You know, I have a few people to thank for their support when it comes to this fic. I wrote it because I missed writing and I needed something to work on. The number of Kiwiwards were so few, I decided to try and write one and see where it ended up. The number of you, you've loved this fi, I thank you. Musette, Fran, Miranda, Thank you. EdwardsFirstKiss, my first beta, thank you for making me regret never using a beta in the past.
Well, here's the last chapter. I don't know if you're getting an epilogue or some futuretakes and outtakes. Most of this fic was pre-written and sitting in the Cloud for close to five years before it hit FFN.
Anyway, enjoy!
Watching Rose turn into a mother was a sight to behold. I'd never been around babies, but with the Cullen's, I struggled to. Imagine another life. Toni rarely ever cried, or fussed. She was a good baby, very calm, and she was obsessed with Edward.
I loved watching the way her eyes lit up with recognition when she saw him, her little fists grabbing at the air. She wasn't very vocal, not that I really had any comparison, but I expected crying and screaming. Something.
I still don't know if it was due to my own pregnancy, or this family, but holding my god daughter for the first time had changed something in me.
I was going to be a Mom. Someone's mother. Well, two someone's, and soon too.
My pregnancy was passing me by so quickly, I was scared I'd blink and miss something. My body filled out too quickly, stretch marks appeared on my stomach like a road map to my son and daughter, and slowly everything below my neck turned into a body that wasn't just mine anymore.
Then there was Edward. He'd been my everything for so long, and now it felt like he was so much more.
When he found out we were having one of each, he had burst into tears as he watched the monitor, his fingers tracing the distinct lines of each of our children. It was probably the most touching thing I'd ever experienced.
We'd opted against telling the family the babies' sexes and planned on letting them know once they were born. We may have known, but we wanted the family to be surprised.
Warm hands snaking around my waist, and laying on each of the children, had me leaning back into Edward's embrace. He kissed the spot at the base of my neck. "How're they treating you today, Mama?"
Like they'd been planning this, each of the twins gave a short kick to their father's hands. I'd been told they could hear sounds, and they were always all about Edward.
"They were sleeping until you turned up." I moved Edward hands, so he could feel how much they were moving around.
"It's hard to believe that they'll be here in about eight weeks."
I spun around in Edward's arms, reaching up a little so I could wrap my arms around his neck. He leaned down, so his forehead was resting against mine. "I can't wait until we can meet them."
"What do you think they'll be like?" Edward pulled away a little, a dreamy, ponderous expression on his face.
"I don't actually know." He whispered quietly, though there was a complete wonderment in his voice. "It's so hard to imagine what they'll be like. They could take after me, or my family, or you—don't take this the wrong way, but I really don't want them to take after your mother."
I pushed him, though the smirk on his face let me know that he was just being a smart ass. Then again, I didn't want either of them to take after my Mom either. We were in a better place now, you might even call us friends, but that didn't mean I wanted my kids to take after her.
A tiny part of me is still not one hundred percent certain that she's not a sociopath. If she ever visits my kids, they will be supervised visits-by the whole Cullen clan, and maybe Charlie too.
"You're a dick. I thought you were on better terms with Renee."
He nodded his head quickly. "I'm on better terms with her, yes. That doesn't mean I've forgotten the way she treated you, B. I never want our kids to feel that way about us—now, back to the happy topic. I really hope the kids take after you."
I screwed my face up at that. Jesus, please no. I wanted my kids to do whatever they wanted, which included sports and music. If they took after me, the likelihood of them having that kind of dexterity was slim to none.
"Don't make that face. You're strong, smart, beautiful, driven—you're so many things, Baby. All the things I want for our kids." I ducked my head, leaning forward so my forehead rested against his chest.
One thing constantly plagued me about the twins. Our little boy was still so much smaller than his sister. I know Edward and Bree weren't worried, but I couldn't help the panic that almost always hit me. I always hoped that at our next scan he'd be the same size as his sister, but it's yet to happen.
Every scan that I've had, and I've had way too many, I've crossed my fingers and just hoped. I've been told it's nothing to worry about, because all results show that he's right on track for his gestational age, he's just small. It happens. I'm a new mom, I'm allowed to worry.
Raising my head, I looked back up into Edwards' eyes. "What if I want them to take after you? You're all of those things too, but you're more. You're athletic and musical, and a doctor."
Edward just smirked before rubbing his nose against mine.
"So long as they're healthy, Bub, I really don't care who they look like, or what interests they have. I've waited so long to be someone's Daddy, and it's so close now, I almost can't believe it."
It broke my heart to think of someone like Edward wanting for one thing in life-to be a dad- that he had to wait so long for. He was married to Tanya for years, and still he sat and waited longingly, bringing child after child safely into this world, but never having one of his own to go home to.
He hadn't even had a pet until he had bought Topaz for me.
"Just a few more weeks, and you'll have your own babies."
"It can't come soon enough." Edward's hands quickly lifted my tank top so that my whole belly was exposed and rested his hands against it. I placed my hands on top of his and a few seconds later, I felt a couple of feet mirroring their father's touch.
These kids really were Daddy's kids.
As the weeks passed, I grew. I was in my last trimester and all of a sudden my belly just popped. It only seemed to grow bigger with every passing day.
Though I wasn't really entertaining the idea of more children with Edward, because I wanted to have these two first, I had no intention of doing it in the summer again; especially when apparently New Zealand was experiencing one of its hottest summers in decades.
I was so happy to live so close to the beach because the only good thing about temperature this hot was that I could toddle down to the beach and sit in the shallows to cool off.
I was leaning back on my elbows as the waves crashed over me when I was shocked out of my musing by Topaz plowing into me.
"Jesus, Topaz settle!" Edward panted as he ran through the water, grabbing Topaz's collar quickly so he could settle her down. Topaz was still bounding around rambunctiously, which made me a little worried. I clearly wasn't the only one. "Topaz, enough!"
Though he was scolding the dog, I couldn't help but squeeze my thighs together. The authoritative tone in his voice made me want him. It was a terrible time to be on a crowded beach surrounded by families.
Once Edward finally had Topaz settled, he checked me over. Fortunately enough she hadn't gotten too close and he didn't find anything. "She worried me for a second there."
I smiled, leaning against Edward's side. He quickly wrapped his arm around my shoulders as I tucked myself against him. "I figured I'd find you down here when you weren't at home. Too hot?"
His body heat wasn't helping me cool down, but I wanted his cuddles more than I wanted to be cool. He reached over, resting his hands on my stomach. "It won't be long now until they're here with us."
"It still feels like a dream, you know?" I didn't. Not really. But I think that had a lot to do with the fact that I'd never dreamed of being a mother. Not the same way Edward had wanted to be a dad.
I still hadn't received the whole story behind that, and I don't know that I ever want to. The only reason Edward wouldn't share something like that probably had a lot to do with the pain it had caused him.
I never wanted to see him in pain.
Alice once asked me how I could handle knowing that he was keeping something in his past from me, but I didn't feel like he was keeping something from me.
He was allowed to protect himself, and it didn't really have an impact on our relationship. I don't think it ever did. It was as if Edward had filed that part of his life away in a vault that he no longer had the key to, and that was okay with me.
"The moment I hopped off the plane and jumped into that cab with your brother, that's when my dream started." I felt Edward kiss the crown of my head, and I couldn't help but smile.
He always made me smile.
"Hey B, can I ask you something?" I nodded my head, too comfortable and relaxed to poke at the fact he'd already asked me a question.
"You've never asked about what happened with Tanya and me, why?" I didn't want to offend him by saying it was because I didn't care, but maybe that was the wrong sentiment. I cared about all of his experiences because they shaped him into the man that I love.
"I guess I didn't want to dwell on the stain in your life. I know what she did to you shaped you somewhat into who you are today, but I never want to see the pain in your eyes that I saw when you looked at her at Uncle Paora's Tangi. I guess I figured if I never asked, I'd never have to see you like that."
I sat up, moving so I was sitting Indian style and looking directly at Edward. I was a little worried when he was more focused on the bite marks in Topaz's leash. "Edward, if the things I've heard from Rose and your Mom are anything to go by, I know it was bad and you were really hurt. According to them, you existed as this whole other person. I don't like thinking about you like that—I guess, I was protecting myself from having to see you like that, but you too and because I didn't want you to relive that, any of it, by having to tell your story again."
We were always prone to serious conversations in the most peculiar places. Why would that change now?
"I—I don't know what to say to that, Baby." Edward said, his eyes slightly red as he met my gaze. "In short, she broke me. She crushed my dreams for a future and pretty much shit all over them, and our marriage vows. For the smallest amount of time, I had everything that I wanted, and then it was gone. There's more to it, if you want all the gory details. Do you know what my biggest dream has ever been?"
Yes. Of course I knew, because I was helping him make that dream come true.
I grabbed his hands and put them back on my stomach where I could feel the twins and held them there. "This, this is your dream. You've always wanted to be a Daddy."
He nodded his head, looking up at the clouds, as he sniffled.
"It is, there's nothing I've ever wanted more in my life than to be someone's Daddy." He was still looking up, and I didn't like that. I moved my hands from the top of his and held his face, tilting his gaze down until he met my eyes.
"I know. I think I've always known that. I also know that you're going to be an amazing father. I never wanted kids Edward, ever, not until I met you. Even before you told me, from the moment I saw you with Claire when we were at Uncle's tangi, I wanted to have your baby."
Edward just looked at me, I'd never seen him so focused and determined. "Marry me, today, tomorrow? I know you wanted to wait until the twins were born—I know. I just, I want you to be my wife."
"Yes. Always, yes." He leaned forward, kissing my lips in one of the sweetest kisses of my life.
Once we were home and showered, something that took the two of us far longer than normal, we jumped online and looked into wedding licenses and where we could get married.
Neither of us cared where we went, just that we wanted to go somewhere as soon as possible. The easiest option for the two of us was a registry office wedding. Edward called both offices in Auckland to see if either had space. The city office did, and within an hour, we'd completed all the required forms and locked in a time.
Unfortunately we couldn't get in as soon as we wanted. There was a mandatory three business day wait for a marriage license. Then again, if I was only waiting three more days, I could handle it.
Edward and I could plan a proper wedding later, but for now, we needed to do this for us.
There was a chance everyone would be upset later, but we could handle that. A part of me wanted this too.
There was a small part of me that wanted to share the same surname as my children. Even Topaz's vet had her listed as Topaz Cullen. The dog had taken Edward's name before I could.
Oh well, I was only three days away from being married to the love of my life. Three days really seemed small compared to the few months I had left of this pregnancy, or the forever our union meant.
Yeah, three days was nothing.
Sitting in the waiting room at the courthouse as our officiate finalized everything and it wasn't as nerve wracking as I had imagined. There wasn't an ounce of doubt in my mind that this was the right decision, and as Edward squeezed my hand as he held it between both of his I knew I would never regret this decision.
I would however regret my impatience. My pregnancy had made my paranoia around timeliness exacerbate to new levels. We only needed to be here fifteen minutes before our appointment and yet, I'd freaked out and dragged Edward into the car so that we would be 'on time'. We ended up being an hour early.
"Hey, Edward?" I asked, looking up into his face.
He met my eyes with a smile on his face, "Yes, My Love?"
I shook my head at his smart ass. He'd pretty much been humoring me and all of my 'pregnancy quirks', as he'd started calling them.
"You're still okay with this? Us getting married here, without the family?"
His brow quirked and he smirked. "B, shouldn't I be asking you that? Remember, this was my choice. I asked you to do this with me?"
"I know." How will we explain this to them? "They're your family, Edward. Your Mom, your Dad, your brother and your sister—also Jasper and Rosalie. I just wanted to make sure that you weren't having second thoughts about getting married this way."
I couldn't help but yelp as Edward pulled me across the seat so I was sitting sideways on his lap. "They've seen me get married once, I had the whole shebang. The church, the thousands of dollars' worth of flowers and centerpieces, an expensive bar tab and food I could barely pronounce. I know they'll be upset that they weren't here, but we're going to give them a massive wedding and reception, eventually. We can even invite Charlie and Sue, Leah and Seth, even your Mum and Phil if you want them here. This is just a ceremony, B, because we're united here." He held our clasped hands so that they were clutched between our chests, somewhere near our hearts.
"You know I still want to see photos from that dog and pony show."
Edward scoffed, shaking his head as he kissed the crown of mine. "Sorry, Love. They've all been destroyed."
I pulled back so I could look into his eyes to see if he was telling the truth. Surely Esme wouldn't have destroyed all of them. She at least should have kept the ones of Edward and her family…right?
The way his lip curled slightly into a cheeky little smirk, I knew he was lying. I shoved him in the shoulder. "You can be such a dick."
He lauded loudly, his chest vibrating with the sound. As someone shushed, he buried his face in my neck, still chuckling.
"Well look at you two." A familiar warm voice said, making Edward and me look up.
Peter and Charlotte were smiling down at us, both dressed for the occasion. Charlotte was dressed in a lovely, khaki slip style dress that fell to her knees, while Peter was dressed in black dress pants and a long sleeve button up. He'd left the top couple of buttons undone.
We'd caught up with the couple a few times for drinks at the local pub; I'd normally seen them dressed down for work, sometimes in jeans and a top. Seeing them dressed as they were, reminded me of just how strikingly good looking a couple they were.
With their athletic frames, striking eyes and hair that favored red over brown, they were stunning. Especially the way that dress hung on Charlotte's frame. I was body confident, but I definitely had body envy.
"Thank you two so much for doing this." Edward said, standing quickly and helping me to my feet.
As Edward greeted Charlotte, I went to Peter, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, before doing the same to Charlotte. Edward and Peter did the whole hand shake, man-hug thing, but it lasted longer than normal as Peter whispered in Edward's ear. When they pulled away, they were both smiling brightly.
I looked at Edward, wondering if he'd share, 'later' he mouthed.
"So, I know we're early, which makes you two really early." Peter announced with a cheeky grin.
I blushed, looking at the clock by the counter, noting that we still had twenty minutes before our appointment.
"We were getting angsty and Topaz was acting up because of it, so we figured we might as well come here." I looked at Edward with wide eyes.
It wasn't a complete lie; Topaz had been acting weird this morning. I hadn't stopped to think that she may have been reacting to my anxious energy. I owed her a massive treat when we got home, and a nice long walk too…Maybe, Edward too.
"That makes sense." Peter said with a shrug. Just as we were getting ready to sit back down, our officiate came down the hall and asked if we were okay to go through the ceremony early.
No one hesitated as we followed behind her. She ran through a couple of things and we had previously practiced saying our vows back and forth. I'd never felt so sure about anything in my life.
"Okay, Isabella, please repeat after me." The officiate led after a quick greeting and running us through a briefing of what to expect.
I didn't hesitate as I repeated after her. "I vow that I do not know of any legal objections to this marriage between myself Isabella Swan and Edward Cullen." Everything that I repeated after that was a blur. I was too stunned by the look in Edward's eyes. They were so bright; practically radiating the love he felt toward me, I hoped mine showed him the same.
It only took a short few minutes, but they felt like the shortest minutes of my life, and before I knew it we were signing our marriage certificate, and then Peter and Charlotte were signing as our witnesses.
We were handed a gift, a small token of our union, before we were congratulated, and just like that, we were married.
"Come on Dr. and Mrs. Cullen; let's grab lunch, on us. There's a lot for us to congratulate you for." Charlotte announced with a pronounced nod toward my stomach.
We hadn't intentionally not told them, we just hadn't gotten around to it. They'd gone on a cruise when we'd found out and had been flat out busy since they had gotten back. It'd been a good three months since we'd seen them. I hadn't even realized I was pregnant back then.
"Sure, can we walk from here, or should we grab the car?" I asked excitedly. It was getting close to lunch and considering how early I'd awakened and had eaten breakfast, I was getting hungry.
Edward thread my arm through his, taking the gift bag from me as he looked over at Peter.
"It's not too far; it's just around the corner. That's not too far for you, is it, B?" I smiled at his thoughtfulness.
"Not at all, lead the way."
Peter wasn't kidding; the restaurant was maybe half a block away, around the corner. We walked leisurely, finally hearing all about their cruise. The way they talked about it had me wanting to go on one. Though I guess it would have to wait for a few years. However, I didn't really like the idea of going on a long cruise, when I could barely handle being in the car for more than half an hour.
The place Charlotte and Peter had picked was gorgeous. It was modern, but rustic with exposed brick and industrial style pendant lamps. It had a very intimate atmosphere, with the most amazing aromas filling the dining area.
I wasn't sure if they'd been told or not, but Thai food was just about my favorite thing to eat. Before I even saw the menu, I knew exactly what I was ordering.
"How'd you guys find this place?" I couldn't help but ask as I shuffled into the booth seat.
Charlotte looked at Peter wistfully. I settled into Edward's side so I could be comfortable as they retold whatever history this place had for them. "We stumbled on this restaurant by accident. This is actually where we had our first date; it's also where Pete proposed."
"I doubt you're blushing like that simply because you had your first date here." I said with a smile as Edward squeezed me to his side. I had a feeling he knew the story, or at least part of it. He and Pete were quite close.
Close enough that he'd thought to ask him to stand up as a witness for us.
And then the story began as Pete retold how he'd spent months befriending Charlotte, so he could build up the courage to ask her out. After about four months, he'd finally managed to get her to say yes, though it was only for coffee. Once they'd started talking their coffee date dragged out and before they knew it, it was dinner time. They wound up walking toward whatever restaurant was open, and the rest is history.
"That's much better than our story." I joked, elbowing Edward. It still made me laugh when I thought about it.
"Yeah, what happened there?" Pete asked, pointing between Edward and me. "We've never really talked about it, we hooked up for dinner Ed, and next thing I know you're bringing, B, as your girl."
I shook my head; I guess we hadn't shared that story with them. I looked up at Edward, wondering where he wanted to start, and he just smiled.
"Did you ever meet, Uncle Paora?" Edward asked of both of them.
"He gave that kick ass speech at your twenty first birthday and twisted your yardy for you, right?" Peter asked, while Charlotte looked confused. I guess she hadn't been at Edward's twenty first.
"Yeah, him. He was—,"
"Was?" Edward nodded his head, and Charlotte and Peter offered their condolences.
"Thanks—anyway. You know how useless I am with women, and Bella is, well at the time I considered her completely out of my league—still do." I shook my head at him. He was such an idiot. "But, ah, B was there when Aunty Ripeka called and told me about Uncle. I—I didn't take it well and pretty much broke down. B was there for me. She let me cry; she asked me to tell her about him and was a pillar of strength while I pretty much just broke down. I'd only known her about three months, and all of this was so new. I was too chicken shit to ask her to come up to the Tangi, but Mum asked her for me. I eventually got over myself and in front of the toilets up at the Marae I asked B to be mine and here we are."
"Pussy." Pete said slyly under his breath.
Before we could say anything else, the waitress arrived. We hadn't looked at the menu yet, but Charlotte and Pete offered to order for the table. I just asked that one of the meals be a Thai green curry, I'd try everything else. Once that was sorted, Edward continued.
"After that, things happened pretty naturally. There was no pressure, nothing. So many times we thought things were too easy, being with B, the way she fits into the family, planning our future. It's always seemed too good to be true. Then B's Mum turned up and shit went crazy for a bit, and we had to shoot to the states. I actually proposed to her the morning we got back. She laughed in my face, but here we are. Married with twins on the way."
"Wow, I don't know whether to laugh or cry for you?"
I turned to Edward, a massive smile on his face. Pulling his left hand so I was holding it between both of mine, I twisted the new ring on his finger. "Laugh, everyone else does. Also, I did still say yes. I was jet lagged."
"Really though, we're so happy for you guys."
I was relaxing on the couch when Edward came running in through the front door so quickly it hit the wall with a resounding thud.
"What the hell, Edward?" I shot up startled, throwing Topaz off my lap in the process. She hit the ground with a yelp before grumbling and dawdling off into our room. She didn't even stop to greet Edward.
Edward watched her walk past him. I could tell he wanted to check on her, but whatever had him running through the door like a mad man seemed to be more important than Topaz. "I fucked up."
"What did you do?" I asked worriedly as he practically climbed over the couch so he was kneeling, facing me.
He glanced nervously over his shoulder before meeting my eyes. Why did he look so guilty?
"I forgot to take my wedding ring off when I caught up with Alice for coffee." My eyebrows practically touched my hair line as I just looked at Edward.
"What!" Before Edward could answer, the Cullen clan filed in through the door Edward hadn't closed behind him.
He hung his head, whispering a pathetic. "I'm sorry."
Damn it! We'd agreed to tell them when I had the twins. Yes, we wanted to have the ceremony only for us, but I did carry a bit of guilt. We intentionally choose not to tell them. That's rough.
Especially when you consider how close the whole family is. I'm sure they'd understand our reasoning, but, I guess I felt a bit bad. Maybe it was the baby brain making me doubt my decisions, I don't know. But then I didn't regret marrying Edward, or even my decision to marry him.
Maybe I felt guilty because I hadn't even told Charlie yet. I hadn't told anyone for that matter. All schools were out on holiday and I didn't take any students over the break because I wanted to be able to relax and enjoy my pregnancy.
We should have thought our impromptu wedding ceremony through a little more.
Too late now.
"Uh, hi." I greeted everyone with a shy wave. On the plus side, only Alice looked completely disappointed.
Rose was holding Toni, the little baby's head resting on her mom's shoulder as she slept. I was surprised to see that she was probably the least phased of everyone. "So, I hear congratulations are in order?"
I nodded my head quickly, standing from my perch and pulling Edward up with me.
"Why the rush?" Carlisle asked coolly. I turned to look at Edward, and he shrugged. How do we explain this?
Edward sighed, making me look up. I could see in his face that he was trying to find the right words.
I won't lie and say I wasn't a bit shocked when Edward asked me if I'd marry him as soon as we were able. I was most definitely very shocked. We hadn't discussed anything wedding related. I always assumed that was because we were both just happy to wait for things to evolve naturally. I'd never actually said I wanted to wait until after the twins were born, in my head it was more logical, but I'd never actually vocalized it.
"Em, don't be a dick right now, okay?" Emmett was looking at his brother mostly confused, but he nodded his head in acquiescence. "You guys all know how much I've wanted kids, right?" The family all seemed to look at each other, eyes varying shades of confusion, but they humored Edward. "Well—and I know this is old fashioned, especially today, but I always wanted to be married to my children's mother when they were brought into this world. I know you guys may not agree, and that's fine. It's just one of those things that I always wanted. Uncle probably had a lot to do with that; he was kind of old school. I mean, B, that doesn't mean I wouldn't have waited if you'd asked me to—promise. Marrying you was never something I wanted to rush because you're my forever and I—"
Edward was rambling, his cheeks and ears flushed pink from embarrassing himself in front of his family. I hated seeing him embarrassed, so I stopped him the only way I knew how. I kissed him.
His words were cut off immediately as his lips moved with mine after less than a second. As he tried to deepen the kiss, I pulled away. We'd discuss his admissions later, when we were alone. Sometimes he really was too reserved when it came to speaking his mind.
"You're my forever too, Edward." I whispered to him before looking back at the family. "Are you guys upset?"
"No, Baby, of course not." Esme soothed quickly, pulling me into a hug. "Would I have loved to have seen you two say your vowels? Damn straight, but I know the impact Uncle had on your life, Son—I'll be honest, I half expected you two to come home from the States married."
That was a shock to me.
"We had bets going, Bub—I lost." I looked up at Carlisle, his disappointment at having lost whatever their bet seemed to affect him far more than our union did.
"Wait, you guys had a bet going?"
I looked at Edward, he sounded awed and angry at the same time.
"I wasn't allowed to participate." Alice grumbled.
"Were you right?" I couldn't stop myself from asking. Alice gave me a cheeky wink. She wasn't upset that Edward had spilled the beans. She was upset because she didn't get a piece of the action.
I scanned the gathered family members to see if I could spot the winner. Other than Alice, no one looked overly impressed with themselves. "Who won?"
When everyone looked at Rose, she just smiled. The glares she received from her brother and husband let me know it was still a bit of a sore spot. Rose was Edward's best friend. They shared a bond that I couldn't understand, but appreciated all the same. She was a rock for him, more so than his own brother sometimes, and I think that had a lot to do with Tanya.
Female intuition probably had her picking up on things that his brother may have missed.
If it hadn't been for Rose, I still don't know if I'd have stood up to Renee. So I could only imagine how many times she'd been an unwavering force backing Edward, sometimes even when he didn't even know he needed it.
"Well, good for you Rose, now give me the baby." Edward laughed, gently lifting Toni from Rose's shoulder and taking her into his own arms. She barely even stirred, as he positioned her against his chest, her little head resting on his shoulder.
She was a great sleeper. She must have gotten that from her mother, from what I'm told, Emmett was a nightmare child. He had colic, never slept and always wanted to be held. Carlisle likes to say they spoiled him too much. Then again, he was their first born. Esme and Carlisle probably had no idea what they were doing.
Peeking over Edward's shoulder, I couldn't help but brush my knuckles against the little girl's cheeks. It wouldn't be long until we'd be holding our own children.
I couldn't help but feel completely overwhelmed as I cast my eyes around the room, taking in all of Edward's friends and family.
It meant so much for Edward to finally become a dad; I didn't want to rob him of this opportunity to have a baby shower. The birth of our children was definitely worth celebrating, but I never really understood the appeal of baby showers. But Edward had been dropping less than subtle hints about a baby shower that I ended up asking him if he wanted to have partner friendly baby shower. He repeatedly showed me how happy he was about being included.
As I watched his cousins, Aunts and Uncles, all congratulate him, I knew I'd made the right decision. Aunty Ripeka had made the trip and so had Emily. In that moment, I knew what we would name our son.
Edward wrapped his arms around my stomach, placing a soft kiss against my shoulder. "Hey Mama."
I settled back into his embrace, shifting his hands a little so he could feel each of the twins. They'd finally settled after all the excitement of the day, though I doubted they'd be out for too much longer. Edward had that effect on them.
"Hey, are you having fun?" I felt him nodding his head against my shoulder.
"Having the whole family here—thank you for letting me be a part of this. I know it's normally something for women, but I really appreciate it that you've let me be here."
I turned around so that I could face him and look into his eyes. "You really think I wanted to go through all of this?" I gestured to all the crazy that was going on around us. The Point had been overrun with neutral baby related gifts, balloons and decorations, with more people than I had in my own family. "There are more people in this room than I have family members."
Edward quickly looked around; his smile brightening as he randomly met the eyes of the attendees. Everyone here was genuinely happy for him-us. There were a lot of 'finally's' and 'happy for you man's', being tossed around. This had been a long time coming. I was a little overwhelmed to say the least, but for Edward, I would endure it. "This is probably one of the happiest family gatherings we've had in years."
"In my wildest dreams, I don't think I ever could have imagined a baby shower with this many people. I'm so amazed; did you see the present table? I'm glad we only brought the basics, there are enough clothes until the twins are walking."
I'd expected a few gifts, but never this many. We'd turned the casual dining room into the gift station and had pushed together a couple of tables for people who'd bought gifts. In less than thirty minutes, we'd needed to put together a couple more tables.
You'd think that the twins were the first grandchildren with the number of gifts we'd received.
"I won't lie; I didn't expect that many gifts. We didn't ask for any gifts on the invitation." I nodded my head as I glanced at the mountainous gift table. I was happy we only had to get most if it up a few flights of stairs.
"It's a—," A sound of silverware clinking against glass cut me off, and drew my attention back to the crowd of humans. The party goers had spread themselves out throughout the foyer, dining area and the back patio. Everyone's attention was caught, and we all turned to Aunty Ripeka, as she stepped up onto a stool.
"Kia ora, Whanau," she greeted confidently, "I know I didn't organise this party. Those praises go to our new grandmother, Esme, and you've done an amazing job." Everyone cheered and clapped for Esme, "today I stand here incredibly proud, but also sad that Paora isn't here with me, but we'd always agreed that the day our boy was blessed with children, we'd give them their first taonga. Back then we never thought we'd also be welcoming our boy's beautiful wahine into the world too."
My Te Reo was still limited, but I knew enough to understand that Aunty Ripeka wanted to bless both our children and myself with Taonga. I won't lie and say I'd never wanted a Taonga of my own, because I had. But I'd picked up enough to know that the stunning pendants that each of the Cullen's, and a great majority of their extended family wore, weren't the types of pieces that they bought for themselves.
I hadn't even seen them yet, and the very idea was making me tear up. I knew that the Cullen's had accepted me whole heartedly and with no reservations, but to be accepted by Aunty Ripeka, who meant so much to Edward made my heart hurt with happiness.
"Come on B, Ed." Emily ushered, grabbing Edward and me by the hand and pulling us through the crowd so we were standing with Aunty. Emily quickly dug through her handbag and pulled out four small, flax, woven gift bags—kite. They were each about the size of a small coin purse, and masterfully woven into a small pouch with handles. Two of them had little white ribbons tied around the top, while one had a golden ribbon, and the last burgundy.
Two seats were placed in front of us as we were ushered into them. Edward and I were each handed one of the bags with the white ribbons on them. I looked at Edward confused. "Open them guys." Emily pushed, practically vibrating with excitement.
Untying the ribbon gently, I upturned the back and tipped out a small velvet pouch. I rested the bag in my lap the best I could, so I could untie the little pouch and fished out the contents.
In my hand lay the most amazing pendant I'd ever seen. It was about three or four inches tall. It had a bird type head, but the body that was more like a snake forming almost a figure eight. It had paua shell as its eyes and what looked like a hand with three fingers. There was a pattern carved into the bottom on a bias that looked like unfurling ferns, I think the design was called kowhai.
Rotating in my seat, I held the pendant delicately in my hand to show Edward, as he did the same. He held a very similar pattern in his hand, though his for whatever reason looked slightly more feminine.
"I don't know if you ever knew this about Uncle, baby, but he was a master carver. For years he travelled over Northland, carving and sharing his craft with as many people as he could. When we bought the farm, he didn't really have the time anymore, and only took on smaller pieces for the whanau. These are two of the last Pounamu Taongo he ever made. Unfortunately I don't know where he got the pounamu from, but I do know that those are Manaia."
Clutching the pendant in one hand, I grabbed Edward's hand and squeezed. Uncle Paora wasn't here with us today, and his presence in his life was missed by Edward every day, but with pieces of Uncle, it's almost like having him here. At least, I hoped that's the comfort that Edward was getting.
I heard Edward sniffle a little, and couldn't help but tear up myself as he fought back tears. "Uncle." He whispered lowly under his breath, but Aunty Ripeka kept going, as she and Emily both wrapped their arm around Edward's chair as he slowly fell apart.
"Paora would have been so proud of you, Edward. You've given him so many reasons to be proud, and you'll keep doing that and being the man he helped raise you to be. Before he died, he carved these. He told me to hold on to them until our boy needed them—at the time I didn't know what he meant, but I trusted him. Son, you know what the Manaia represents, but for you Bella, I'll share the story, okay, Baby?"
I didn't hesitate as I nodded my head. As much as I'd managed to learn about the Maori culture, there was still so much that I didn't know.
The Manaia, the figure in the greenstone—pounamu—is a spiritual guardian; a
Guardian angel, to ward off danger and protect against intruders. It acts as a provider and protector over the sky, earth and sea. As my children wore their taonga, I knew they'd be protected by Uncle. He carved these for them, and for that reason he would always be with them, guiding them the same way he'd guided their father.
When Aunty Ripeka and Emily were finished explaining the significance of the design, I forced myself to stand and wrapped my arms around the both of them, the best I could anyway. Edward joined in too, squeezing us for dear life.
"Okay, now I have these too." Aunty said, pulling back and reaching behind her. She handed Edward the bag with the burgundy ribbon, and me the one with gold. I didn't hesitate as I quickly opened first the kite and then the velvet pouch. Another green stone slid out only this one looked more like two figure eights that decreased in size, with the largest loop at the bottom and the smallest at the top. I looked at Edward's to see that he was holding a white pendant, bone if I had to guess, though it looked more like a tiki design.
"Edward, your Uncle wore that every day for as long as I had known him, but he never wanted to be buried in it. Wear it, be reminded of him and protected by him. Let him be your anchor and your guide, trust him and love him now in his passing just as you did in his life."
Edward, who'd yet to stop crying quickly, pulled the pendant over his head. The three inch tiki resting near his heart—a perfect fit. He pulled the pendant to his lips kissing it briefly before letting it fall back to his chest.
"Bella, when I saw that sitting next to the other two, I knew he'd have meant for you to have it. You see, the twist symbolises the bond between two people, whether founded in friendship, love, or blood. It connects the spirits of friends, family and lovers, bringing them closer together across space and time. It's said to represent their life path. Much like the twists that may occur in life, you two will always overcome the obstacles you face and continue on your life paths together."
Never in my life had I even been given such a thoughtful or more meaningful gift.
"Tena Koe, Aunty." I said quietly, feeling more than a little overwhelmed. When cool hands pulled the pendant from my hands, I was too busy trying to keep myself from completely breaking down to stop them, until I felt those same hands fastening something around my neck.
"I love you baby girl, and Uncle would have too. Look after my boy, don't let him carry everything on his shoulders, okay." Aunty held my by the shoulders as she looked me in the eye.
Nodding my head, as I sniffled, I met her gaze. "Always."
Edward and I waited for the crowd to clear a little before we both squirrelled away and headed into his office. I had a tight grip on my son's taonga, and Edward held our daughter's. I settled into the sofa quickly, joined almost immediately by Edward. I sat the taonga on his coffee table before I pulled him to me.
He didn't say anything as he started sobbing, his shoulders shaking and he took jagged breaths.
I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by these gifts, so I couldn't imagine how Edward was feeling, so I just held him. I could practically feel the minutes tick by as I continued to hold him, rubbing his back and hoping that my just being here for him was offering some kind of comfort.
It took about fifteen minutes before his sobs stopped and he managed to steady his breathing.
His warm hands rested on my stomach. I lifted my top so he could touch my bare skin and moved his hands so they were resting over each baby. Sitting high on my right side, a little smaller than his sister was my son, and sideway across my lower belly was our daughter.
"These guys are counting on you to share all the things that Uncle taught you, you know?" I said gently, not wanting to speak too loudly.
Edward rubbed the spots where his hands rested before leaning down and kissing both spots. "I promise I'll be a good dad to you guys my babies. You and your mum."
"You already are, Edward." His reddened, Emerald eyes met mine. They said so much, held so much emotion. I wondered how I could possibly have been so blind to his intentions for so long.
"I love you—so much." I kissed his lips instead of replying, giving him a chaste kiss. As much as I would have loved to have gone upstairs and shown him just how much he meant to me, the majority of his extended family were a few feet away. "You ready to go back now, E?"
He took a few deep breaths before nodding his head and helping me to my feet. He tugged my singlet back down over my stomach before picking up the taonga I'd placed on the coffee table.
I wasn't surprised to see him put it in the same pouch as the other one, and into his pocket. "They can stay together until the twins are born."
I simply nodded my head, not quite understanding the significance, but happy all the same. Maybe together they could work together to protect our babies and make sure they came into this world safely?
I followed Edward out of the office; I reached for his hand as soon as I pulled the office door shut behind me. I gave it a quick squeeze as I followed behind him.
Jessica, Uncle Embry's wife was the first to find us. A bright eyed Claire in his arms, who reached for Edward as soon as she saw him. Of course.
Edward didn't hesitate to reach for him and pull him into his arms. I watched him squeeze her to his chest as he breathed her in.
"You good, Bro?" Uncle Embry asked, tickling Claire under her chin. It was adorable to watch her slap his hand away.
"Yeah, I'm good. Thanks—it's just hard not having him here, I guess. It hit me when Aunty gave me the taonga."
I squeezed Edward's hand again, and he turned his head to smile down at me. I'd let him know as often as I could, that I'd always be here for him. "I know how you feel. Jess and I just found out we've got another one on the way. The first person I wanted to tell was Paora."
I took the baby from Edward quickly, so he could comfort Uncle Embry. He and Uncle were first cousins, but they'd been brought up like brothers. I quickly pecked him on the cheek, before I headed towards the party—more importantly, the snacks.
I didn't think that Edward and Uncle Embry would form the same relationship that Edward shared with Uncle Paora, but maybe they'd be able to bond a little over their experiences with Uncle.
As I walked past the snack table, I was shocked to find that Claire had drifted off to sleep in my arms. She'd grown so much since I'd last seen her, but when she saw Edward and me, she remembered us and came to us quickly. Maybe she'd been surrounded by too many people and it had finally gotten to her.
The first person to find me was, Alice. I ate through four fruit skewers. I was obsessed with the cantaloupe—rock melon, as they called it here. It so sweet and juicy, I was making a mess of it, but I didn't care.
"Edward and you always seem to end up with the babies." Alice laughed, reaching for a mini savoury pie. She dipped it quickly in ketchup before biting into it. I still struggled to accept marry the idea of savoury pies, but I'd get there, eventually. They really were tasty, especially the little potato topped ones.
"Can you grab me a potato one with ketchup, please?" I asked of Alice. They were just too far out of my reach, especially with a baby in my arms.
She handed me the pie quickly, and I didn't hesitate to bite into it. It was so good! The minced meat and gravy, topped with mashed potatoes and a bit of cheese. "How's Edward doing?"
"I left him with Uncle Embry. They're probably sharing stories about Uncle."
Alice's small hand lifted my new pendant up to her eyes, her fingers gently running over the smooth surface. "It's absolutely perfect for you."
"Thank you." I wasn't sure what else to say. But that seemed to work for Alice.
"Are you both still not going to share the sexes with us?" I shook my head at Alice, not at all surprised that she'd try to get it out of me without Edward here.
"Nice—,"
"Hey Baby." Edward greeted as he joined us without Uncle Embry. "Oh sorry, am I interrupting?"
"Nah, I was just going to find Ma." Alice disappeared quickly, leaving Edward and me in the kitchen with the food. Well, I guess this was technically the backup food, to replace dishes as they emptied in the dining room.
I came here first knowing everything I wanted would be in here.
"Seriously though, I didn't cut you guys off mid-gossip or anything, did I? I really don't want to deal with a pissy Ally once the guests clear out."
I shrugged, I mean, he hadn't, but it didn't take much for Alice to get riled up.
"Ah well, I guess I'll just have to take her word and hope she wasn't just being polite—anyway, I wanted to talk to you about something." I nodded my head. He had my attention. I shuffled Claire to my other side, her little body growing heavy. Edward noticed and quickly took her from me. If I wasn't carrying the twins, I probably would have complained that he was being a baby hog, but it really was easier to not be juggling her weight.
It was a reach, but now that I didn't have Claire in my arms, I reached over and grabbed another potato topped pie and dipped it into the sauce. I couldn't help but moan at the flavors. "What's up?"
"Uh—yeah, right. So, I think we should tell the family, once everyone's left the sexes of the babies." I'm sure the confusion was clear on my face as I looked at him.
It's not that I was completely against the idea. Myself, I really didn't mind. I loved the idea of it being our little secret, but at the same time, it was probably making it a bit harder for everyone who wanted to buy gender specific gifts.
"I'm okay with that, but what brought this on?"
He looked ponderous for a second as he rubbed Claire's back. "I don't know. I guess, other than taonga among other things, and talking to Uncle Embry. I don't see any reason to keep it a secret anymore. I mean they'll be here in l a month. I may also be sick of yellow and light green."
Sometimes he said things that reminded me of Alice.
"Okay, we can tell them when the party wraps."
I didn't realize it would take three more hours for all the guests to leave. I felt bad, but I didn't make those full three hours. Soon after I ate, I ended up disappearing upstairs and curling up on our bed with Topaz for a nap.
I was exhausted, and as much as I loved spending time getting to know more about all of Edward's cousins, Aunties, Uncles and their partners and kids, it was exhausting.
I'd slept much longer than I thought I would. By the time I woke up, the sun had finally set and the moon and stars filled the sky.
I could hear Edward in the lounge with everyone, and it sounded like they were trying to find a home for all the gifts.
I stretched, trying my best to loosen up the twinge in my back. Topaz had slept on my side, and it must have had me in a weird position.
I watched their antics from the doorway of my bedroom. Alice was a little drill sergeant with a clipboard. In the minute or so I'd been standing there, watching my living room buzzing with adults, Alice had either been scribbling notes or giving commands.
Poor Jasper was buried under piles of baby themed gift-wrap that seemed to grow as Emmett, with all the zeal of a toddler at Christmas continued to unwrap the gifts.
Rose, with a sleeping Toni draped on her lap, was working through the gift cards with Esme. This was probably something that Edward and I should have done at the party, but looking at the pile of gifts, that still seemed massive, I was glad for the help.
Carlisle, was the first one to notice me from my post, his eyebrows furrowing as he watched me. He finished stirring what I assumed was tea in a mug and crossed the room.
I was shocked when he started kneading a spot in my lower back that completely loosened up the knot that had found itself there. I couldn't help but sigh, at the instant relief it brought. I didn't realize how uncomfortable it had been until Carlisle helped relieve the tension, I couldn't help but pout when he stopped, and the pain returned.
"Edward, son, come here please?" I turned to look at Carlisle with a frown. Don't stop!
Edward quickly finished writing his 'Thank You' card, before joining us. "What's up?"
He quickly pecked me on the lips before pulling me, so my back was to his front and he could wrap his arms around my stomach. Out of habit, I moved his warm hands so they were each resting on a baby.
"Baby girl, looked like she was in pain." I looked at him with a furrowed brow. How did he know?
"Bella, you wear your emotions as clearly on your face as my son."
Edward turned me around so he could get a good look at me. I didn't want to tell him about the pain in my lower black. It was dumb, and I had slept funny.
"Well, whatever you think it is, you're probably over reacting, Daddy C. Promise. I just slept funny." He didn't look convinced, and neither did Edward for that matter. "You're probably just worrying after you missed Rose's symptoms."
Carlisle rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks tinging pink. Yeah. I called it. "Still, you haven't felt any pains, any tightening of your abdomen?"
"Nope, nothing like that." He didn't look convinced, but Edward seemed buoyed. As he placed a small trail of kisses across my shoulder and up my neck, making me lean a little more heavily into him.
"I'm gonna go back and finish the teas. Would you like one, B?"
"Lemon and ginger, please." Carlisle nodded his head. He navigated our small kitchen quickly, locating my tea stash..
Edward's kisses eased a little, as he buried his nose in the crook of my neck, and just rested there. "Did we get a good haul?" I joked. Knowing that we were really going to struggle to find a home for most of them.
Edward sighed, and I could feel him nodding his head. Edward quickly turned me around, pulling me as closely as my belly would allow, and pecked me on the lips softly. With my arms around his shoulders, I stared up at his face. His bright green eyes, met mine, and he looked so happy.
I quickly dropped my gaze from his and gently lifted the new pendant I knew Edward would never take off. The carving was so perfect, pristine white with a paua shell eye. It was warm, most likely from Edward's body heat, and so smooth under my fingers, almost like it had been polished.
"You reckon he helped you find the strength to ask me to be yours?" Edward seemed shocked by the question, but recovered quickly. He wrapped his hand around mine so we were both holding his taonga.
"I certainly wouldn't put it past him."
That was my opening. "I'd like to name our son after him. It feels right, you know?"
I hadn't realized I'd dropped my gaze from Edward, until his was holding my chin, forcing my gaze to meet his. His eyes reddened a little as he looked at me with so much hope.
We hadn't really discussed names; we'd thrown a couple of ideas around, but struggled to settle on any.
We'd tossed around English names and Maori ones. You'd think having so many to choose from, we'd have agreed on a couple by now, but nothing.
"It would mean so much to me if we could, but I don't want that to be his first name—I want him to have something that's his own." Of course he did. "Besides, I'd like all of his family to be able to say his name."
I shook my head, Charlie wasn't that bad! Edward must have read the expression on my face. "Okay, okay. You win, but did you have something in mind?"
"Well, there are two names I keep coming back to. I didn't really want to say anything until they were born, but they've stuck with me." He shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. But it was! I didn't have any boys' names in mind; I even struggled with girls' names. I wasn't like the women who grew up and just knew that I wanted my daughter to be named.
"It might be nice to have a name for at least one of our kids before they get here." I tried to say encouragingly.
"Okay, don't judge me." He paused, meeting my eyes, almost like he was trying to make sure that I wasn't going to say or do something. I nodded my head, so he'd continue. "Liam. I really like the name Liam."
I rolled it around my tongue, saying it over and over. Liam Paora Cullen. Liam Paora Cullen. Liam Paora Cullen.
Yeah, I liked that.
"Our son, Liam Paora." I smiled, rubbing the smaller baby that was positioned across the front my of my abdomen. "Sounds perfect."
"Really?" I nodded, leaning forward and kissing his chest, before leaning my forehead against him. Edward wrapped his arms around me and gave me a solid squeeze.
"Tea's ready guys, come on." Emmett said from where the family sat around my dining table. I didn't know how long we'd been in our little bubble, but it appeared as though it was long enough for our food to get here, and everyone to be seated around the table ready to eat.
I smiled shyly as we joined our family around the table. They'd ordered UberEATS, and had remembered to order thai green curry for me. I don't know if it was a craving or what, but I couldn't get enough of it.
Everyone must have been starving as they all dished out plates in relative silence. Mostly just talking when they were passing the food around. That's when it struck me; this was the moment that we needed to share with our family our babies' sexes. It was going to be early as hell to call, Charlie, but I doubted he'd mind too much when he got the news.
I quickly grabbed my phone out of my pocket and showed Edward who I was calling. He looked confused for a few seconds, but quickly realized what I was doing, as he looked at me with raised eyebrows.
It didn't ring half as long as I thought it would before Charlie answered. "Hey Dad, I hope I didn't wake you." I greeted, the table quieting as soon as they realized I was on the phone.
"Nope, didn't wake me. I've been up for a couple of hours; I've been on the early shift for a few weeks. How're you doing, Bells?"
"Good, Dad—great actually. We had our baby shower today, I'll be sure to get some photos together to send to Sue and you. There were so many people—but anyway, I wanted to talk to you and the rest of the family, are you able to talk right now?"
I heard some shuffling behind the line as I assumed Charlie had shut his office door. "I'm all ears, Baby."
I grabbed Edward's hand and gave it a squeeze before putting the phone on speaker. "Say 'Hi', Dad, you're on speaker."
Everyone quickly greeted Charlie before all eyes on the table looked at me expectantly. I decided that news like this is best delivered standing, so I pushed back away from the table, and wasn't surprised to find Edward do the same.
"I know we said that we wouldn't share the sexes with you until the babies were born, but we've changed our mind." I caught Edward's eye, as he touched Unc—his taonga. I heard someone gasp, but I didn't see who.
"Don't leave me hanging, Bells. I've got some shopping to do." I don't think Charlie understood the mission he would have to ever see my babies in Mariners anything. He'd be lucky if they ever wore caps. They may have been half mine, but they were being born into an All Blacks family.
I'd leave him and Emmett to have that argument. I had a feeling it would be entertaining to watch.
I grabbed Edward's hand and squeezed. "We're having a boy." I paused, meeting the eyes around the room. Alice looked like she wanted to jump the table and rip the answer from me. "and a girl."
There were gasps, clapping and sobbing that could be heard. Even Charlie sounded a bit rough over the line. The new Grand dad was really struggling with the news, more so maybe than even Esme, whose eyes were shinning with tears.
"Hold the fuck up." Emmett said, shocking everyone at the table. "You're telling me your daughter gets born with instant protection, and I've got to worry about my daughter dating in thirty years—how is that fair?"
No one really knew how to respond to Emmett's outburst. I just assumed that the advice he had gotten from Carlisle and Charlie had settled him down and helped him get over his freak-out about Toni dating.
"Dammit, Emmett—this isn't about you!" Charlie shouted down the phone, his voice a bit rough.
I won't lie, even if I wanted to, there was no way I was going to not laugh at him. He really needed to get over that. But also, I had a feeling my little girl was most likely going to be her brother's protector, at least until he finally outgrew her.
"Dumbass." Jasper threw at Emmett, while the rest of us just smiled.
"Anyway, Dad, that was all I called to tell you." I told Charlie after he'd had a go at Emmett.
Charlie exchanged a few more pleasantries with everyone before we ended the call and faced the family. They all had some pretty expectant looks on their faces. I quickly looked to Edward, who looked about as confused as I felt.
"Just so you know, Rosalie is a great name for a baby girl." I shook my head. There's no denying that Rosalie really is a beautiful name for a little girl, but that didn't mean I was going to name her that.
We still had no clue what to name our daughter, but at least our son had a name.
Liam Paora Cullen. Our son.
Well, there you go. They have a name for their son, one more name for them to figure out.
I also realise there was a lot of stuff in this chapter so you'll find some translations/definitions/explanations below:
Taonga: Typically refers to a precious item or treasure. In this case they were handed the last carving Uncle Paora carved. These are especially significant to Maori, and just kiwis as a whole. They're often gifted in celebration, like their baby shower, 21st birthday, I received one when I graduated University. They're often blessed by kaumatua (elders), we believe if it is meant to yours, you'll never lose it. It'll always come back to you. My dad wore a bone one for years, and he took it off to play rugby and my sister put it on. He never realised he hadn't gotten back off her until a few months later. She gave it back to him, and it feel off the same day and did so for a week before he gave it back to my sister. They're significant and are often seen as vessels sometimes, that's probably why we accept so easily that they're quick to chose their owners. The one I received for graduation clearly wasn't mine, because it fell off the first day I wore it. Never came back to me.
Pounamu (Poe-nah-moo): It's also known in NZ as greenstone, though its actually jade, nephrite jade to be more specific. It comes in lots of different shades, and is naturally found in lots of places in NZ, like rivers and caves etc.
Kite (Kee-teh): Small, woven pouches. A lot of them have handles like tote bags that's normally braided. They're made from harakeke (Huh-rah-keh-keh) or flax. It's dried out and then woven. Try google image searching to see what can be woven from flax. We also make flowers and mats etc.
There's a high chance I didn't get everything that may need explanation, so if you'd like to more, let me know.
As always, I love to read your thoughts!
NicNyx.