Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, but not Merged Souls

Authors Note: Thanks again Pien

Chapter 10

CarPOV

I hadn't been able to find out much about the phenomenon of Merged Souls yet, and I was loathe to contact anyone without talking to Bella and Edward first. They didn't need the added stress, what with the babies, Charlie, Renee and Bella still had to finish school.

Esme had managed to work her magic with the school board and Bella was now registered to complete the final weeks of her senior year at home. Charlie was getting close to being discharged. And Esme was calling Renee today to confirm her flight. Then last but not least: Jacob Black would be gone in the morning headed for Ireland. I had already taken down two deer and Edward was on his fifth with no signs of slowing. Alice was nearby but she wasn't hungry, to be honest she just missed her brother and wanted some alone time with him. Once he had finished with number seven he came back to sit beside me on a fallen tree. Alice came out of the trees to join us when Edward said: "It would seem that I'm eating for five, myself the babies and Bella. I just wish she could give me a little warning when she's going to suck the life out of me. Or should I just plan on gorging myself every few days. Any suggestions you have would be welcomed."

"That might be a solution son. But I think unless the need to tap into your resources presents itself frequently it would just be pardon the expression overkill." I thought it was very funny but neither Edward or Alice were laughing.

I looked at Alice but she shook her head. "I don't think it's something you can prepare for Edward. Each time it's happened has been a very tense and unpredictable situation. So my suggestion is just avoid those life and death situations."

Edward laughed: "You have met my wife right? The self proclaimed danger magnet!"

Alice and I joined in his laughter and before I knew it I had opened my mouth and with tongue in cheek said: "Yeah it really sucks to be you Edward. You have a beautiful wife, who loves you beyond all reason, despite every jack ass thing you've pulled. You are an immortal, who will soon be the father of not one but three very rare hybrid children. And you will bring said wife into our world to be at your side forever. You're rich, have the advantage of an excellent education several times over. And have an amazingly talented and loving family that also puts up with your shit. I can see why life is such a challenge for you." Damn did all that just come out of my mouth? Edward and Alice just sat there looking at me like I had three heads then I burst out laughing. "Hell, that felt good!" Alice and Edward continued to stare at me, "Oh come on, you have to agree, Edward, that your life is pretty sweet now. Well it is, if you put all those near death experiences aside, right?" They were both still staring at me and appeared to be almost catatonic. I was starting to worry just a little.

Edward was the first to thaw he frowned looking down at his feet and sounding very serious asked. "Dad, I'm concerned about the amount of time you've been spending with Emmett these days because your beginning to sound an awful lot like him."

I got up off the log and stood in front of them, "Oh for heaven sakes Edward, get down of the cross, somebody else needs the wood. You kids have been telling me for years to loosen up. And at my first crack at it, you go all Freud on me?" Then both Alice and Edward reached out and pants me! I couldn't believe it, they pants me! Then they rolled off the log laughing their asses off but not before Alice took a picture with her phone. I have now just come to realize that my children really are evil, demon spawn!

Edward got up and gave me pat on the shoulder and said: "You're right about me Carlisle, your right about everything and I wouldn't change it for the world. But I'm also a very lucky man to have such a good role model in you."

Alice danced over to me, went up on her toes and kissed me on the cheek. "Love you Dad!" Then she dashed out of reach and off home before I could get the phone out of her hand. I looked at Edward he was chuckling. "She's going to blackmail me with that picture isn't she."

"Oh yeah!"

"And you're going to help me get that phone and erase that picture right?"

"Ah, no."

"Why?"

Edward started to walk away still chuckling. "Cause she just sent it to...Emmett."

I hung my head in shame. "Well lets go home and get it over with. Is it going to be bad?"

He nodded and said: "Yes sir, cause she recorded the audio as well, on everything."

Edward and I walked in companionable silence. Finally I asked about how Bella was handling the changes in her life. "She's handling everything really well, even though things have been crazy... except she's pissed at me right now about her being twice her normal size... like it's my fault! Are all pregnant women so...so...?"

I smiled at him as he struggled. "Hormonal? Yes they are, and son she's not blaming you."

"Carlisle she looked at her belly this morning and screamed this 'this all your fault'. I think that means she blames me. Yet I distinctly remember she was an active and enthusiastic participant in the event that resulted in her looking, as she put it, like she swallowed a house. I can't figure her out."

"You're not supposed to Edward that would take all the fun out of it. I can see in your case how you would find it more frustrating not being able to hear Bella's thoughts, but it puts you on a level playing field with every other man on the planet son. The secret to survival is to just listen and keep your mouth shut." He looked skeptical. "I guarantee you'll never figure her out! I've been with Esme over 85 years and I can still upset her without having a clue what I've done. You must have experienced this with Bella before. Her being pregnant just amplifies it. My best advice is just let her yell at you. Don't try to figure it out or argue the point, just take it."

"If I do, will she stop yelling at me?"

"No but at least you won't end up saying something you may regret. Look she'll be fine Edward. She'll cry and complain about you to the girls. And they'll agree with her and then she'll get all defensive that their attacking you so she'll come to your defense. And then she'll see where maybe she might be wrong and come find you."

"Will she apologize then?"

"Oh lord no! But she will, after you apologize to her first."

"But I didn't do anything!"

"She knows that. Look Edward don't expect it to make sense. Just. Do. It. Take my word for it, even eternity is not long enough to fight this battle and win. But the makeup sex is worth all the angst! Are you ready to go home now?

Edward got a sloppy lop sided grin on his face. "Yeah, I think I'll go find Bella and apologize."

I shook my head, all he heard was makeup sex. Well maybe his way will work too. Lord knows Bella has never done anything by the book so far, so why should this be any different? "Race you!" While we ran I told Edward I thought that extreme stress or need seemed to bring on the sharing of traits, between him, Bella and possibly the babies. Though I'm still not sure what role they have in all this. But he was still a little grumpy and fired back at me with. "Yeah I agree, but so far I seem to be doing all the sharing."

"I think that has to do with your vampire instinct to protect your mate at any cost. From what little I know the way Merged Souls is supposed work is by mutual agreement so that one mate can't usurp the other mate's talent or strength. But in your case the need to protect is heightened to a greater degree because your mate is human and more vulnerable. And now that she is carrying your offspring that instinct has just increased exponentially. It has increased to such a degree that you will give her what she needs, without her having to ask, in order to keep her and the babies safe. Even if it puts you at risk. It's only a theory but based on the information we currently have it's my best guess." We ran in a comfortable silence after that, I knew Edward would take in everything I said and analyze it before he said anything that was just his nature. But I also felt like he knew I was right. I was so proud of him, with all that had happened in such a short period of time, he always rose to the occasion and never backed off. Bella had herself and impressive mate, actually they both did. And I expected to have an eternity to watch them grow and change. It's not in Bella's nature to remain stagnant and I could see her carrying that into her immortal life, and wherever she would lead Edward would follow. And probably the rest of us as well. She belonged to all of us now in one way or another.

When we reached the backyard I was reluctant to go into the house but I didn't get the homecoming I had expected. Edward informed me that Emmett was biding his time, waiting for the right moment, meaning that I'd never see it coming. I had to chuckle because this was just the tip of the iceberg. This was Bella's influence she inspired playfulness. So I sincerely doubted that our family would ever find the occasion to be bored again. I knew the one change I was really looking forward to and couldn't get out of my mind these days was that I was going to be a grandfather. A privilege I never expected to have. Even my inner 22 year had an opinion. 'Yeah, this is going to so damn much fun with children in the house... and a new species to learn about.' Okay the new species thing was the scientist talking.

Edward cocked his head raised his eyebrow glaring at me. "My children are not a science project, Carlisle. But yes this is going to be a lot of fun! And you're going to be a great grandfather!"

EPOV

When we got back Esme met us at the backdoor, she went to Carlisle and wrapped an arm around his waist he leaned down and kissed her lightly. "I'm sorry love." That really got my attention why was he saying sorry was this the 'say you're sorry' first lesson in action?

Then Esme turned to me. "Edward, Bella feels so bad for all the things she said to you earlier. It's just the shock of waking up and looking like your eight months pregnant instead of the four you were when you went to bed. She's had a good cry now and a nap. And she's been asking for one of your omelettes and her mug. Leah and I are going grocery shopping now before the wolves start gnawing on the woodwork, so we'll see you later son. Oh I saved three eggs for Bella, and some cheese. I hid them behind the blood in the mini fridge in Carlisle's office." As she picked up her keys she turned and said to me. "Oh and don't worry sweetie it's just the hormones that causes the mood swings, she loves you so much she's beside herself that she may have hurt your feelings."

"Thanks Mom I guess I'll go and apologize." Esme nodded and smiled then headed out the door when Leah pulled up with the pack van. I looked at Carlisle like he was a prophet. "My god you're right I'm expected to apologize to Bella for something I didn't do... Great. Okay Jedi Master what exactly am I supposed to say?"

Carlisle chuckled. "Start with I'm sorry then tell her that you love her. And she'll take it from there. And Edward don't say anything unless its 'I'm sorry' and 'I love you', oh and son nod, a lot!"

I have to admit after Bella unloaded her angst at the hospital I was terrified to enter our room. The windows had been replaced so it was useable again. She had refused to allow Jacob's actions make her give up our room. I walked up the stairs concentrating on any sound from the third floor but it was very quiet.

I heard our door open and close and then Rose's thoughts reached me just before she passed me on the stairs. 'Don't screw this up Edward!' God she was one angry woman, but I still didn't have a clue about what I'd done.

Alice's thoughts then reached me. 'She's very fragile right now Edward, but she'll forgive you, just be sensitive.' I knocked lightly on our door, Alice answered and looked over her shoulder before she left. "Just call out if you need anything Bella."

Call if she needs anything? I'd be right here. I would get her anything that she wanted. What the hell did that mean anyway, was it code or something?

Then Alice's thoughts assaulted me. 'Remember what I said... you men are all morons.'

Emmett's voice floated up to me from downstairs "Thanks a lot bro, Bella's pissed at you, and now we're all insensitive jerks, well except for Carlisle he was smart enough to already apologize without asking why. Did anyone explain the rules to you?"

Bella was sitting in the middle of our bed rubbing her belly and talking to the babies. She looked up at me with tears in her eyes and smiled shyly. We both started talking at the same time, then she said for me to go first, so I manned up and said. "I'm sorry...I love you so much."

I still didn't have a clue what I had done but the apology worked! She put her arms out to me and said. "I love you too and I'm sorry I hurt you." I crawled onto the bed with her and she launched herself at me, well as much as she could being that pregnant. I held her and stroked her hair and just kept saying I'm sorry and I love you. This must be the grovelling Charlie was talking about before. He said that Carlisle could tell me what to do. So I spent a perfect night in our bed making slow and passionate love to my beautiful wife. We stopped only once for a human moment and the promised omelette. After that it was nirvana, perfect and absolute heaven! Carlisle's formula was a miracle when used in the right places, and with enough humility. It made the 17 year old in me and all my other incarnations very happy and Bella seemed to have enjoyed herself. That is if the number of times she screamed my name with passion was any indication. Yes I was a very happy man.

When she finally drifted off to sleep I laid beside her tracing circles on her belly and singing to the babies. Masen seemed to be the only one awake and he attentively listened to me as I hummed Bella's lullaby. He thought that I should write a lullaby for him and his siblings, and as I contemplated the beginning of a composition Masen fell asleep. I lost myself in the minds of my sleeping children. There were the bold colours and shapes of Anthony. Beth's thoughts were all butterfly like splashes of colour and giggles. While Masen's thoughts were a muted wash of sunset pastels and shadows. Other than for Bella I had never felt such love as I did for my children and I couldn't wait to meet them.

Renee would be flying in for her visit soon. Thankfully we were prepared with our cover story Esme had already warned Renee about the changes in Bella's pregnancy. I asked Bella again to let me be the heavy for her, saying that I had been a fearful immature jerk, who left her because of the pregnancy. Bella refused, she said Renee was more likely to believe that the Moon was made of cheese, but she would totally believe that Bella was stubborn enough to not to tell me before I left. I hated that Renee would think poorly of Bella but she assured me that she wouldn't think that. To Renee it would just be Bella being Bella and Charlie agreed. Though he joked that he would have liked to see me squirm under Renee's chastisement, apparently she has a legendary sharp tongue when provoked. I reminded him that he would be feeling that sharp tongue since he would have to have been aware of Bella`s pregnancy and not said anything, he shut up pretty fast after that.

The next morning Bella and I ended up taking a very traditional shower together. With Bella being significantly larger now, shower sex was a bit difficult for her. So we had to abandon that pastime until after the babies were born. When we were done I helped Bella dry off since her condition was essentially my fault in her words. It was also my fault that she could no longer see her feet. Therefore while I was down at her feet I felt that perhaps another apology was in order especially when I looked up and saw nirvana before me. Our aborted activities in the shower had made my wife very wet, and her fragrant arousal had my head spinning. I just couldn't resist so without warning I grabbed her hips and sat her on the vanity then I dove in lapping at her clit and fingered her wet warm folds, she writhed against my face as I tongued her. I inserted one finger then another developing a slow and measured rhythm hitting her G spot with ever pass. Her hands were going wild in my hair, she loved to pull and tug on it, and the harder she pulled the more aroused I became. I was so hard at this point I think a whiff of air across my tip would have made me come. Finally Bella's delicious moans became deep throaty groans and then she was screaming out my name. I could feel my beautiful girl tightening around my fingers. And when she came it was hard and amazing! I lapped up every drop of her sweet nectar. She pulled on my shoulders and I rose up from between her legs looking at her sitting there completely undone. With her mouth partially open it took only that one look before our mouths crashed together, tongues pressing for entry then finally surrendering to a long and languid kiss. Though I could have gone on forever Bella still needed to breathe so I ended the kiss reluctantly. It was then that I realized that I was still in desperate need of relief. So I turned back towards the shower assuming that Bella would not be able to or willing to help with my problem.

Thank god I continually underestimate my wife, the sex kitten dug her claws into my shoulder. "Oh no you don't mister! Tit for tat I want my turn. Get on the bed now!"

I flashed at vampire speed to our bed as she strolled out of the bathroom with a smug smile and she gestured for me to sit. The view I had was mesmerizing as Bella walked slowly to me. She was absolutely stunning, round with my children. She was glowing from the shower as well as her pregnancy and I'm pleased to say from my attention back on the vanity. She grabbed a pillow and tossed it at my feet. When she reached for my hand to steady her I shook my head no. She shouldn't be on her knees to me she was my angel and my saviour. Her baby bump was at eye level and I couldn't resist leaning forward to kiss it. She smirked at me then and placed her hands on my shoulders and started to lower herself. I captured her hands as she removed them from my shoulders to steady her as she knelt, never taking her eyes from mine. I was lost in her eyes and jumped when she started licking my cock from base to tip and back down, then back up to swirl around the head and to suck lightly at the tip. She did this several times and my brain was mush. I moaned and groaned incoherently, until I finally begged her for relief, I couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed me firmly at the base with one hand, cupped my balls in the other, leaned forward and wrapped her luscious ruby red lips around the head of my penis and sucked. Then she pulled me deep into her warm, moist mouth I could feel the back of her throat and I almost came on the spot! Her mouth slowly moved up and down my firm erection taking as much in as she could while using her hand to firmly stroke and twist the rest. Her tongue dragged along my length and stopped to nip at my tip. The only thing more glorious than this moment was when Bella comes. I was coming unhinged watching my cock slide in and out of her moist warm mouth, while she looked up at me with half lidded eyes. It was the purest torture and the most blissful heaven. "Oh god Bella, your mouth..." The true torture was me trying to keep from rocking my hips and pushing into her harder and faster. But I laid my hand on her head lightly to remind myself of how fragile she was. I never wanted to hurt her. I was so lost in her eyes, the fire in my stomach kept building to become a tight coil ready to explode and I knew I couldn't hold on much longer. My dick twitched and I exploded in her mouth. My cum coursing down her throat. Bella hummed around my shaft, which nearly had me hard again. She had swallowed every bit of cum and licked my tip clean smacking her lips. I helped her to her feet, kissing her again and deepening it when I tasted myself on her lips. Had I ever mentioned to anyone that I was a very happy man? Yes indeed, a very, happily married man and soon to be father, my life couldn't be better.

After and few minutes I tired to remember the last time Bella had eaten. She was lying on her side against me pinching one of my nipples. "Okay my sex kitten, I'm sure you and the babies must be hungry. And since I've already eaten and you've had an appetizer let's go feed the kids."

She chuckled a little, then said: "Real cute Edward. I see the 17 year old is still alive and kicking. So let's go get me some eggs and the kids their blood. They're starting to do cartwheels in there right now... ooohump... their accommodations are much smaller than they were yesterday... Edward, oh god I think they're using my bladder for a trampoline."

I made the mistake of laughing and got the stink eye from Bella. "Oh so you think it's funny do you Mr. Cullen, well that just earned you the 2:00 am feedings once their born." I smiled at her and raised an eyebrow then gave her my best lopsided grin. "Damn, that's hardly a threat is it, since you don't sleep and...Oh for christ sake I won't need any sleep by then either! Remind me to get even with you after I'm changed?" We both laughed and proceeded down stairs with me carrying my gorgeous wife. Bless Esme she had Bella's breakfast all ready for her.

Charlie was progressing well and getting anxious with nothing to do in the hospital. Deputy Mark was doing a fine job at the station much to Charlie's chagrin. So Charlie, the workaholic Police Chief, was bored. And Carol was ready to clobber him, if he asked her to check with the on duty pack member one more time about what was going on back at Cullen central. But Charlie was a man of action and being an investigator he was naturally nosy. So he'd started poking the hospital developing a network of contacts so when Juan the bio medical guy told him about a pre-schooler that came in to the ER with a broken arm Charlie wanted Mark to do a background check on the parents. The Deputy finally appealed to Bella to do something. Charlie was out of control, he quizzed the staff about every page to the ER and any new patients on his floor, like he was the frigging house mother. So it was decided for the sake of the staff's sanity and Bella's piece of mind that Charlie and Carol would move into the cottage that had so lately been home to Paul and Rachel. After the Irish retrieval team picked up Jacob today, Rachel and Paul would be moving back to the Rez. She and Paul had joined a native couples group and Paul was seeing a counsellor privately to deal with his issues of inferiority.

The Cullen properties were getting full and we were still expecting Renee any day. Bella was of course was beside herself with the thought of her mother staying with us. Again Esme came to the rescue she decided to start the nursery renovations before Renee arrived making a mess of the two guest rooms one was to be used to store construction materials and the other for baby purchases. Renee would therefore be staying at a nearby bed and breakfast. We really couldn't have her staying in a house full of vampires and wolves. She may be kind of ditzy but she was far too observant and was bound to notice something, especially since we kept blood in the refrigerator and her daughter drank at least two units a day.

Mutt retrieval time was approaching so much to my relief Alice stole Bella away, after she ate, to go baby shopping. Alice thought since she couldn't see Bella's future that it would be better if she wasn't in the house when the retrieval team from Ireland arrived. But when they arrived I was thankful to see that they were not traditional vampires. And though they noticed the faint scent of a human, the wolf smell was so overpowering and repellent that they didn't comment. The team seemed to be very efficient and business like. When the paperwork was completed and copies exchanged Carlisle had suggested that they might want to sedate Jacob to make him more docile. It would be in their best interests for the trip. So when he came up from the basement he was still able to walk and talk, but he came across as a drunk, stumbling and mumbling. Jasper and Emmett had gone with the team to hold Black down while he was prepared for transport. When they came up from the basement storage locker or dog house, as they called it. After the team left they both were looking more than a little pissed off and tousled.

Jasper was livid, "Can you believe it that damn mutt tried to make a break for it...where the hell did he think he could go! He trashed my Fender Stratocaster trying to hit me over the head with it. And those Irish meatheads just stood there and watched. Then that big guy what's his name...Riley tackled him right into the piano." My stomach was in my throat he couldn't mean... but he did. "I'm sorry man but they landed on your 1909 Steinway concert grand and it's just kindling now."

So much for me being a very happy man. I was now one very pissed off vampire, but Black was gone, out of my life, at least for a time. And my very pregnant and beautiful wife was happily off shopping for our children. We had an eternity to enjoy our lives together, so my mood improved marginally. But Jasper and I still commiserated with each other over our losses. Jacob Black was removed from our lives for the time being, but I would never underestimate him again. Unless he was dead I would have to remain vigilant in order to protect those I loved. I was not naïve enough to believe that we had seen the last of him. The only question was when and who would come home from Ireland, Bella's old friend or Bella's stalker. Personally I would never trust the dog.

Bella eventually came home, she could see that I was upset about something. She sat beside me running her fingers through my hair, with downcast eyes, until I told her about my piano and Jasper's guitar. She smiled and kissed my cheek. "They're just things Edward they can be replaced. It's not such a big deal is it? It's not like they're the only ones you own." I was stunned! What had she said? I and had no words to reply. My Bella had never been cold or unsympathetic, until now.

Rose had come into the room just then and she knew what had happened just by looking at me then Bella. She took pity on my wife and me because I was so horrified and Bella didn't understand. "Bella, Jasper's guitar belonged to Jimmy Hendrix. And Edward's piano had been owned by Rachmaninoff. They were priceless one of a kind instrument's and are irreplaceable." Bella's jaw dropped and she gulped. Rose just gave her a tight little smile then chuckled. "I'm sure your perspective will change in a few decades once you're immortal. But in the mean time this is one of the few times that you need to apologize to your mate first and a little grovelling wouldn't hurt either. Oh and Bella wear the sapphire blue nightie when you go to bed tonight it'll make him feel better."

Esme and Carlisle had picked Renee up at the airport and Alice and Jasper were helping Charlie and Carol settle into the cottage, while I watched Bella eat a half gallon of Ben and Jerry's Vanilla Ice Cream. Apparently she was nervous. I based that conclusion on the ice cream consumption, the fact that her right leg was bouncing up and down continuously and that she looked like she was on the verge of tears. The babies were very excited that someone new was coming to meet them but very disappointed when I told them that I couldn't relay to Grandma Renee what they were thinking and that they couldn't do any of their 'tricks'. After I finished speaking to her belly Bella started to cry, then the babies got upset. And I wished I could either eat the ice cream as well or just kill something to relieve my tension. I opted for sitting with Bella spoon feeding her more ice cream while she rubbed her belly and I sang to her and the babies. As it turned out we had nothing to worry about ...no cover story was required, there was nothing to hide. Renee didn't buy anything we were selling! I always thought that she was more than a little flighty and I knew that her mind definitely didn't work like most humans. After she had walked out on Charlie and struggled as a single parent all she wanted was to be loved and taken care of. Renee never had a good role model growing up. Her mother had died, before Bella was born, and had been known as the neighbourhood cat lady. Her father had been a neglectful husband who only liked beer and baseball in that order. His family responsibilities were not a pleasure to him. Renee had learned at a young age that her Dad didn't want children. She only existed to keep his wife amused and out of his hair. So Renee had grown up a bit of a free spirit and had dabbled in a lot of weird shit including the whole occult hippy thing as she called it.

When Carlisle and Esme escorted Renee into the house she was laughing, Esme looked stunned and Carlisle was aghast. Carlisle thoughts were in turmoil. Bella picked up on the tension, looked at me and asked: "What's up with them?" All I could do was shrug.

Then Renee descended on Bella and I and yanked her up off the couch I stood up with my wife and Renee pulled us into a group hug, giving us each a kiss on the cheek. Then she looked over her shoulder at my parents and said: "Would you like me to explain what's up?" Renee and Bella sat down beside me, my parents literally collapsed on the adjacent love seat. Bella and I both looked at them and back to Renee, then she started without preamble. "Edward, Bella isn't the only one that can spot a vampire, lord knows I've seen enough of them over the years, the ones with the burgundy eyes are really creepy. Your kind are more human looking and tend to be friendlier." Now I was stunned and Bella, well I don't know what Bella was thinking, she just sat there like the rest of us. "My most recent encounter that really clued me in was when Phil and I were in Tuscany. We were wandering through an old enclosed market place in this little hilltop town when I saw this guy selling books he kept looking around in the shadows like he was doing something he shouldn't. Then at one point he actually hissed at someone who walked behind him. He was very edgy, dressed all in black and wore this ridiculous hat like a 30's gangster. I could barely see his eyes but they looked kind of red, I mean the iris looked dark red." I had to ask how this led her to the conclusion that he was a vampire. "Well he had all these really old books for sale and I bought this old diary from him it was illuminated and all written in Greek or Latin or something but the pictures and binding were really beautiful... I thought it would make a nice coffee table book. But he would only take cash and he wouldn't give me the book saying he would have it shipped. Phil thought it was a waste that he'd make off with the cash and I'd never see the book or my money again. But I suddenly felt compelled to agree with the man. When we shook on it his hand was so cold and pale...just like yours Edward. Then all I really wanted at that point was to get the hell out of there it felt really creepy, he took our shipping information grabbed the book and threw a tarp over the rest and left."

Bella just gawked at her "Mom do you know how dangerous that was, didn't you learn anything while you were married to Charlie?" Renee smiled and patted Bella's belly. "Of course I knew it was a risk. But I hated the thought of my honeymoon only being about sex and tourist traps. It was Italy and I wanted something exciting to remember it by. Anyway there was no harm, and no foul. Phil kept telling me that I'd never see the book, but when we got home it had already arrived. That evening as I was leafing through it I noticed the pictures were odd and kind of creepy they showed people drinking blood and weird rituals, and something about the texture of the pages made me very uncomfortable." Neither Carlisle nor Esme had moved and my brothers and sisters had slowly drifted into the room and were all sprawled out on the floor listening to Renee like she was telling us a bed time story. "So Anyway, I Googled the title to see if I could find out about the content of the book, and it kept taking me to myths and legends sites about Vampires. I had been really keen on this stuff when I was a teen but we didn't have the internet then. So I spent several days surfing the web finding out everything I could about Vampires. Did you know you guys only get a small footnote as the golden eyed vegetarian vampires of legend...funny the vampire legend has a legend, weird huh?"

Now I just gawked at her and so did everyone else in the room. "Edward dear, close your mouth. I know that Bella will have to become one of you. Anyone can see that this pregnancy is hardly normal by human standards and I bet the birth will be traumatic. You must have noticed that her uterus feels like it's made out of concrete. That's all I've been able to find out about what happens to the human hosts of incubi offspring." She reached out and patted my hand. "Sorry dear, but that is the technical term for you since you knocked up my daughter. Look guys I know I come across as a flake. And that you probably consider me a potential security risk, but I would never do anything to jeopardize the safety of my daughter, her children, or those she loves. I imagine that some time in the near future I will have to play my role as the grieving mother. I understand that Bella will have to die to the human world in order to keep the secret. And I can do that, I just don't want to lose touch with her completely. I'm sure you'll think of something so I can see my daughter and the family."

Renee had just taken our world stood it on end and blown our minds, for some ungodly reason Bella and Emmett both started to giggle. Yes Emmett was giggling, which started Jasper and Carlisle laughing and it just degenerated from that point until the noise attracted the pack. I guess by then Bella just figured what the hell, and told Renee about the wolves. Then the whole discussion turned to Jacob Black, his parentage which Renee already knew about of course and the mental illness didn't even seem to surprise her. But the attack on Bella in our room enraged her to the point that if Black were still here she would have shredded him on the spot. Dinner was an interesting event. Renee wanted to help in the kitchen and we knew from Bella that Renee's culinary skills ranked right up there with Charlie's, so Esme and Leah relegated her to prep work only. Carlisle was thinking about the book that Renee had purchased. He felt it sounded suspiciously like the journal that Marcus of Volterra was supposed to have kept about his shared experiences as a Merged Soul with his wife Didyme. In any case from the point of sale, to the description of the book it sounded like a potentially dangerous object to own. It definitely didn't belong hidden away in a human's closet. Carlisle was going to ask Renee if he could buy or borrow it for research purposes. But he wouldn't be able to tell her what the research was because we hadn't discussed our connection with her yet and I hoped the need wouldn't arise.

Once Bella, her Mom and the wolves sat down to eat the rest of us adjourned to Carlisle's office to discuss the book and what risk Renee was in since she lived out of state. It was impractical to have her and Phil relocate when we ourselves would be moving on within the next year possibly.

I could hear Renee ask Bella where we had all gone to and she explained. "The whole watching us eat human food thing is not really very appealing to them. They usually only sit with us to be polite."

Leah choked, and then laughed, "Yeah unless you're Edward! He loves to watch Bella eat he finds it very...um, arousing."

Renee laughed: "Oh Bella he's a keeper!'"

Carlisle approached Renee when we all returned to the great room for coffee and Bella for her blood. Bella had already told her Mom about her unique cravings during dinner. After speaking with Carlisle at length Renee called Phil and told him she had a buyer for the spooky book and that Carlisle was brokering the deal for her with a private collector. He was excited because of the potential windfall. I had no idea how Bella hadn't inherited Renee's ability to lie, but part of me was glad she hadn't because Renee was a consummate liar. She asked Phil to have the book sent by Fed Ex in the morning. But he wanted to know how much she was getting for it, Renee looked at Carlisle and he shrugged then said: "I've been authorized to offer a million and a half Phil."

Renee looked stunned but if she was a good liar, Phil was the consummate haggler. "Tell them two million and they've got a deal. And Renee hang onto the book until you have a certified cheque in hand. Better yet have them transfer the money into our account."

Renee bristled a little at Phil's tone. "Phil love I'll have it transferred into my retirement account. I love you but you know with your little problem, that kind of money would only be a temptation." Renee hung up and giggled: "Phil has a little gambling addiction it's under control, but why tempt fate right?"

The booked arrived the next afternoon it was huge, beautiful and sinister. Carlisle confirmed almost immediately that the book had been penned by Marcus his scent was deeply imbedded into each page. Sue Clearwater had arrived to visit with Leah and Seth the same time as the book was delivered. Renee was at the cottage visiting Charlie and Carol. And Bella was taking a nap, she said that she was suffering from "food coma" after consuming enough food and blood at lunch that even the pack members were in awe of her. Leah took her Mom on a tour of the house and property and when they came back Carlisle and I had been hard at work in his office trying to decipher the book's text. We had been expected to find it written in Latin, Greek or various forms of Italian but it wasn't written in any language either of us were familiar with. It may even be Marcus's own form of short hand but we had no way of knowing. Leah knocked on the door and we invited them in to look at the picture wall. Grateful for the break. If Leah is an open book then her mother was the exact opposite, her mind was disciplined and closed. But she smiled at me and thought: 'I'm wise to you Edward Cullen but I feel for your burden as a mind reader, that is why my mind is silent. But you will find most times I do not share my thoughts easily.'

Carlisle grunted in disgust and leaned back from the open book on his desk. Sue smiled and asked if she could help. Apparently she had a knack for linguistics. She bent over the book and recoiled from the smell. It was curious to see such a reaction from a human so I asked her if she possessed the latent wolf gene. She looked up at me, "No, but among my many talents that I've had to use to provide for my family and to preserve part of our heritage is the curing of animal hides." Great now she knew what this was! This would not go over well with the pack having a book like this in our possession. They would think we were no better than the red eyes. These pages where made from human skin. I hung my head as did Carlisle. Sue cleared her throat. "Relax Cullen's this is very ancient and I know it is not your work. But it's not the first time I've seen this kind of hide used for books. Humans have been just as barbaric Carlisle Cullen."

Leah was walking around the desk and leaned down to get a better look at the book. Then she tapped Carlisle on the shoulder. "May I?" He relinquished his seat and she pulled the book over and turning it upside down. "Whoa I'd say you got yourself one hell of a puzzle here." Leah was not without her hidden talents in this case she seemed to be a bit of a puzzle savant. "Hey Mom, remember you telling me about how our written language was developed phonetically? Look at this and sound out this text. What does it remind you of?" Sue stepped forward looking over Leah's shoulder. "Read the words right to left Mom and across both pages."

Sue moved to Leah's side and looked down "Uh, you're right Leah!" She faced Carlisle with a very cautious look on her face. "Dr. Cullen this looks like an ancient phonetic translation of the Anasazi language. It shouldn't even exist. The Anasazi had no written language."

Carlisle came forward looking puzzled. "How can you tell?"

Sue shrugged her shoulder and glanced down at Leah. "I'm just guessing really. But it has many of the characteristics you find in the languages of the tribes of the Southwest. For example it's not unlike the English language which has evolved. English people will stumble when trying to read say an original manuscript by Chaucer, but eventually they catch the drift, that's what you have here."

Carlisle sat down. He was wondering what we could do now. Ancient Native dialects were not something we had experience with. "Well Mrs. Clearwater what do you suggest we do to translate this?"

Sue smiled and chuckled then shook her head. "Ideally I'd ask the writer which I assume must be one of your kind. But I sense you don't want to, or can't do that. The next best solution is to get someone who is conversant in the languages of ancient peoples in the Southwest. That won't be easy there are only a handful that I've heard of, so good luck!" Carlisle crooked his eye at Sue. "I'm not that person Carlisle and even if I was this is a huge project."

I finally interjected. "Look Carlisle, Rose and I have the best ear for languages. So Sue could you teach Rose and me this language?"

Sue sighed. "No I only recognize the styling I don't really understand the language. But I do know someone at UDUB that does and maybe he'll help. Let me call him and see what we can set up. Word to the wise though with this book in your possession you're going to have to admit to being a supernatural being if you plan to learn as fast as I think you are."

Carlisle groaned. "Don't tell me that he knows too."

Sue grinned and placed her hand on Carlisle's forearm. "Well not about you specifically. But he knows about the wolves, and that vampires exist. And if he still lived on the Rez he would probably be a wolf. He's my baby brother William."

Leah was giggling and rose to leave. "Before you go Leah, can you tell me what clued you in so quickly to reposition the book?"

"Oh my Dad loved puzzles. He was always using them to get me and Seth to look at things around us in different ways. He said the universe was a puzzle, and that each of us should try to decipher our own piece of it. Plus I've done a lot of baby sitting in my day, and most people don't have cable on the Rez. So I always had a puzzle book of one kind or another with me. Anagrams were my favourite." Then she rolled her eyes at me "Edward, I don't need to be a mind reader to know your next question and the answer is, you really don't pay me enough to do that kind of shit, this was just a freebie boss. Besides I do puzzles not languages. So no I can't help you leech...oops sorry Eddie...Damn sorry again. And I if my Uncle William does get into this I don't want to be anywhere near him he's too damn jittery for me. But when you get this mess translated and run into a puzzle let me know. But it'll cost you."

Sue clicked he tongue and glared at Leah, Leah turned to answer her. "What? I have my future to plan for. I'm not always going to be a wolf or security guard." Leah was a straight shooter and obviously had an incredible mind so we'd be having a talk later about doing something with that mind. In the mean time she had given us a good start, but it was obvious that we couldn't get to work until we spoke with William. And with two or possibly more working from the same text we wouldn't be able to work from this one book which was rather fragile. Alice and Jasper came to our rescue with their interest in photography and all things digital to make working copies for us. If we didn't get this translation done soon Bella and I might be celebrating our twentieth anniversary before this puzzle was solved. If we only had Marcus ...I looked at Alice but she was shaking her head. "Not a good idea brother. He will eventually be contacting us but I can't see why or when he's still undecided. If we approach him, Aro and Caius would find out."

Renee and Carol had hit it off like long lost friends and Charlie at least found it amusing that they both doted on him for a short time. Eventually he'd finally had enough and called to ask if there were any damn fish in our river or did we scare them away. He was very happy to hear that fish were not a food source for us and therefore they didn't feel threatened. So he booked a day to go fishing with Jasper and Emmett. I was invited to go but didn't want to leave Bella at this time, the babies were getting pretty crowded in there and anxious to be born. Carlisle didn't think it would be too long before they arrived. Renee had been with us a week, she had helped decorate the nursery with Esme. She shopped with Alice for the babies, and spoiled Bella to the point that Bella couldn't wait for her to leave. Renee wanted to stay for the birth but realized she couldn't since Bella would have to be changed immediately after the delivery. Plus we had no idea how the babies would react to a human on site. So she was forced to say her goodbyes making us promise to stay in touch after Bella's change. Emmett promised to post pictures on a private and secure website for Renee but there could be no hard copies made which made her sad but she understood.

Bella was weepy for days after her Mom left and she spent more and more time sitting in her old rocking chair in the nursery talking to the babies or making and remaking the cribs and rearranging linens furniture and baby supplies. Carlisle said she was nesting so her time was near. But I knew it wasn't just the babies that were bothering her. It was her impending change. When I finally got her to open up I was astonished at what was bothering her. The silly woman had it in her head that I wouldn't love her as much without her pulse and her tempting blood. But her biggest worry was how long it would be before she could be around the babies. Everything we'd been able to find out indicated that the babies would have a pulse but what this would mean to Bella as a newborn we weren't sure. Siobhan hadn't taken any chances with Shawn when he was born she had him fostered while she and Liam looked after the newborn Maggie.

BPOV

Everything has been changing so fast, sometimes I just can't get my head around it. Edward has been so sweet but he's driving me crazy with all the attention. Like I'm going to break! He thinks that I'm worried about if he'll love me the same after I'm changed. But I finally realized that it's not in Edward's nature to go from loving me to an insane degree, to indifference, pulse or no pulse, that man was mine and I was his forever. The only thing I was really concerned about was how long it would be before I could hold my babies. And I wanted them OUT! My back was killing, my bladder held exactly a teaspoon before I had to pee, I had to have a bathroom nearby at all times. I couldn't make it up and downstairs because I couldn't see the steps, or my feet! I was trapped in this room, thank god for the bathroom, since I refuse to let Edward carry me everywhere. It just feels stupid and makes me feel even more hopeless and helpless. Emmett and Jasper keep changing the bedding on the cribs and rearranging things in the nursery. I think they trying to push my buttons. And it takes for fucking ever to get out of this damn rocking chair. The only chuckle I get out of it all is that Carlisle thinks I'm nesting! But I was so tired of not seeing my feet and not being able to lie on my stomach. I really miss not being able to have Edward lay on top of me, that was a real bummer. And now that I was getting closer to my time I was getting hornier than ever. And Edward had cut me off! Yeah, he'd cut me off! Ouch, oh my god, they were coming! ...you know the old saying be careful what you wish for you, well damn I should have kept my big mouth shut... "EDWARD! CARLISLE!" Oh Hell, here we go, Edward came flying into the room followed shortly by the rest of the family, he scooped me up and had me in Carlisle's Study/Delivery Room before it registered with my brain. The pain was phenomenal, so where were the fucking drugs!

Edward was beside himself. "Carlisle please ...can't you do something..."

Carlisle leaned over me and said: "Bella I'm going to put you to sleep now. I'm sorry you can't be awake for the birth but Emmett has cameras set up to capture everything."

Edward leaned in and kissed me passionately, "I love you so much, we'll be together forever, soon I promise." Then a mask covered my face and everything went black.