Hi! I'm so sorry that I haven't updated and for those of you still interested in the story thank you! You're support means all the world. Enjoy!
Previously: "They're going to love you." Edward said as we got into the elevator. I nodded biting my lip but didn't say anything else. Edward's family here we come.
Chapter 11-Welcome
"Welcome to our family time
Welcome to our happy to be time
This is the best of all
Ya know the best of all
We're here to share it all"
Welcome by Phil Collins
BPOV
I couldn't stop my leg from bouncing in the car. Edward's voice kept ringing in my head.
They're going to love you
I hoped they did. I mean in theory they would at least like me because I loved Edward but I watched enough movies to know that wasn't exactly the truth. Plus I had never really met anyone's family before; Billy doesn't count since I grew up knowing him. Plus when I first met him it was because I was Charlie's daughter, then later as Jacob's best friend. I sighed thinking about the Jacob I use to know. Then I shook my head trying not to think about it. So I have no experience in the area of family meeting, great they're going to hate me.
No.
I was going to be positive. They were going to see how much I loved and cared for him, or they were going to see how much Edward had bought for Seth and I, and how many differences there were between us.
No!
I was going to be positive.
"Bella." Edward sighed putting his hand on my leg.
"I'm fine I'm fine." I said and he gave me a look.
"yeah you seem fine." he said motioning to my leg that wouldn't stop bouncing. I stopped bouncing my legs and I crossed my legs instead. I watched Edward's eyes gaze at my leg as my dress rode up exposing more of my thigh.
"You seem fine too." I smiled.
"Oh you are so not nice Ms Swan." he said leaning over to kiss me.
"Never said I was Mr. Cullen." I smiled and my worries were forgotten.
"Edwad and Mom you betta kiss now cause no more when we get to Chuck Cheese cause you have to play not kiss." Seth said in a "you know what I mean?" sort of way.
"whatever you say Seth-a-roo." Edward said leaning in against towards me. "You heard him, I better kiss you now." he said smirking.
Sooner than I would have liked, though getting anywhere in less than an hour was amazing, Garrett was dropping us outside of Atlantic Mall. Seth was holding both Edward and my hands and since Seth and I hadn't really ever been in Brooklyn we thought it was pretty cool.
"Are you ready?" Edward asked as we got off the escalator before Chuck E. Cheese. I just stood there. Edward bent down in front of Seth.
"What about you Seth-a-roo are you ready?" he smiled and Seth nodded.
"Meet your brother and sister, and your niece and nephew right?" Seth recalled.
"You got it!" Edward gave him a high five.
"It's going to be great." Edward said more to me than to Seth. I sighed as we walked in the front door.
As Edward walked behind me as we continued to hold hands. I could still feel him right behind me. His left hand near my left hand, his right hand grazed my hip as we walked. It's like he kept a protective stance behind me and Seth and I felt my stomach dance.
"Whoa!" Seth exclaimed looking at the scene before us, games everywhere and the indoor play area.
"I'll just stamp your hand." the woman at the front desk said to Seth. Then she did the same to Edward and I. The confusion must have been obvious on my face because then she explained.
"We check these stamps under UV lights as you go out to make sure that only you and your husband can take your son home." she explained.
"Oh he's-"
"Got it thank you." Edward said pulling me to follow Seth who started for the first game he saw.
"Sorry." I said in a way of apology.
"Why are you apologizing?" Edward raised his eyes in confusion.
"She assumed that...we ….you and I, and Seth…" I trailed off and Edward grabbed my hand and kissed my palm.
"I'm glad she assumed, it means I'm not the only one." he smiled and I raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Uncle Edward!" I heard a little voice call. Soon a small girl with flowing blonde hair had attached herself to Edward's hip.
"Hey Lil Lily." Edward said picking her up and spinning her around.
"Little brother!" a big voice boomed. I looked up to see Emmett walking towards us. I of course had seen him around the building. It was like a big giant standing was standing in front of us. I could definitely see him playing football, he had blue eyes and dark hair and his muscles though didn't make him look like a cartoon character they were bigger than most.
Seth grabbed onto my hand hiding behind me trying to slyly peek out from behind my leg.
"Emmett." Edward laughed as he kissed Lily on the cheek. Rosalie wasn't far behind him carrying what looked like their son. While their daughter was the spitting image of Rosalie their son in turn was the spitting image of Emmett but right now he seemed shy nestling his head on Rosalie's shoulder.
"Hi EJ." Edward said kissing the top of his head.
"Hi Uncle E." the boy said softly.
"Edward." Rosalie said hugging Edward with one arm as she switched EJ onto her hip.
"Rose." he smiled kissing her cheek.
"Little brother you did well." Emmett said standing in front of me.
"Emmett." Edward groaned putting Lily down.
"I'm Emmett." Emmett said holding out his hand. I shook it and he tickled the inside of my hand. "But you can call me Em, Emmy, but Em bear is saved for Rosie alone." Emmett wiggled his eyebrows. I giggled.
"Hi Emmett, I'm Bella." I laughed.
"Knock it off Em." Edward said tickling EJ. EJ smiled and then reached out for Edward to take him.
"Hey little guy." Edward smiled.
"Bella." Rosalie nodded at me.
"Hi Rosalie." I smiled trying not to let it show how intimidated by her I was but the smirk on her face showed that she wasn't fooled.
"And who is this?" Emmett bent down looking at Seth who smiled into my thigh.
"This is Seth." I tried to move Seth from behind my leg.
"Hi Seth I'm your Uncle Emmett." Emmett grinned as Seth giggled. My mouth popped open a little and my eyes snapped to Edward's but he was engrossed in a conversation with Rosalie rocking EJ from side to side.
"Hi." Seth replied.
"Lily, come meet your new cousin Seth." Emmett called still bent down in front of Seth. Lily raced next to Emmett.
"Hi Seth. I'm Lily, wanna go play?" Lily said as she held out her hand. Seth looked up at me and I smiled.
"Okay." Seth said giving her his hand. Then they were off running and laughing.
"Alice and Jasper are standing by the table and she's a little bit hyper waiting to meet Bella." Rosalie said as Edward was bouncing around EJ.
"I wanna go with Lil." EJ said smiling.
"Okay but be careful okay?" Rosalie said pinching his nose before Edward put him down.
"K momma." EJ said before running after Seth and Lily.
"They're adorable." I said quietly.
"They take after me." Emmett said wrapping his arms around Rosalie and then nuzzling his face in her neck kissing her.
"Right Rosie, babe?"
"Em!" Rosalie giggled with almost a girlish laugh. I smiled at them they looked like an ad in a sports magazine.
"Alright there are children around here." Edward said grabbing my hand.
Emmett moved to Rosalie's side.
"Come meet the rest of the gang." Emmett said walking with Rosalie over to a table.
There was a beautiful petite girl with spiky black hair and she seemed like she was vibrating in her seat. The way that she got up from her seat and ran into Edward's arms I automatically knew it was Alice. The way he hugged her was protective and warm in a way like only a brother could.
The man that was next to her was a tall, lean, with curly blonde hair who I knew was Jasper. I of course had seen Jasper but in the casual way he dressed and the sparkle in his eye as he looked at the woman next to him was something to behold.
"I missed you Thing two" Edward said squeezing her.
"Missed you more Thing one." Alice said kissing his cheek.
"They saw each other like two days ago." Emmett whispered in my ear chuckling. I smiled. There was an obvious love between this family. I don't think I've ever wanted to be more a part of something than this family right here.
Alice squealed clapping her hands together as she turned to me.
"You must be Bella! I'm so excited to meet you!" Alice said hugging me. I didn't know what to do since she pinned my arms by my side hugging me.
"Al calm down darling." Jasper said walking over to Edward as they hugged. "Hey E."
"Hey Jazz. How are you?"
"Good how about you?"
"Good, it's been a little difficult keeping this one from running you down the moment you guys walked in." Jasper gestured to Alice.
"Stop it." Alice gave him a look but it had a look of adoration in it.
"Where's your boy, Seth?" Alice said looking around.
"He's off and running around here." I said looking around.
"Oh well I'll meet him soon enough. I love your dress by the way." she smile in a way that as dazzling as her brother before she pulled me down to sit next to her at the booth.
"You're dress...is ...wow." was all I could manage. Alice's had on a black dress that flowed down to her knee with a silver design on the side that sparkled and went up her waist, she paired it with a pair of ballet flats that tied with ribbons at her ankle.
"Thank you, it's from my new line." she curtsied and winked. "We must go shopping."
"Edward likes the girl Al, no need to kill her." Rosalie said sitting across from us. "Boys we're thirsty and hungry and soon the kids will be wanting tokens and food. Chop chop." she clapped her hands.
"Yes ma'am." Emmett saluted her before laughing and Jasper walked with him. Edward stared at us.
"Edward...your girl is fine." Rosalie said shooing him away. Alice just giggled in response. Edward looked at me and I gave him a reassuring smile. Edward gave me a soft smile before turning and following Emmett and Jasper.
I turned to look at Alice who was beaming and Rosalie who was shaking her head.
"So Bella tell me about the woman has captured my brother's heart." she smiled bumping my shoulders.
Rosalie picked a nail file up and started filing her nails but looked at Alice and I.
"Um I'm from Washington, I have a four year old son Seth-"
"Oh he's simply adorable isn't he Rose?" Alice smile at Rosalie.
Rosalie actually smiled and nodded which surprised me.
"Seth is adorable."
"When did you see him?" I asked Alice.
"Let's just say it's a twin thing. I knew Edward was seeing someone and eventually he let the beans spill that he was dating you and told me about Seth so he sent me a picture." she took out her phone and showed me a picture of Seth and I at the park looking at the animals.
"Wow, I didn't even know he took that." I said blushing.
"Oh Rose she's blushing." Alice giggled.
"A novelty in this town I'm sure." Rosalie nodded looking back at her immaculate nails.
Alice and Rosalie looked at each other and then laughed and I could see the close friendship between them. Their eyes and smiles inviting me to want to know the joke.
"I hate my blush." I admitted because I realized if I wanted to be a part of this group of friends, this family then I was going to be as honest as they seemed to be.
"It's good, it's not trashy...it's um...honest and innocent." Alice smiled softly. "You're not a gold digging whore because I've seen those girls throw themselves at my brother and have less modesty than a porn star."
Rosalie snorted.
"Bitches need to step back, thinking any of their two bit little…" she trailed off mumbling. I raised my eyebrows as her cheery demeanor shifted. "Bella I'm not dumb, my brother is the most eligible bachelor in New York, and maybe even the U.S and if someone were to hurt him" she narrowed her eyes at me for a second "well they really wish they wouldn't." she shrugged smiling at me.
"and they call me the over protective one." Rosalie laughed. Alice shrugged laughing.
"But I like you already Bella." Alice smiled.
"I like you too Alice." and I meant that genuinely it was hard to resist the Cullen charm.
"And my brother has better been behaving himself." Alice said narrowing her eyes.
"Edward has been...wonderful." I said softly. "I...I care about him a lot." I thought of our dates, at the restaurants, at the pier, touring the city, taking Seth to the Zoo, taking Seth to the statue of Liberty.
They were amazing but more importantly he was amazing, kind, and wonderful. I used these words but I knew they weren't enough to describe how I felt about him.
I smiled to myself thinking over yesterday and this morning and how much we felt like a family. I looked up to see Rose staring at me with a smirk on her lips and Alice was bouncing up and down.
"What?" I said looking down my face heating up.
"You love him." Alice said smiling squeezing my hand.
"I...I…" I stuttered. I didn't want the first time I told anyone I loved Edward to be to his sister but I still felt that she had a right to know how much I cared about her brother.
"Alice leave her alone." Rosalie said giving her a pointed look. Alice nodded and then beamed at me.
"I'm going to go find the boys I'm hungry." Alice said winking at me before she left with more grace than I'll probably ever posses.
"Thank you Rosalie." I said quietly.
"The first time you say it you should say it to Edward instead of his overprotective and nosy sister, and sister-in-law." Rosalie said shrugging.
"I do you know." I said almost at a whisper.
"That's obvious to anyone who has eyes." Rosalie snorted. I smiled. "And I'm really happy for you guys even if I didn't seem like it I'm just...protective of them" she nodded towards Edward, Emmett, Jasper, and Alice who were walking back over with what looked like two pizza pies, a salad, and tray of drinks.
"I understand." I nodded as I stood up to help Alice with the drinks. "I feel the same way about him."
"That's what I like about you. It doesn't take me long to figure out people Bella and it didn't take me long to figure out you." she smirked. I nodded.
"And Bella?" Rosalie said looking at me as the rest of the gang got over to our table. "Call me Rose." she smiled and I smiled back at her.
"Okay...Rose." I said after a moment and she winked.
"Okay?" Edward said wrapping his arm around me.
"Better than okay." I smiled at him. I saw him smile at Rose over my head and she winked back at him.
"Better go get the kids." Rose said starting to walk towards the gaming area.
"I'll get them!" Emmett said running off acting like a kid.
"Wow." I said.
"Yeah he's a big child." Edward said pulling me down so I was almost on his lap. "What did you guys talk about?"
"Edward don't you worry about it" Alice said with her hands on her hips.
"Momma!" Seth said running with Lily behind him. Emmett was carrying EJ on his back.
"Hi bud" I said getting him up and picking him up. I turned him towards Alice.
"Hi Seth, I'm your Aunt Alice, and that is your Uncle Jasper." she almost cooed at him.
"Hi." Seth said smiling into my shoulder as always.
"Aww he's even more adorable in person." Alice clapper her hands.
"Edwad. Edwad." Seth reached over my shoulder and I turned to find Edward standing behind me. I handed Seth to Edward.
"I don't think you've been introduced." Rose said moving Lily over to me. "Lily. EJ, this is Bella but you can just call her Aunt Bella."
"Yeah probably won't be long now until its official." Emmett laughed bouncing EJ. "Right EJ?"
EJ just nodded probably not evening understanding what his father was saying. Rose snorted and Alice smiled holding Jasper's hand. I looked to Edward expecting him to look in shock but a small smile was playing on his lips. Seth was too distracted playing with Edward's jacket.
"Let's eat!" Emmett boomed sitting EJ down across from Lily who was playing with Rosalie's hair. Alice and Jasper were cuddling in the corner on the opposite side of the booth. Then Edward sat down with Seth on his lap and gestured for me to sit next to him.
"I got you a Coke." Edward said handing me a cup.
"My favorite." I smiled at him and Edward eyes gleamed.
"Anything for you." Edward said seriously. "even if it's just to see you smile." Edward said leaning towards me and brushing his lips over mine. I bit my lip in response to hide my even bigger response.
Everyone sat around the table exchanging stories after stories. The kids ended up in a booth next to each other laughing and coloring together.
"...so then Emmett runs across the yard naked and Mom is standing in the front door with on the phone with the security company saying 'no it's not a robber that naked boy on camera is just my son'." Alice laughs
"Next thing Dad comes out and looks at the scene before him and just nods. and then says 'Nice job son'" Edward laughs and Emmett rolls his eyes.
"I just wanted some Rosie lovin." Emmett starts rubbing his hand on Rose's.
"You crashed my slumber party." Alice mock glared at Emmett.
"You crashed my Rosie lovin time." Emmett said turning his head up in the air.
"That's 24/7 Em." Edward shook his head. "It's amazing you two ever get any work done" and he shivers.
"Well there are some places in his office you probably shouldn't sit." Rose winks at Emmett as I laugh and Jasper and Edward groan.
"Ewe that's my brother." Alice complains but laughs along with me.
"How old were you?" I asked.
"I don't remember, maybe 19?" Rose said.
"Yes that time will be forever ingrained my brain." Edward shook his head.
"That's the moment that's ingrained in your brain?" Alice asked with a smirk.
"Don't you remember Becky? Who was at Alice's sleepover and decided that Edward's virginity was hers by right?" Rose barked out a very un-lady like laugh and yet she seemed as put together as ever.
"Don't remind me." Edward shook his head.
"We don't speak of her or any of the others." Alice said shaking her head with disgust.
"Al, and Rose had a hard time making friends." Jasper explained to me rubbing his hands up and down Alice's arm.
"Most girls just wanted either to be friends with our money, or to bed my brothers and since one was taken by high school that—"Alice shrugged
"He was taken the moment he met me." Rose gave Alice a look.
"That is right my Rosie had me hooked in kindergarten when she tossed her hair over her shoulder and told me to go get her the blue crayon box instead of the pink because girls can like blue too" Emmett laughed but his eyes held so much love for her that I had to look away from their seemingly private moment.
"Game time?" Seth and Lilly called to us from their booth. We all smirked as we started to get up and get tokens. Edward of course bought Seth more than he could use in a day but maybe more than a week if all he did was play games.
Edward just shrugged it off and said it made no difference if Seth used the tokens now or a different day but that the smile on Seth's face when he got a whole bag of tokens.
"Where to first?" Edward asked.
"Where is Lily?" Seth asked looking around.
"I think they are over at skeeball." Edward replied looking over there and I looked over to the game I assumed was skeeball and found Emmett waving over at us. We walked over to where the rest of the family was gathered Jasper and Emmett seemed already caught up in a bet to see who could score the most points. Alice was helping EJ and Rose was helping Lily at the game.
"Seth!" Lily waved when she saw us.
"Hi Lily." Seth smiled.
"Wanna play with me? We can split the tickets?" Lily smiled.
Seth looked at me and I smiled because I've never seen him take to someone as quickly as Lily. Seth then ran over to Lily.
"You doing okay?" Edward whispered in my ear.
"I'm perfect." I sighed leaning into him.
"Momma Edwad we won!" Seth said jumping up and down with Lily.
"Look Aunt Bella! We won so many tickets." Lily laughed looking at the tickets come out. I gasped at how freely the name came out her lips. Edwards grip tightened on my waist and he kissed my cheek.
I caught Alice's gaze and she winked at me and I smiled.
"Fancy a game." Edward said pulling me to an open lane.
"Think you can beat me?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Oh I'm up for a challenge. Why don't we make this more interesting." Edward said walking around me as if I was his prey and I bit my lip and I watched his eyes darken. My insides tighten with anticipation.
"How so?" I breathed.
"Just a little bet." Edward shrugged smirking at me in a way that I should have brought a change of panties because I probably was drenched.
"What do I get if I win?" I said licking my lips and I his eyes watched my lips.
"Well I would always say I could buy you anything you wanted but I guess that's more of a present for me. " Edward chuckled putting his hands on my shoulder guiding me before the game.
"So what do you want...Isabella." he breathed annunciating my name which made me squeeze my thighs together in a way that I tried to hide but by Edward's chuckle I could tell I wasn't successful.
"I want you and me in the shower tonight." I said quickly thinking of the first thing that popped into my head. I heard Edward take a sharp breath in. Edward cleared his throat and I smirked pleased that I had an effect on him.
"And if you win?" I asked.
"Oh I'm still thinking about it." Edward chuckled going over to the skeeball lane next to mine.
"Ready?" I asked taking a token out of his pocket and then we entered the token at the same time and started rolling the balls up the lane at the same time.
"Ha!" I yelled as I got one close to the center which held the most points. Edward groaned as one of the balls he rolled one in the lowest circle. I rolled my last ball and squealed at my score.
"Oh Edward you're not trying to lose are you?" I fake pouted and then smiled when he looked over with pursed lips.
"Oh baby, with what I have planned. I want to win." he then smirked and then he rolled his last ball which sent his score 50 points over mine.
"And what did you win?" I asked as he stood right in front of me putting his hands on both sides of my face.
"You...for the night to do whatever I wish." he said searching my eyes and I knew all he would find would be anticipated.
"Is that okay?" he said his concern showing and I smiled because of course he would check in with me.
"I'm game if you are." I said kissing him and he smiled.
"I'm so game." he smiled kissing me a little harder this time.
"Hey there are kids here." I heard Emmett hollar. Edward and I pulled back and I felt myself blush.
We spent another hour or so playing games and another half hour waiting in line for Seth to cash in his tickets and pick out a prize. Seth and Lily spent most of the time chatting about what they were going to get and in the end Seth got some kind of bouncy ball that was squishy and fun dip.
"So we'll see you guys at Mom and Dad's ball Monday?" Emmett asked Edward as we got out of the mall.
"Yup." Edward replied as the hugged.
"Oh Seth." I said suddenly thinking about where he was going to go. I didn't want to keep asking Angela to watch him.
"Don't worry about Seth, he can come over with Lily and EJ. They stay with Kate, who you've met right?" Rose asked standing next to me passing EJ over to Edward.
"Kate?" I asked surprised.
"Yeah she's a very handy woman." Alice commented. "She use to work for our parents and watch us for time to time before she went to work for Edward but she still watches the Cullen kids from time to time."
"Well I don't want-" Rosalie cut me off with a look.
"You and Seth are one of us now so get used to it." Rosalie said pursing her lips and Alice hooked her arms in hers and nodded. I looked around at Jasper who smiled softly at me with a very calm demeanor and Emmett who had Seth and Lily on both sides and gave me a thumbs up. Then I looked at Edward who was still holding EJ who had a soft smile on his face.
"Thank you Rose." was all I could say.
"Come on EJ. Time to go." Rose said trying to take EJ.
"But I want to stay with Uncle E and Aunt B." EJ said reaching for Edward and I felt my heart melt.
"You'll see them soon." Rose said. "he's too cute for his own good." Rose said over his head. I nodded patting his back and brushing my nose on his cheek which made him giggle. The children all said goodbye to each other in a huge chorus that made me laugh.
Alice hugged Seth tightly and swung him around. Seth laughed and giggled and then was passed around from Alice, to Jasper, and then to Emmett who tickled him and then Rose kissed him on his cheek.
"Bye guys." Edward chuckled picking up Seth and placing him on his hip as they waved at the rest of them.
"So we're getting ready at 6 at our place, the event starts at 8 right?" Alice looked at Edward and he nodded. I looked at the cars passing.
"Bella that's okay for you right?" Alice pulled me from me staring into space.
"Hmm?" I asked.
"I can pick you up from the office if that makes it easier." Alice said like I still knew what she was talking about.
"What?" I asked. "Sorry I'm confused." I said shaking my head.
"Getting ready?" Alice said slowly.
"Oh me?" I clarified.
"Yes you silly that's what best friends do." she smiled shaking her head.
"Best friend?" I cocked my head to the side.
I don't really remember having a best friend. When I thought of the word, I thought of someone you always called when you were upset, or happy. Someone who always called you in return. Someone who was always there for a shoulder to cry on, or someone to jump for joy with. I've never really had someone like that. Angela was the closest one I could think of but it felt more like when she did things for me it was more out of obligation, like she felt it was something she had to do, then something she wanted to do.
If I thought back Jacob used to be my best friend before we started dating and even when we were dating he knew me. Jacob was always there when I complained about my mom ignoring me, or feeling like Charlie and I didn't connect but in the end he wanted something from me too. Jacob ended up wanting love and though I loved him I wished I could love him in the way I wanted. I looked at Edward knowing that I didn't love Jacob then because this feeling was completely different and I reveled in it.
"Well sisters is more like it but give me time to plan the wedding." Alice grinned when my eyes widened. "You're part of the family now Bella." Alice walked to me and squeezed my hand.
"I'll pick you up after work okay? Jasper can drive Seth to meet Lily and EJ." Alice said looking at me carefully. I nodded feeling a little overwhelmed but it was a good overwhelmed it felt surrounded by...family.
"Great don't pick out a dress I have the perfect dress for you." she clapped before hugging me tightly.
"Bye Bells!" Jasper and Emmett chorused together before hugging me. Rose waved gracefully before we parted ways.
I saw Seth's eyes start dropping as Garrett pulled the car around.
"They're amazing Edward." I said nodding towards Jasper who was avoiding Emmett knocking into him while Rosalie and Lily walked with the kids laughing.
"Yeah...amazing." Seth tried to be enthusiastic but was falling fast asleep.
"They are great, not as great as you guys though." Edward said brushing his nose on Seth's. "So who's ready for movies?" Edward beamed looking at Seth and then we laughed noticing that he was fast asleep.
So what did you think?
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I promise to update next week. Happy Holidays!
V