"Rose…" I stood up and she crossed her arms, meeting my eyes with a glare.

"Edward, you know why I'm not happy about this," she said hotly, her eyes flickering down to Isabella before looking back at me. I moved to stand in front of her to shield her from Rose's wrath.

"Huh, when are you ever happy about anything?" She sneered at me and backed out into the hallway.

"Can't you just leave it alone?"

"Leave it alone? I am a part of this family just as much as you are," she hissed while pointing her finger at me. I heard the talking in the kitchen die down to a few whispers.

"I heard about her little problem. You can't think this won't turn into something bigger and that we won't all be dragged into it. You and Emmett didn't think this through at all." I gawked at her before taking a threatening step forward.

"Who are you to tell me what's right or wrong?"

"The person who's carrying your-"

"Rosie, honey, just come back to the kitchen," Emmett said as he came around the corner and wrapped his arms around his wife. She gave him a small glance before pressing her lips together and glaring at me again.

"Emmett, you were just saying-"

"Nothing. Can we not start anything tonight? Don't you and Ma have good news to announce? Do you wanna ruin that?" He interrupted her. She huffed and let her arms fall. Emmett shot me an apologizing glance as she shoved his arms away and brushed past to leave. He looked over my shoulder at Isabella, who was still sitting in the chair.

"Isabella, I'm sorry about Rosie. She doesn't know everything yet and is just very protective, is all. You understand, right?" I turned around to face her and frowned at the fear on her pale face. She stood up shakily and shook her head at me as I started to move to help her.

"I thoroughly understand, Emmett. I'm sure I would be, too if I were Rose. Anyone would." Her voice was small and quiet and I wanted to march out into the kitchen to give Rosalie a piece of my mind, but I knew Emmett and Ma wouldn't be too happy with me.

"Just ignore her; I do." Emmett shot me a look before sighing and rubbing a hand down his face. He had already shaved, which I still had to finish.

"Pa will be home soon. Ma said dinner should be ready in about an hour or so." With that, he lumbered away, his muscled frame almost too big for the narrow hallway. If the atmosphere weren't so tense at the moment, I would have laughed.

"Isabella, I'm sorry for that. It wouldn't have mattered if your situation wasn't like it is; she never takes kindly to new people." She was looking down at her slippered feet and chewing on her bottom lip that had a little scab on it.

"It's fine, really." What a terrible liar.

"I'll just finish with this…" I reached for the blade, but her hand beat me to it and she put her other hand on my shoulder, putting slight pressure on it. I sat down in the chair as she indicated.

"I've already started, might as well finish. Right?" She was putting on a fake smile, but I decided to leave it alone. It was obvious she didn't want to talk too much about it.

She put more shaving cream on my face and never met my eyes once as she finished the job. Her hand was shaky and her whole body was tense. No more happy banter was there in her eyes. She held the mirror up in front of my face and let me take a look.

"This is great, Isabella, thank you. It's a better job than what I could have done," I said lightly. She smiled tight-lipped at me. The easygoing Isabella was completely gone after Rosalie's harsh words.

"Don't," I finally said, wiping my face down with a damp towel before turning to her. She looked up at me with wide eyes.

"Don't let someone like Rose bring you down. That's all she's good at, and just know that it gets her nowhere. She isn't better than you," I said forcefully.

"I think she's right," she whispered, wringing her fingers together.

"About what?"

"That I'm only putting your family in danger. James is a very powerful man, Edward. He gets what he wants when he wants it."

"Isabella, don't stress yourself thinking about James. He isn't good enough to even be on your mind."

"Isabella? Eddie?" Bree walked in with her long black hair down in gentle waves and her doll clutched in her little arms. Isabella instantly relaxed and smiled down at her sweetly. Only Bree is allowed to call me Eddie. I smiled at her.

"Mama says dinner is going to be served now. Papa is on his way home, too." I picked her up, held her close to my chest and held my other arm out for Isabella to take. Riley ran passed us to grab the two kitchen chairs to put back around the table.

"I'm nervous," she said, her steps were slow as we made our way to the kitchen. Bree rested her head on my shoulder and played with the little hairs on the back of my neck. I swore in my mind for what Rosalie did.

"Rosalie won't say anything in front of everyone else. She would never embarrass Ma like that. Not intentionally." She chewed on her bottom lip in a way that made my stomach tense. I looked away and hoisted Bree higher up in my arms. Thinking of how good Isabella felt clutching my arm and leaning up against my side was a terrible idea at the moment.

"I feel like the biggest nuisance ever," she groaned. We turned the corner and my eyes fell on Rosalie, who zeroed in on Isabella, her smile leaving her face from whatever Ma was saying. Ma looked up at us and her face broke into one of the widest smiles I have ever seen before on her face. She almost looked like she was going to cry.

"Edward, you look so much better now without all that hair on your face," Alice said as she came over and took Isabella from me to help sit her down in a chair. There were already platters of food on the table, steam rising and ready to eat. Ma had to keep slapping Emmett's hands away as he went for the food. He pouted and slumped down into a chair. Isabella giggled at him and I basked in the sound. She didn't notice the thundering look Rosalie gave her as she set another plate of food on the table.

"See Isabella? You didn't even nick his face. Looks great," Alice continued, sitting down beside her and rubbing her swollen stomach that prevented her from pulling her chair closer to the table. Emmett and Riley snickered at her.

"Where's Jasper, honey?" Ma asked as she brought drinks to the table. I sat down on Isabella's other side after Riley fought me for it. Isabella and Alice had a good laugh over that.

"Oh, he's feeding the dogs and giving the cattle and horses more water before coming over. He shouldn't be too long," she said. She turned back to Isabella and continued to talk her poor ear off. Rosalie sat across from me with her arms crossed and her head turned away. I rolled my eyes at her and scoffed to myself.

"This all smells great Ma. We should do this more often," I mentioned, looking at all the food on the table. She ran her fingers through my hair as she passed behind me.

"Thank you, darlin'. I love cooking for everyone," she commented. Emmett grumbled as Riley and Bree snuck some food while Ma's back was turned.

"I hope so because your cooking is to die for. Happily." Emmett grabbed for some buttered rolls, but Ma leveled him with a stare that made him slowly retract his hand. Riley hid his smile behind his hands while Emmett continued to pout.

"Sorry we're late," Pa said as he came through the door with Jasper behind him. I watched as Isabella's eyes widened for a second, and I knew it was because of Jasper's facial hair. Now Alice may be able to make Jasper do everything else, but he will not hack off his mustache and beard for her.

No way, no how.

They hung up their coats and Jasper came over and placed a kiss on Alice's head before sitting down beside her.

"Esme, this looks and smells amazing," he said as he piled food onto his plate. He wasn't as big as Emmett, but he ate just as much. Ma had to make extra just for the two of them. Pa pecked Ma's lips, praised her meal, and sat at the head of the table to fill his own plate. He paused only to push his glasses up onto the top of his head.

"Isabella, how are you feeling?" She stopped eating and grew red under all the eyes that turned to her. Rosalie kept looking down at her plate and continued to eat.

Good.

"I feel okay. I haven't needed anything since you left, but I guess I've been pretty distracted," she said. Ma smiled down at her plate.

"That's good. It's not fun to have those drugs in you all the time. I've had patients that I've had to pump full of them and I don't think they even knew where they were when that happened." I've seen it before, and you would swear they were liquored up if you didn't know any better. I couldn't even imagine Isabella like that.

"How are the Weber boys?" Ma asked.

Pa cleared his throat and took a swig of water. Ma's eyebrows drew together in concern.

"Isaac isn't too bad and should be fine by the end of this week. Joshua, on the other hand, had to be taken to the hospital and be put under a constant watch. He's deathly sick and I am shocked that it didn't spread to the rest of them. I will be heading over tomorrow to check on them and then Joshua. It's a terrible thing and I pray he'll make it through." Pa shook his head sadly, as Ma placed a hand over her heart.

"Joshua is a tough little man. He'll pull through, I have no doubt about it," Emmett said as he took more food to pile onto his plate. Jasper glared at him and grabbed more before it was all taken.

Conversation lightened up after that and flowed freely. Isabella and Alice talked about the baby and Ma chastised Emmett for taking food that he didn't need. He apologized through a mouthful and spewed some out across the table. Riley and Bree giggled in glee and shoveled food into their mouths. Ma and Pa chewed out Emmett again before turning on the two. I shook my head at all the banter and glanced down at Isabella beside me. She had her fork down and was looking around at everyone, her doe eyes shining and her lips turned up into a gentle smile. I studied the content look on her face and lost my breath at how beautiful she was. My mind took a sharp turn and I saw her by my side all the time. Holding her hand and taking long walks through the garden. Holding her close and kissing her. Sleeping in the same bed and her stomach growing with my child…

I slammed my hand down on the table and choked on the food that I attempted to swallow while having those thoughts. All conversation stopped and Isabella's hand found its place on my back, patting it swiftly.

"Are you okay?" She asked urgently, holding my glass of water up to me. I grabbed it thankfully and took big gulps, my face beat red. This could not be happening right now…

"I think it's time for some wine. It'll help wash it down," Emmett announced with a chuckle, getting up and grabbing a bottle from the refrigerator. Jasper and Pa gladly took a glass and Ma and Rosalie shared a look. Alice vibrated in her seat.

"Rosie, I know you'll want some. Ma?" He brought over glasses for them and prepared to pour. Ma and Rosalie placed their hands over the glasses and smiled. Pa and I looked at each other confused.

Emmett looked at us all before laughing. "Since when do you not want wine?" He asked Rosalie, setting the bottle down in confusion.

"Well, that's what the news is about," Ma said while glancing at Pa.

"What is it, Mama?" Bree asked, clutching her doll and swinging her legs back and forth.

Ma grabbed Pa's hand and Rosalie grabbed Emmett's. Their smiles were blinding. Ma nodded her head to Rosalie.

"You want me to say it?" She looked shocked. Emmett looked just about ready to burst. Patience wasn't his specialty.

"Esme and I…"

Jasper - 25