Hey guys! Sorry, I know it's Saturday, but at least I'm posting. I've had a really bad 'life to story' week this week. I've had 2 days this week where I was just in no way mentally able to write. But I made myself sit down yesterday and get the rest of this one written so I could get it to Lola and post today.

Thanks for all the supporting and encouraging words last week. You guys really helped me feel better about doing this story.

And those of you that responded to the "Mason and Izzy Chronicles' idea, well, we're going to be seeing that this week in this chapter. It'll be at the end.

There's a little violence and vulgarity towards the end, so heads up on that.

I'm still a little iffy on this chapter. I don't know if it's just my brain's not all there with what I've been dealing with this week, or I'm just paranoid, but I hope y'all like it.

And as usual, Lola (LaurieWhitlock) is my beta that has lost her gd mind since she's agreed to do the NaNoWriMo. You're insane, honey! Lol

And SM owns Twilight. None of us do.

Read on my dears!

EPOV

I almost fought Bella on her taking the kids up to give them a bath and get them ready for bed, but she insisted. Her telling me that it would be good to bond with them is what sold me.

I mean, the kids already love her, but getting to know her and spend time with her will help.

I walk Emmett and Rose to their 'apartment' that is below Bella's floor and show them around.

It's still in its original state, but work will start on it soon.

"Wow, Ed. This place is awesome. I can't wait to see it when it's finished." Emmett said as he walked around the place, taking it all in.

"Well, let me know if there's anything specific that you guys want, or don't want. I want you to feel like this is your home too. It's here whenever you want it."

Rose came over and hugged me. "Thanks. We appreciate this. I think it's a good idea to have the majority of us in one area. Carlisle and Esme have a place too, don't they?"

"Yeah, they're below you guys. Bella is on the next floor up, Jasper and Ali are above her, and I'm on the top floor with the kids." I looked over and saw Emmett rooting around in the fridge, hoping to find something to eat. Good thing Ma went and got a few things for them.

"You really like her, don't you?" Rose said in a low voice.

I knew exactly who she was talking about. "I've loved her since we were kids. I've missed her so damn much, but I never knew if we'd ever get to come back here. I was resigned to… live my life without her. I was gonna raise Izzy and Mason on my own. I don't know if I would have ever found someone to…be a mother to them. But I want, more than anything, for Bella to be that. She's great with them, and they love her to death. They even asked if they could call her 'mommy'. Do you realize how huge that is for them?"

"Really? Already? I woulda never thought they would call anyone that. They knew that their 'biological' mother didn't want to be a part of their lives. I don't think I've ever even seen them look to other women to be considered 'mom material'. I never have, anyways." Rose said, still trying to figure out what Em is doing.

"I haven't, either. I haven't really let anyone else get close to them, or me, even. After Irina, I was extremely wary of anyone coming into my life and being around my children. I guess I've just been paranoid… Em, what the fuck are you doing, dude?" I finally had to find out. He's been buried in the damn refrigerator for almost ten minutes.

He turned around from his spot where he was, apparently, stuffing his face. "What? I'm hungry. And aunt Es brought all my favs." He held up the container of dip that Ma had made and brought over with the groceries. And I now saw the bag of chips, which I had no clue when he found those.

"Babe, you're wasting electricity. Shut the damn door and go sit on the couch with that stuff. And save some for me, too. You know I love that dip." Rose told him, and grabbed a chip and dipped it as he walked by. "Mmm, fucking delicious. I wish she'd tell me how to do this. She always has it made by the time we get to their house, and I can never see what she puts in it."

I smirked, because I knew exactly what was in it. But I wasn't going to tell Rose or Emmett, because it would take away one of Ma's 'nurturing moments'. That's what she calls it. I call it, stuffing Em's face with his favorite foods.

Rose saw the smirk on my face, and pointed a finger at me. "You… better hope that I never find out if you know how to make it. Because if I do, I'm coming after you, Little Cullen." She threatened, and then smacked my cheek as she passed.

"You know, Ro, violence is never the answer." I teased her as I followed her into the living room.

"Says the man who is second in command of one of the biggest mafia families in the country." She teased back.

"I thought I was second in command, now." Emmett piped up.

"No, you douche; you're second in command in Chicago, but not of the family. Get your shit straight." I punched his shoulder.

"Hey, who needs the lesson on violence, now? Hmm?" Ahh Rose was just like the sister we never had.

You had to love her.

"Whatever. I'll see you guys later. Enjoy the apartment." I said as I made my way to the door.

"We will!" They both chorused, and I had to laugh. Those two were perfect for each other.

When I got back up to my floor, I could hear music from the doorway. Walking further into the living room, I notice that Bella is dancing around with the kids to a Katy Perry song.

Izzy is a Katy Perry nut.

Almost as much as she is with Taylor Swift.

Bella finally noticed me in the room, and her cheeks tinged pink.

It was beautiful on her.

I went and scooped Iz up in my arms and danced with my baby girl. She loved her daddy/daughter dancing time.

I just wish she'd stay this way forever. I don't want her to grow up.

I want them to be kids, and enjoy life. I want them to have a mother that they can go to when I'm not home. Someone Izzy can go to when she…hits that stage and she needs feminine products and stuff like that. Someone that she can go to when she wants to talk about boys.

Someone Mason can learn to be a gentleman from, not just from my mom and Rose and Alice.

I looked over to where Bella and Mason were dancing together, and knew that this was right. This is what my life was supposed to be. Bella was always supposed to be with me, be a mother to my kids. Even if she's not their biological mother.

"I love you daddy." I heard Izzy whisper in my ear, and had to fight back the tears.

Yeah, it was gonna suck watching her get older and not have these moments with my baby, anymore.

"I love you too, princess."

We put the kids down for bedtime, and I talked and read to Izzy. It didn't take her long to fall asleep, so I crept out of her room, and made my way to the living room again.

When I get to the archway, I see Bella slightly swaying to the music.

I know the song and actually kind of like it. The lyrics to it, if I remember them right, are very akin to how I've felt over the last years since we've been gone.

"Dance with me, Beautiful." I whispered as I wrapped my arms around her waist.

She turned in my arms and we continue to sway to the music. I close my eyes as I take her hand in one of mine, and wrap the other around her.

This is all I ever wanted to do when I was in Chicago. Her in my arms, feeling her this close, being able to smell her beautiful, sweet scent.

I'm kicking myself for staying away for so long.

I can feel her slightly shaking, and tears soaking into my shirt. And I have to admit, my eyes aren't exactly dry, either.

She's all I ever wanted. And I'll never want anyone else, other than her.

She really is my other half, and I just hope she sees it sooner, rather than later.

When she reaches up and cups my face, and looks into my eyes, I can see that she's starting to get it. And I see love. More than anything, I see love in her eyes.

"I love you. I love you so much, Edward. I can't lose you again." Her voices quakes a little with emotion and her tears.

I can't stop myself when I crash my lips to hers. I have to kiss her. I have to show her how much I love her, without going all cavemen on her and taking her to bed.

But that'll come with time…

I kiss her with everything I have in me, and wrap my arms tightly around her waist, and lift her slightly from the floor, so she's level with me.

"God, baby you don't know how long I've waited to hear that. I fucking love you, so much it hurts." I say against her lips, and then attach myself to her again, with fervor.

I don't know how long we kiss for. It could have been hours or days. I'm gonna be addicted to her kisses from now on.

When I tell her how happy I am, I don't think she could ever really know the extent of my love for her. She's become the very air that flows in and out of my body, the blood that runs in my veins. It sounds cheesy as hell, but she really does complete my very being.

But then she tells me the feelings are taking over every corner of her body, and that's about how I feel, too. So maybe she does know…

We move to sit on the couch and snuggle up together.

I never thought I'd be one to snuggle, but damn it, that's all I wanna do with her right now.

I might just have to turn over my gun and my man card, because there's no way a mobster could feel like this for their woman.

But… dad does. He loves my Ma more than life itself. He'd die for that woman. Jasper's the same with Alice. I'm his twin, and we just know things about each other, without really talking. The second she showed up on our doorstep with a broken arm after her father threw her down the stairs, I saw it. He would kill for her. That level of love, where you put them above yourself, is fucking heavy, but life altering. In a good way.

"I don't want you to go back to your place." I know I was pouting, but fuck, I wanted her with me. I'd gotten used to her sleeping next to me when she's here, or when I went to Forks. I'm getting spoiled by her presence.

And she's right, I know where she'll be, and she's not gonna be that far away, but it's still not the same as having here, in my arms.

I may have gotten a tiny bit ahead of myself with that semi-proposal. I'm surprised she didn't rip my balls off for that. But I at least want her to know where I stand.

And when I do propose to her, it's not going to be in a restaurant or on the beach at sunset, or in front of millions of people. Bella doesn't like that kind of stuff. She's shy, and doesn't like lots of people looking at her. And she doesn't want the cliché.

My phone rings a little while later, and I am so pissed that I have to take it.

"Cullen." I answer, a little more forceful than I wanted to, but they were interrupting my time with my girl.

"Boss, we've got a problem." I heard the voice of Randall, one of my guys at the docks.

"Yeah."

"We've had someone sniffing around at six and seven by the water." Damn it, fuckers are messing with my warehouses again.

"You guys can't handle this on your own?" I ask, hoping that they can do this without having to be babysat.

"Uhh, sir, one of the 'big dogs' was doing the sniffing. And what looked like some street thugs. They didn't look like his guys, but you never know. They're still around, so I called you to see what you wanted us to do. Do we follow them, shoot them, stop them, or do you want to be here for the job?"

I sighed. "Fine, we'll be there in a little while."

I hung up and turned to see Bella's face, which was a little sad.

"I've gotta go… Umm, can you maybe help me get the kids out to the car? I'm just gonna take them over to my parents so you can go back to your apartment for the night."

"Edward, you don't have to do all of that. I can stay here with them."

"No, B, I don't want you to have to worry about them every night that you live here…" she stopped me.

"Edward, really, it's not a problem. I told you I'd stay with them if you ever had to go to work. I don't have any other obligations right now and I have no where that I need to be. I'm fine with it. Go do whatever you have to do." She looked down as her face morphed into worry and fear. I wasn't having that.

"Hey, what's this?" I motioned to her face as I lifted her chin for me to see her. Seeing that little bit of fear in her eyes wasn't really helping the fact that I had to leave.

"…Is it always gonna be like this? Whenever you leave in the middle of the night to go to work, am I going to feel scared all the time that you're not gonna come back?"

Damn. Yeah, she was worried. I don't know how to sugar coat this for her, since there really isn't a way to.

But explaining how my parents are and Alice and Jasper, and Rose and Em, seems to relax her shoulders, slightly. She'll always be worried about me. But I'll always do whatever it takes to come back to her every night.

Thank god the girls came up to stay with her though. That will help her keep her mind off of things and help her relax.

After we say our goodbyes, and I almost lost a finger when Bella pulled me back for another kiss, we made our way to the garage and into the suburban.

"How does it feel to be back with the team, Em?" Jazz chuckled as we all buckled in.

"Fucking awesome! I can't wait to move out here and work with you guys, permanently. I mean, I like the guys I work with in Chicago, but we've always been a team, and we've always known how the other thinks. We don't have that closeness between me and the other guys. I trust them, but I trust you guys with my life."

"Aww, Em… you do have a soft spot." I faked wiping a tear from my eye before he shoved me in the shoulder. "Hey, I'd rather you were here, too. You always lighten the mood when shit gets too heavy, and you're the muscle. We need you around here, sometimes." I smiled back at him from the front seat.

"Fuck you, dude. I'm not your ox." He bickered.

"Nah, but your stubborn like one, sometimes…" Jazz muttered, and then took a hit in the arm, too. "Fuck, man, no hitting the driver."

"Bite me." Em pouted a little, and then smiled. He was so much fun to have around.

Once we got to the warehouses, we saw a few of our guys wandering around, trying to go unnoticed.

We pulled in behind one of our warehouses that weren't so visible to the passerby. It was raining a little, but it kept going in and out. You could hear thunder off in the distance, as well. Typical Seattle weather. You never knew when it was going to rain.

Once we got out, I saw Stefan and Alistair walking our way.

They were two of the guys that I trusted the most, aside from Em, Jazz, Uncle Ty, Uncle El, and Eric.

Stefan was a descent looking guy. In his early thirties, tan skin, brown hair, brown eyes, well built.

Alistair was a little older. He was in his late thirties, dark blonde hair, brown eyes, kind of beefy like Em.

I had known that I wanted them to watch out for Bella, be her bodyguards. I just didn't want her to know about it, quite yet.

"Hey, Stef, Alistair." I shook their hands as they got close enough. We were on a side of the building that was somewhat protected from the rain. "I've got a job for the two of you after we finish up here. Its high priority and I don't need idiots on this job. I'm counting on the two of you for this one."

"Uhh, what kind of job, boss?" Stefan asked as we walked along the side of the warehouse.

"Protection detail. I need you to protect someone as if it were me. Hell, you guys have been pretty much protecting me. So this shouldn't be too much of a change for you."

"The kids?" Stefan asked.

"No, the kids already have a detail. I'm guessing it's the girl you've been seen with, boss." Alistair was always on top of shit.

"Yes. Bella. She's… let's put it this way, she'll eventually be Mrs. Cullen, so I don't want any pussy-footing going on. I want one of you with her at all times and outside her apartment door at night."

"Oh shit. You weren't kidding with that, were you? Alright, I'm in. She's not a trouble maker, is she?" Stefan asked, and I guess that was logical.

"No, she's pretty straight forward. She doesn't party, she doesn't drink much, she doesn't like big crowds, and she's a home body, mostly. She'll be working at the bar once it's open. She has some issues with men, so I want you to handle this with kid gloves, for the time being. If she freaks out, call me, and I'll calm her down. Black violated her, and she's always looking over her shoulder. She'll be doing that now, regardless, but now that she knows who he is, she's a little more worried. Do you both understand?"

They both nodded, and I knew I could trust them to watch out for her when I wasn't around her.

"Thank you. Ok, let's see what Randall has." We walked into the warehouse and saw Randall at his watch point.

"Hey man. So what are they doing?" I asked him as we came to stand beside him.

"I've seen Jacob and Billy snooping around six and seven. They went into one, but they came out empty handed. They haven't touched the other one yet, but they may be waiting to see if anyone shows up. Or they could have another guy that's being stealthier looking at the other building."

God damn it. He's getting way too close.

"Get someone in the other building, and make sure nothing's being messed with. Tell them to watch for anything that shouldn't be there. Not just what should be there." I told them, and they went off to do their thing.

The rain had stopped for a little while, so maybe we wouldn't be completely soaked by the time we were out of here.

We all made sure we had our ear pieces in again, and checked that we could hear everyone, and waited.

After about five minutes, we heard a commotion in our ears.

'Shit, they're trashing it! THEY'RE TRASHING IT, BOSS!" I heard Randall yell, and then everyone started moving.

'Apollo, Blackhawk, Tank, fall back. We've got other eyes on the building. Let's get our own look at 'em." My dad said through the earpiece.

Emmett, Jasper and I fell back to join dad around the corner at the other building.

"One building back, top of the stairs. Tell me who you see." Dad said as we made it to where he was standing.

I looked first, and felt my blood boil.

Fucking Jacob Black.

I started to move, although I hadn't realized I was until Jasper put a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't do it. Not yet. We need to have the upper hand when we get him. We don't know what they're doing right now, other than trashing our warehouse. They could be watching our response to this shit. We need to think logic before we kill that fucker. I want him dead just as much as you do. He hurt my sister. He's not gonna get away with it." Jasper told me, looking me in the eye.

I could see his own anger surging in his eyes, so I knew I wasn't alone. And he knew what I was thinking. That I want to torture and make Jacob suffer in the most horrible ways imaginable.

But he's right, we'll get there. We do need to think straight and have the upper hand when we catch his ass.

I'll look forward to that day…

We heard the guys over the earpiece say that it was cleared out now and that they were doing recon on what was trashed.

It looked like they had gotten into the supplies for the club. Each of the buildings is different, and they had picked one that housed the stuff we were using to finish up building, remodeling, decorating and setting up the club. There's another warehouse that has the workings for the hotel remodel, as well.

But we do use these warehouses for 'midway stops' for guns and stuff. We'll get the guns in, store them here for a short time, and then move them to a separate location. Or the house. Ma told dad that he couldn't store all of the guns and ammo there, but she would tolerate a small amount of them.

"Well, well, looks like someone's having a rough night." I heard that damn voice, and wanted to shove my gun down his throat.

"Black." I gritted out. "Nice of you to supervise your minions."

This guy was such a tool. I couldn't stand him. His build was smaller than Emmett's, but not much bigger than me or Jasper. We'd give him a run for his money. Probably win too.

He was tan, short black hair, too tight shirt. You'd think he was gay with how tight his shirt was.

Either that or he was trying to be the hulk, and failing.

He just raised an eyebrow at me, and then changed topics. "So, heard you got yourself a little whore, now, Cullen. Didn't know you had it in you." That's fucking IT!

I went to charge the bastard but Em was in front of me, and dad had swung his arm back and made contact with Jacob's throat.

Black was a little caught off guard and had to lean over to not just fall straight to the ground.

"You ever talk about my daughter like that again, and I'll kill you with my bare hands." My father said, in an all too calm, eerie voice.

It took Jacob a few minutes to get his bearings, but then he stood back up.

"Your son's fucking your daughter? And you're ok with that?" He laughed, and I went for him again, only to be stopped by Em, again.

Dad raised his eyes heavenward, then back down to Jacob.

"Jacob, I will only say this once. Isabella is my daughter. She may not be my blood, but she is family. And will be legally and in the eyes of god, one day. This means, if you ever come near her, you should already have your grave dug up. Because that is the fastest way to end up there. She is protected. By guards, and our laws. If you are stupid enough to go against those laws, then I pray that I'm there to witness your punishment. You leave Isabella be. You've already violated her once, I'll be damned if it happens again on my watch."

"Jake, what the hell's he talking about?" Billy Black asked from behind his son.

Jacob apparently hadn't told daddy dearest what he'd done to Bella. Huh…

"Your shit-for-brains son tried to rape my girl when she was in high school. He obviously likes to take what he can't have, willingly. Is that how you get off, Jacob? By forcing women to have sex with you?" I couldn't stop my damn mouth, but he deserved it.

I saw his eye twitch a little. Maybe there's something to that…

"Fuck you, Cullen. I can have any bitch I want. I would've had your girl too, if I hadn't been interrupted. She does have a tight little pussy." I've had enough of his god damn mouth!

I shoved Em off me and tackled Jacob to the ground. I fucking punched that bastard as hard as I could while I heard I slight scuffle behind me.

I grabbed his face under his chin and made him look at me, as blood was coming down the side of his face.

"I will rip your god damn insides out of you while you watch if you ever come near her. You will die the slowest, most painful death possible."

"Son, not here." I heard my dad say from behind me.

We heard two sets of feet running our way, then I was thrown off Jacob and he ran.

"Come on, go, go!" I heard, and then saw my dad leaning against the side of the building and Jasper on the ground, and Emmett getting his bearings back.

"Fucking stragglers." I muttered.

"Forget them. Let's get this mess taken care of and go home." My dad said, and then we all walked back to the warehouse.

Once everything was done, and it was the early hours of the morning, we made our way back home.

Walking into my place, we saw that no one was in the living room.

I went to check on the kids and they weren't in their beds. That had my heart speeding up a bit.

Where were they?

When I made it to my room, I figured out where they were.

Bella was on one side of my bed with Mason and Izzy in the middle. And Rose and Alice behind them on the other side.

Fucking good thing I had a California King sized bed. No fucking way they'd all fit otherwise.

"Aww damn. There's no room for me." Emmett pouted from the doorway.

"You'd take up the whole fucking bed, you oaf. Go hit the couches. There were some blankets out there." I told them, and they made their way out.

I went and changed out of my dirty, wet clothes and put on some basketball shorts and a t-shirt, then climbed into bed behind Bella.

Good thing everyone was sleeping on their sides. Freaking tight squeeze, but I was able to wrap myself around Bella.

I breathed her in and was immediately pulled into a deep sleep.

I was woken up a while later when Bella moved a little. I just tried to burry my nose deeper into her neck so I could go back to sleep.

I get the best sleep when she's with me.

Hearing her refer to this as home, made me feel really warm inside. I really liked hearing her say it like that; like it was her home too. Which it is.

"Mmmm, Mommy" I heard Izzy's little voice murmur.

Bella and I both look down at her to see that she was sleeping, but had the most contented smile on her face.

Even in her sleep, she can feel the motherly love that Bella has for her.

And she really does want Bella to be her mother. I didn't realize just how much they meant it until now.

That had my eyes a little misty.

That's all I want for them.

When Bella looked back at me with shock and tears on her face, I can't help but smile at her. But then I see pride.

She's proud to be called their mother, even if it's in sleep.

Xxx

And now, 'The Mason and Izzy Chronicles'.

MPOV

This had to be one of the best days, ever!

Uncle Em and Aunt Rose came to visit, and daddy came back home with Bella.

And everyone being at Namie and PopPop's house together for dinner was so fun. I missed having Uncle Em and Aunt Rose around all the time. I hope they get to move here, soon.

Me and Iz really missed Bella, too. She was so much fun. She made us feel like we were more than just kids, sometimes. And she and dad were always making funny eyes at each other.

I wonder if she loves our daddy…

I hope she does. Then maybe she'll be our mom, for real one day.

She even kinda has a name like Izzy's.

We ended up having a fun night together. Bella gave us a bath, and then we danced around to music in the living room. Dad even came in and danced with us, too. He picked up Iz, and I wanted to dance with Bella, so I held my arms out to her. She just smiled at me and scooped me up and spun me around.

When she was holding me in her arms, it felt like… she was really my mom. I wanted her to be that, so badly.

Daddy hasn't really had other women around us. And I don't know if that's because of us, or if he just doesn't like any of them. I hope it's not because of us. I don't want dad to be sad anymore.

He was always sad when we lived in Chicago. He only smiled when he knew we were looking. But sometimes, I would see him frown when he was looking at Aunt Rose and uncle Em, or Uncle Jazz and Aunt Ali.

But he smiles a lot more now that we're here in Seattle. And I think Bella is the reason for it. He's always smiling when she's around.

Maybe daddy's found someone to love.

I saw them making the funny eyes again while we were dancing. It was kinda cute, but I hope Bella doesn't have cooties. Because I saw dad kiss her once.

IPOV

Daddy and Bella put us to bed tonight, and I asked daddy if we were gonna be a family.

"Iz, we are a family. You, me and Mase. You know that, baby girl."

"No, daddy. I mean us and Bella. Are you gonna get married?" I asked as he tucked me in.

"Sweetheart, we're still a long way away from getting married. But trust me, you and Mason will be the first to know when we decide to get married. Do you want us to get married?"

I nodded my head fast. "Yeah. I really love her, daddy. She's so sweet and nice to us. She plays with us and reads us bedtime stories. She makes you happy, doesn't she daddy?"

"More than you know, Monkey. She's… she's what I've been waiting for. She beautiful, she's great with you and Mason, she gets along with everyone in the family, she knows me without really knowing me. We met when we were about your age, when we were living in Forks. We became best friends and we were always together. But then we had to move back to Chicago about a year after we came here, and I haven't seen her since. But being back around her, it feels like no time has passed. We just picked up from where we left off. But we do have to learn everything about each other, again. We can't just run off and get married. That's not how it works, sweetie. But… someday. You ready to sleep?"

I nodded and got down into my covers with my stuffed monkey.

When he left, I could still hear music playing. It was a really pretty song, and I wanted to hear it better, so I got up and went to my door.

I looked down the hall and saw daddy with his arms around Bella, and they were swaying to the music.

I ran to Mason's room and shook his shoulder.

"Mase, wake up. Daddy and Bella are dancing in the living room. Come on." I whispered, but almost yelled, at him.

I guess he heard me, because he was up and out in the hallway with me.

We watched as they danced, and it was so romantic. I've never seen daddy dance with anyone.

"I love you. I love you so much, Edward. I can't lose you again." We heard Bella say, and it sounded like she was crying too.

But then daddy and Bella started kissing. Then daddy lifted her off the ground while he was still kissing her.

"Mase, maybe they're gonna be together now. Maybe Bella will move in with us. Wouldn't that be cool?" I whispered, but I couldn't hold in my excitement.

"I hope so, Iz. I want us to be a real family. I want a mom."

"Me too." I said, but started thinking.

"Iz, why do you have that face that Aunt Ali gets sometimes when she's up to something?"

"Maybe because I am." I smiled.

Don't ya just wanna take those kids and cuddle them!

So, we had our first glimpse at Jacob. Douchebag, right? I wanna punch his lights out.

We'll see where things go from here. Next week, will be Bella's party.

Alrighty, so I'm gonna go get to work on MGEMP. That one's gonna take some time, too. Hopefully I won't have another week like this week.

Laters!