Chapter Ten

Bella

When I woke up I couldn't remember what had happened at first but when I opened my eyes I was surrounded by people. Jasper sat by the side of the bed holding my hand in one of his and cradling our daughter in his other arm, Rose, Emmett and Charlotte sat the other side and Lisa was at the foot smiling at me, Garrett with his arms around her. It took a few seconds to realize there was a second baby, this one snuggled in Rose's arms and then it all came flooding back and I tried to sit up but I was so weak! Jasper handed our daughter to Lisa and helped me sit up, putting pillows behind my back to stop me slumping too much.

"Twins?"

My voice was little more than a whisper and I felt so thirsty,

"Could I have a drink?"

He held out a tumbler of cold water which I sipped carefully not wanting to choke because I was already sore enough.

"Can I see?"

Rose came forward and placed the tiny baby in my arms,

"Say hello to your son Bella."

"A boy?"

She nodded and stepped back as I looked down on him noticing his skin was very pale and cool to the touch, I was sure my daughter had felt warm and had a slight flush of pink. Were they so different?

Jasper put his arm around me and kissed my cheek stroking his sons face at the same time and the baby's eyes opened, to my astonishment they were red, he was a vampire! As I thought this he looked up at me and gurgled and I touched his hand with my finger. So quick it was almost invisible to the human eye he pulled my finger to his mouth and bit me. It stung and I pulled away with a little cry making him cry too. Jasper took him from me and held him up to look into his face,

"No, that's mummy. You don't bite."

I wasn't sure such a young baby could understand the words let alone their meaning but he stopped crying and instead wriggled so Jasper gave him back to me and his little hand found my bitten finger, a single drop of blood where his teeth had torn the skin. To my complete amazement he touched it with his lips and I felt a jolt of remorse, he was apologising and at the same time his venom sealed the bite leaving only a tiny scar, I looked at Jasper,

"He has your gift, I felt it."

"Yes, he's very much like me Bella but he has to learn that biting humans is wrong."

"Is he venomous?"

"It looks like it but he's so young that I doubt it would have much effect yet."

"Well if it does I'll be the first to know."

I kissed the top of his downy head then allowed Jazz to take him from me so I could see my daughter. I remembered her but now she was clean and dressed in a simple pale pink rompers. She was even more beautiful and as she looked up at me she smiled and tried to grasp my hair which was just out of her reach.

Jasper

Now we had two children delivered safely they needed names so I asked Bella what she thought,

"I daren't even think about the possibility before they were born and now I have no idea. Do you?"

"Well I thought perhaps you'd like to name our little girl here after your mother,"

"Are you mad? Definitely not, I'd hate to think she grew up like my mother, no. What about your mother Jazz? You never speak about your human family wouldn't you like to use their names perhaps?"

"My father was Willard and my mother Patience and I don't think either if those names are fashionable these days. I did have a sister though who died very young, her name was Lily."

"Lily? I like that Lily Rose Charlotte Whitlock. It has a ring to it, what do you think?"

My sister and friend were stunned but it was the sort of gesture I'd come to expect from Bella and they both smiled broadly,

"I'd love it Bella if you're sure."

"I'm sure. Now all we need is a name for our son, and before you ask no, I don't want to name him after Charlie."

I grinned,

"OK then do you have another suggestion?"

She closed her eyes thinking hard then nodded,

"Yes I think Caden because Cade brought us together and I am so grateful for that, Caden Whitlock. What do you think daddy?"

"I think Caden will do well enough and you're right we owe him a lot. Now you say goodnight to the little ones and Rose and Char will take them down for a feed then put Lily Rose to bed."

"What about Caden?"

"He doesn't seem to need much sleep, he prefers being cuddled and talked to."

Bella

I kissed both my precious little angels goodnight then Jasper helped me to lay down,

"I'll stay with you until you're asleep Bella. You need your rest. Once you feel strong enough you'll have to wrestle the children from the girls who are having a great time right now."

"What about you Jazz? Do you get time to spend with them?"

"Yes Bella, its my arms Caden likes to be cradled in, he doesn't seem so sure of the girls unless its dinnertime."

"I saw his eyes, he lives on blood I take it?"

"Yes but they are giving him animal blood which Garrett is busy supplying so his eyes will soon change colour."

"What about Lisa?"

"She knows, I had to tell her when she saw his eyes but she knew already she just hadn't said it out loud. I wont let her pick Caden up yet though, we don't need him biting anyone. Now sleep."

"Have you heard from Peter?"

"Yes he sends his congratulations but he wont let it go so Charlotte's going to join him as soon as you are up and about. Peter can be very single-minded when he wants."

"What about the new ruling council?"

"When you wake up I'll tell you more but for now..."

I felt suddenly overwhelmed by sleep and as I closed my eyes with the effect of his gift I managed to say his name once very quietly.

Jasper

I waited as promised until I knew my Bella was deeply asleep then went downstairs to the children, my children, how had I been so blessed? Lisa and Garrett sat playing with Lily Rose who was trying to grab his long hair. The sight made me pause, Bella had given us all a gift, the chance to experience parenthood if only by proxy. I had never expected to see Garrett smiling at a baby let alone playing with one but he was as mesmerized by Lily Rose as the rest of us. She projected a calmness that affected all of us while her brother was more active and demanding, he liked to be the centre of attention. Charlotte and Rose were giving him a bath, water everywhere, but they were both laughing at his antics, splashing water everywhere by kicking his legs. When the phone rang I answered as the others were obviously too interested in their own activities.

"Hello"

"Major, its Darius. I think you should join us for the first meeting of the new governing body."

"Why?"

"Well it was your idea to do this and I want your backing if Carlisle starts anything. I know he's a good man but he lets his son get away with far too much and if Edward turns up..."

"Have you heard anything suggesting he might?"

"No, but that doesn't mean he wont. Do you think Cade could tell us if he had any plans to leave the rain forest now the Volturi are dead?"

"I'll ask him and if I can make it for the meeting I will but Bella and the children come first Darius."

"Oh yeah, congratulations. So I guess you wont be changing Bella any time soon. She can't be a newborn and a mum can she?"

"If it was just Caden it wouldn't matter, he's more vampire than human but Lily Rose is much more human."

"So they're really different?"

"Opposites, they look different and they act very different but they are both wonderful."