HOOO! *wipes sweat away from forehead* Two updates in the matter of days and I'm still grasping a little bit of my sanity

Happy that y'all liked the "Father-Son moment" I, honestly, adore Jack and Switchward moments.

Especially since he had no reason to deal with kids before – it makes me laugh.

Meet ya at the bottom!

*~WYCHH~*

We stare at each other from different ends of the living room couch. Neither of us saying a word, neither of us backing down from this ridiculous argument.

I'm tired; I've been tired for a mega-portion of this week. Between work, and kids, and the stress of this entire thing my head feels like the black top of a busy interstate. Atleast at night I get to sleep it all away, but on days like today I feel at my worst, like sleep won't exactly come that easy.

"Edward," Bella says sternly, "You're going."

I groan, leaning my forearms against the back of the couch as I frantically scrub at my eyes, "No," I moan.

"Yes!" She begs, "I told you about this weeks ago, Edward!"

The tip of my tongue quickly moistens my lips, "That wasn't m –!" I groan again, stopping myself. Taking a few labored breathes, I begin to speak again, my voice wavered, "I'm sorry, Bella, I must have forgotten."

She rolls her eyes at me with pursed lips, and bends down to pick up a few toys lying around. Dressed in blue jeans and a low-cut T-shirt she looks just as delectable as ever, even when she's pissed at me like usual.

"Well, figure it out, Edward," She says as she throws the toys in separate bins in the corner, "Because you're daughter wants her Father there for her recital."

"I know, Bella, I know that," I shove my hands deep into my blue jean pockets, focusing on a painting of an apple tree and a small woman reading under it. It's rather tasteful. "It's just that work has been killing me, and when I come home I barley have time to shower, and then I have to spend time with the kids –,"

"Oh!" She purses her lips, standing up with a small bear and a toy nerf gun in her hands, "So being with your children is an obligation, now? Is that it?" she gestures wildly.

"No!" I moan, clutching my hair, "No! They're great kids! I just – It's just –," I pause, "I forgot about her recital tonight. I'm sorry. Do I want to go? No. Am I tired? Yes. And excuse me if I wanted to come home, relax, and drink a beer." I say truthfully, choosing my words wisely, "But I will go, Bella. I will get my coat, drag my ass to the car to a school program that will be an hour too long, with the same people I see every day at work, and endure the sounds that Sarah's violin makes like I haven't heard Twinkle Twinkle Little Star every. Single. Night for the past week, because I am a good Father." I ground out, the words still sour in my mouth. Father. Faaather. Dad. Unnatural.

My head snaps up when I hear a small giggle escape from Bella, and then another follows it until she's in full hysterics, dropping the toys with a small thud as she covers her mouth mirthfully.

I raise an eyebrow at her, smirking as she tries to stop through gusts of air.

"Do you find something funny, Mrs. Cullen?"

She continues to shake with laughter, her shoulders hunched with both her hands covering her mouth. I spot her wedding ring catch the light and throw off rainbows against her pant leg.

I take her by surprise as I stalk up to her with a growl and lift her up into my arms, only to throw us both onto the couch. She squeaks, trying to wiggle away from me but I plant myself firmly on top of her, minding my weight by resting on my elbows.

My fingers find her side and I torment her with tickles, laughing as she thrashes under me, begging me to stop. "Ed – Edwa- EDWARD!" She howls.

I grin, I don't think I've had this much fun in a long time, "Yes?"

"Plea – Please stop!" She laughs, her small hands pushing at me chest. Though it's useless, I barley budge.

"What's that, Bella? Speak up," I tease.

"Edward!" she barks out, her laughs echoing through the house.

Before I can even so much as cease my movements her soft warm lips cascade over mine, kissing me fervently. Her legs wrap around my waist and her arms around my neck as she pulls me down, I'm more than happy to oblige and I deepen the kisses. This goes one for a while, me kissing her as she kisses me, and the process repeats.

She stops after a moment, both of our breathes labored in fervent pants while our foreheads rest against each other as we try to calm down our breathing. She smiles up at me, taking her bottom lip between her teeth in quiet contemplation.

I grin sheepishly, "What?"

Her arm unwinds from my neck and her fingers trail over my lips. She smiles smugly, "You're cute." She says quietly.

My bottom lip puckers out slightly as I pout, "I'm always cute."

"Oh, Edward," She giggles, "Why do we fight?"

I lean down and rest my head against her chest, listening to the thump thump of her heat below me, and her fingers find the hair at the nape of my neck, gently playing with it.

"Because you're stubborn," I murmur, resting my eyes.

Her hand lightly swats my shoulder blade, "You're one to talk."

We stay in comfortable silence as we rest, cuddling on the couch just as Edward and Bella. My arms wrap around her torso as I snuggle closer and I feel her fingers cease in movement, only to begin again when she catches herself falling asleep.

But great moments can only last for so long in this house.

"Mommy!" Jack yells from upstairs. It doesn't sound panicked enough to be anything serious, so neither of us strain ourselves to get up.

"Mommy!" he yells again.

I groan as my personal pillow shifts from under me and slides out of my grasp, standing once more.

"I know you're tired from working, baby, but it would break Sarah's heart if you didn't go." She says softly in my ear, stroking my hair, "It's your choice, though, Sweetheart."

With that I'm left with my face buried in a lumpy couch and the sound of Bella's soft footsteps padding up the steps.

*~WYCHH~*

"I don't know how you can –," I begin before I'm cut off.

"Shush!" Emmett shushes me, "This is my favorite part." With the program crumpled in his hand he moves his arms with the melody of the off-key song like the conductor. His eyes are closed, and his brows crease dramatically, really feeling the music.

I roll my eyes, scratching my head with a scoff. It's not like they can see him, we're in the back row for God's sakes. When we arrived to the gymnasium Bella instructed me to wait outside for Em to park the car while she and Rose went in to get spots. Though, the dumbass took nearly twenty minutes to do so, leaving us back fifteen rows too far.

He strains in his chair like a five year old stretching his neck as he tries to get a good look at the stage through all the parents in front of us. "Whoop, whoop!" He fist pumps, "That's my girl!" One of the blonde headed twins smiles on the stage in our direction after her solo is finished and then commences with the rest of the group.

We earn a few disapproving glares from the rows in front of us, giving Em and me the stink eye.

"'Shoosh!' yourself," He whispers harshly, before turning his attention back to the performance.

I grin, shaking my head as my eyes drift to the side in search for Bella in the podiums. I spot her in the dim glow of the stage light on the highest bench. Jack nestled in her lap as her cheek rests against his messy copper locks. She sways gently, talking to Rose quietly with a smile.

I chuckle softly at Jacks pouting expression. He wanted to sit by me and 'Uncle Em,' but was forced to go with Bella and Rose. My attention is disrupted when Em nudges me, "Your girls up."

Looking back at the stage I smile as Sarah stands up, her long brown hair parted as one side hangs in loose curls over her shoulder and the other down her back. Her lips are pursed as she moves the bow against the cords, playing the song slowly but surely with nothing but silence in the audience.

The song ends and, without even noticing, I'm the first one up on my feet followed by Em as we both proudly clap. The rest of the audience follows our example.

After the recitals done and the lights are switched back on, the parents greet their children, telling them how great they did. Emmett and Rose's girls walk up with Sarah, he immediately takes both of them in his big hold, "You did so good!"

They giggle, replying at the same time, "Thanks, Daddy."

"Amazing job," I smile at Sarah when she's done hugging Bella. She grins wrapping her small arms around my waist and hugging me to her as I place my hand against her back.

A small boy in glasses walks past, his parents both at his side as he carries his clarinet case in one hand, "Good job, Sarah," he blushes under the thick black rims of his glasses.

She giggles, "Thanks, Tommy."

I size the small boy up before shooting a glance in Bella's direction as if to say "Who's this?"

She smirks, rolling her eyes as they leave, "He's seven, Edward. Honestly."

I grunt in response.

"Who wants ice cream?" Rose asks excitedly to the children, the four – five if you're including Emmett – cheer gleefully. Rose and Bella begin to walk out of the gym, talking to the twins, but Jack stays behind, jumping into my arms.

"That little boy likes Sarah," I grumble to no one impraticular.

Emmett chuckles, "You could see it in his eyes, he's a player, Ed."

I huff, "Damn musicians."

*~WYCHH~*

After we tuck Sarah and Jack in, Bella and I practically dive into bed. We're snuggling comfortably on our individual sides in the thick warm sheet per usual. Although, I am restless.

I toss and turn, shifting in the blankets until most of mine is entangled around my feet. I sit up with an aggravated huff and rub my tired eyes. My body's screaming sleep, but my brain's not paying attention.

I look over at Bella's sleeping form. Her hair is a tangled mess across the pillows, almost looking black in the tint of the night, though her skin looks creamy white and soft. I lick my lips before sliding back under the covers and then slide my arm over her, moving her to me until we meet in the very center of the king sized bed. She grunts softly, snuggling closer into my chest with a soft moan of pleasure as I bury my noise in her hair. I do my normal mantra, praying to God that I wake up in my own bed again, but tonight I feel like staying one more day wouldn't be so bad.

*~WYCHH~*

Gotta confess – there may not have been a big "Plot twister" in this chappy, but it was still calling out to me.

Have a good day/night! Be safe!