in perfect rows. The lines of the train rails and such was still there, peeking out through the concrete, buried in the flower beds and even mimicked in the architecture of the park and the benches around the area. Coming to the lower end, we turned back and walked through an industrial-looking brick building that had been turned into a work of art when an artist filled the old broken windows with different shades of colored glass, which diffused the light, creating a refuge from the bright midday sun. Most people might not see the beauty in it, but as Edward and I grabbed lunch from the small kiosk there and sat at the wrought-iron tables, there was a subtle beauty to it.

My phone beeped and I checked it, quickly leaving the email unopened when I saw the sender. "You going to answer that?" Edward asked, but I simply shook my head.

We sat there a little while longer before exploring the park up to 20th Street, before turning back. Tonight we were going to one of the clubs that M4B used to play at, as Jared told me that we'd enjoy the acts that they pull in. When we got there it was nothing like I remembered it, but in a truly awesome way. The walls were still plastered with the stickers and postcards for bands that long ago broke up, creating a collage of talent that wasn't quite so fortunate, mixed in with a few of the lucky ones.

The acts that played ranged from folk, to rock, to jazz, but all of them were good and the atmosphere was what made it better. My phone pinged a few more times before I put it on silent, I could always check it later.

We left around 1am, which strangely enough felt late, it's been so long since I've closed the bar, that I can't even party until the early morning anymore. Edward had asked not to be bothered with business while we were on the trip, but I knew he had the email for the opening weekend's numbers on his phone, still unread. "You can check on the movie, you know. We leave tomorrow, I don't mind."

Edward looked over at me. "Are you going to miss it? We could always stay a few more days, if you wanted?"

I shook my head as we walked to the corner, Edward insisting on a cab because of the hour and the wait down in some sketchy subway station. "No, I want to go home. I miss our family and I really want to see Leah. She's all alone and I know she misses Eli. We've been away from our baby mama long enough."

Edward laughed as a cab pulled up in front of us and he opened the door for me to slide in. We rode back to the hotel and fell asleep soon afterwards.

EPOV

As much as I enjoyed our time in the city, Bella was right; it was time to go home. We had a few more months before the babies would be born and I knew they'd be busy. The guys wanted to go camping and we still had to decorate the nursery and prepare for everything. I had told Bella that I wanted to be there for the baby shower. At first, Alice and my mom whined about it, but I put my foot down. These would be our only children and I want to be a part of every bit of it. The guys gave me shit, but in the end they were planning it with me in mind.

Bella loved how involved I was getting in everything and was happy that I wanted to be there for moments that most men would run from. We had to set up the registry when we got home apparently, and then we'd be able to start with the other things until after the party. Bella kept pushing me to go camping a few times before the babies came and I was stoked to do it, because we hadn't gone in years.

The drive to the airport was quick and soon we were through security and on our way home. I had arranged for a car to get us from the airport so that our family wouldn't be inconvenienced. Driving to my parents to pick up Leah, we arrived to my father's laughter as he stepped out onto the porch.

"How's our celebrity son? Was the trip fun?"

I grumbled before clapping him on the back as we embraced. "I'm hardly a celebrity, but we had a great time. How's Leah doing?"

"She's healthy…" My father left the sentence hanging and I was about to ask him what he meant by that when Bella erupted into a fit of laughter.

"She's been that hostile?" Bella grabbed my hand as we turned towards the door.

"Hostile isn't the word I'd use, the hormones are simply making her 'spirited.'"

Even I had to laugh at his choice of words because you could use a lot of phrases to describe Leah, but 'spirited' would never be one of them. We walked in the house to see Leah's feet propped up on pillows as she lay across the couch, a sour look on her face. She looked up and waved us over before pulling me into a hug. "You get me out of this house, because your mother's a sweet woman, but I will kill her if she fluffs my pillow one more time."

My laughter at her threat brought my mother out of the kitchen. "Edward, Bella, you're home!"

"Yes we are, and as soon as Leah's all packed up, we'll be heading back to the co-op."

My mom pouted and walked over to Bella. "I can't even convince you to stay for dinner?"

"Sorry Esme, we want to get settled and everything if we're going shopping tomorrow." My genius wife knew the only way to deter my mother from feeding us was to mention shopping for her future grandchildren.

"Oh, well then why don't I bring you up to the guest room while Edward sits with Leah and catches up? He missed so much being out of town; she's already 16 weeks along." That smarted a little, but I was happy to have it out of the way early. I'd done what Bella suggested and made my call into the studio and got the official numbers on the movie and it was number two in the box office at $32 million, with some blockbuster blowing us away, but for a movie that cost $50 million to make, we would do well in the following weeks as long as there wasn't too bad of a drop off. They'd expected worse, so I wasn't worrying.

Leah told me about her appointments and then talked about the few messages she'd gotten from Eli. It seems that he was in the air so much as the best trained medic staff in the area that they'd get called out a lot. It was a good thing to know that he was one of the best, but I knew she was worried about how often he was out there.

Soon enough, Bella had Leah's bag and I was helping her into the car. Stopping for fast food on the way home, we got into the apartment and Leah went straight into the bedroom to relax.

"I'm going to lay with her for a bit, I'll see you in the bedroom in an hour or so?" Bella was leaning against the wall, and I knew she wanted some girl time, so I nodded and kissed her forehead.

"Sounds good."

It was a few hours later when Bella finally joined me in our bedroom, but it didn't matter the moment we both sunk into the soft mattress and fell asleep.

True to her word, Alice, Danica and my mother were all there bright and early to take us shopping for the baby shower registry. We had already conceded to allow my parents to buy the baby furniture for our house as their present, so I was hoping we'd find something like that today and save me another outing. I mean honestly, how long could we spend shopping in one store?

As soon as the store opened at 10am, the five of us walked in, signing up for our registry before we were handed two guns. Bella, being the smart woman she was, handed me the second gun and announced to my mother and the ninja of shopping that they couldn't put anything on the registry without checking with us first. Each of us had a cart as we walked around the store, because a few things would need carts of their own. We started around the area that was clothes and Alice began filling Leah's cart, claiming that she was buying the clothes for Danica who sat gleefully in the shopping caddy, which was the first thing Bella clicked onto the registry, well first two things technically.

Going through the clothes, Bella and I scanned things that we thought were cute, knowing people wouldn't buy all the clothes off the registry, but hoping it would hint at what we liked. Moving over to the smaller items, like bibs and swaddling blankets and things I hadn't ever heard of before. Bella was scanning all different types of bottles and sterilizers, food processors and little gadgets for the kitchen.

Next was the section for the bathroom and all the things for bathing the babies. My sister was pointing out different things that she couldn't live without. I was amazed by the amount of things we were selecting and the sheer number of things we would need. At one point, I asked who was going to buy all this stuff, but it was then that Bella explained that everything that wasn't bought off our registry would be 20% off after the shower was over. That quieted me, because with the total we had racked up before even looking at the larger items had me scared for the grand total.

Finally, we got to some of the larger items and my mother went right to the furniture. We looked over all the different designs and Bella and I found one that we loved in a dark cherry and my mother was already talking to the associate ordering the set, including an extra crib. Next were the mattresses and bassinettes, Bella was showing me different sheet sets, all staying in the neutral because we still didn't know what we were having.

Finding a cute safari set, we ordered two for the registry and then moved to the rocking chairs. Bella found one for the nursery and another for our bedroom, wanting to be able to rock one baby while the other slept in the nursery.

We were rounding into the section with the strollers and car seats and that was when I lost Bella. She was taking out the floor models and pushing them around, trying to decide between a few when my mother showed her one liked. Bella found a double stroller that could be folded up, but was still sturdy. It was nice and I nodded before she dragged me over to try it out. We clicked it before Bella was looking at the car seats. As soon as she picked out her favorite my mother picked up two and I was going to put my foot down.

"Mom, you're already buying the nursery furniture, you can't buy us the car seats as well."

My mother shook her head and then turned to me. "Sweetie, I'm getting them for us. We'll need our own set for when we're watching the babies that way we don't always have to switch. Ask Alice, it makes it so much easier."

I sighed and acquiesced, knowing that I'd never win. We walked to the area with the toys and I noticed Leah was long gone. I asked where she was and noticed that Alice was missing as well.

"They're up front; Leah's feet were bothering her about an hour ago." Bella looked at me, amazed that I'd missed it, but I was astounded that it'd been that long.

I looked at my watch and was astounded to see that it was 4pm. "We've been here 6 hours? Oh my, God!" My mom and Bella laughed and we selected a pack 'n' play and something called exosaucer and handed over our guns and took our print out of the monstrous list.

Leah begged that we get something to eat and I laughed and told her we'd stop and get dinner before going home.

After we got home Bella took Lady into the nursery to figure things out while I hung out on the balcony. Soon, Lady was scratching on the glass door for me to let her out. Apparently, while I was away, Bella trained the dog on this little grass thing that they would go on and it wouldn't damage the balcony. I didn't want to know how it worked, I was just grateful that I didn't have to play beat the clock by the elevators with her in the morning anymore.

~V~V~V~

The month of May passed by quickly for us and soon I was thinking about the next ultrasound. At the last one, the babies had been anything but cooperative, so we were still wondering what we were having. Leah was now 20 weeks along and showing much to her annoyance at the moment, but I understood her reasons. A pregnant woman's belly seems to be a magnet for strangers' hands and then add to that the fact that she was living with a married couple either earned her pity, or more often, glares from people who didn't know how wonderful what she was giving us was.

Bella had been on her computer more and more often which at first made me think it was something having to do with the bar or the baby shower, but with the constant pings of her blackberry and the nervous look she got when she'd check it had me wondering if she was planning something special for my birthday.

As the next week passed, Leah got a long email from Eli, something she'd been waiting on as he told her as much as he could without worrying her or getting himself in trouble. That email seemed to even Leah out once her crying jag ended, but as Bella was out when the email came, I was the one to comfort her and support her. I was glad that it had been me who was home with her, because it gave me a unique view of her and made me love her a little more for the sacrifice she was making.

The next day was the 22 week ultrasound, which was my third, I had Bella sitting on my lap, Leah's hand clasped in hers as the doctor did all the measurements and told us how perfect our babies were until the moment came to try and determine their sex.

"Okay, your little ones seem to be in a far better mood then they were last time, so how about we take a better look."

The tech started clicking a bunch of buttons and then took the wand again and pointed at the screen. "There's baby A, and she seems to be used to her brother pushing her around because there's no fighting as he spreads out."

"She and he?" Bella and I both asked at the same time.

"We're having one of each?" I asked as the tech printed the pictures with the captions like 'daddy's girl' and 'mommy's little man.'

"Yes and they're doing fine. Now the doctor will meet you in the office in a few minutes, so I'll let you get ready and then you can go back to the waiting room. Congratulations."

She left and I hugged both my girls. "Thank you, Leah. Just, God, thank you so much."

"You're welcome."

The three of us walked out into the waiting room and we sat there looking over the picture of our son and daughter, feeling just how blessed we were.