Chapter Eleven: Family Fun Time
Ages-
James Morgan: 7
Bella Cullen: 5
Edward Hale: 5
Emmett Cullen: 4
Jasper Hale: 4
Alice Cullen: 3
Rosalie Hale: 2
Christina:
Alice's high-pitched giggles filled the air as James gave her a piggyback ride. He excitedly ran back and forth through the sprinklers, wetting both of them. Timothy was spraying Edward, Bella, Emmett and Jasper with the water hose.
I jogged in the direction of my toddler, "Rosalie, stay away from the street!" She looked back at me, before looking forward at the large cars passing by, "You're just a daredevil!" I scooped the little girl in my arms.
Dressed in her bathing entire, she looked up at my eyes, "Look at the cars!" She pointed over my shoulder as they continued to pass.
"Yes, I see them, but they're dangerous bunny." I pecked her cheek, as we headed back over towards the other kids.
I agreed to watch after Bella, Emmett and Alice while their parents enjoy an anniversary luncheon at a new bistro that opened up a few days ago.
"Again…Again!" Alice cheered, holding tightly onto James.
James smiled and raced through the sprinklers. The water sprayed against their bathing suits and faces. Bella ditched the water hose and joined James and Alice in the sprinklers.
"I'm going to set you down," I whispered into my two year Old's ear, "and I want you to not get into any trouble."
Rosalie squirmed in my arms, "Mommy, I want to get down!"
I set her onto her two feet and watched as she raced over to her father. Timothy turned the hose on her and soaked her from head to toe.
"James, I want to get sprayed by the hose!" Alice exclaimed, pointing towards Tim.
James adjusted Alice on his back, "Okay, hold on!" He raced over to Timothy and the two of them got hosed down.
"What are you doing Bella?" I walked towards her and the sprinkler, "Are you not having fun?"
"I am," she flopped down onto the wet grass, "but I miss mommy."
I pulled her up to her feet, "She'll be back soon."
"You promise?" Her innocent brown eyes met mine.
"I promi-"
My declaration was cut off by a hard spray of water beating against my back. I wasn't dressed in swimsuit attire. I was wearing a pair of shorts, and a black tank top. I had no intention of getting wet.
I slowly turned around, and was met with the silly laugh of my four year old. He dropped the hose in his hand, and giggled loudly.
"Munchkin,-"
Jasper pointed towards his father, "Daddy said I could."
I turned on my heels and faced Timothy. His hands were in the air, and he was proclaiming innocence.
"Emmett, pass me the hose."
"No Emmett!" Timothy laughed, confusing the four year old, "Pass it to me."
I raced across the lawn, and grabbed the hose before Timothy had the chance to. I gripped the handle and chased after my husband. I managed to soak him completely. There was not an article of clothing or piece of skin left dry.
"I bet you won't do it again." I smirked, dropping the hose by my feet.
Timothy sighed in defeat, and crossed the lawn. He wrapped his wet arms around me, and pulled me close.
"Ew, you're all wet!" I laughed, squirming in his embrace.
He laid a wet kiss against my cheek, "That's the point!"
As I rested in my husband's arms, I felt my feet begin to sink into the grass. The water was making the ground all sticky and muddy. If it wasn't for how much fun we were having, I would have been disgusted.
"Mommy," I felt Edward tug at the hem of my shorts.
I glanced down to face him, "What's up kiddo?"
"Bunny." He pointed towards his sister.
I couldn't say I was surprised to see my two year old sitting at the edge of the front lawn. She was fascinated with cars. It was something about them that mesmerized her.
"Timothy, we really need to invest in a front gate!" I hollered, racing towards her, "Bunny," she slowly turned her dripping wet face around to glance at me, "What did mommy say about cars?"
"Bunny wasn't going to touch," Rose whined, as I picked her up, "I was just going to watch. They go so fast mommy!"
Timothy soon approached, and pulled our two year old out of my arms, "You had enough fun for today." He leaned forward and pecked my lips, "I'll take our little daredevil into the house, and give her a bath."
I watched my husband and daughter head back towards the house, before facing the other kids. Alice was no longer on James' back. Now she was rolling around in the wet grass. James disappeared into the house right after Timothy and Rose. Edward, Bella, Emmett, Jasper, Alice and I were the only ones left outside. And from the looks of Alice, she had no intention of going back inside any time soon.
"Ten more minutes, and then we're going inside!" I announced, jogging towards the front porch stairs.
Bella walked over, and took a seat next to me, "I'm thirsty."
"There's Capri Suns in the house." As soon as I finished the sentence, she hopped up and raced inside, "Make sure you dry your feet!"
I looked forward to see Emmett and Jasper rolling around in the mud, "You two are going to have to wash off before coming into my house!" Alice stood smugly, since she and Edward were the only two clean ones, "I'm still clean Christina. Look!"
"Yes, you are!" I clapped proudly, "Run through the water a few more times, and then we're going in the house. It's getting a little chilly out."
Alice nodded and did just as I requested. Edward didn't. He was done for the day. He approached me and gave me his biggest smile, "Do I have to take a bath?"
"Yes you do."
"But, I'm not dirty!"
I grabbed his hand, and gently pulled him closer, "It doesn't have to be a long one. Just take a five minute one, and wash in the important places."
Edward nodded, "Fine."
"Thanks, kiddo." I pecked his cheek, before releasing his hand.
Once the door closed behind Edward, I knew it was time to wrap it up. I rose from my seat, and walked to the side of the house, "Water is going off!" Alice, Jasper and Emmett came to complete stops. Jasper and Emmett pouted at the loss of the watery contact.
"You sir," I pointed at Jasper, "bath. Now."
I grabbed Alice and Emmett's hands as Jasper ran into the house. I walked them up the porch stairs, and pulled them to a stop.
"Bella!" I called into the house.
She approached the door, while finishing up the remainder of her Capri Sun, "Ask Timothy to bring me two towels." Bella nodded her head, and took off running.
I pulled the two youngsters to my side, "Are you two hungry?" I could feel their heads shake against my side, "Well, I am. I would have sworn that you kids worked up an appetite. I guess not."
Timothy appeared at the door, holding out two towels. He wrapped Emmett in one, as I wrapped Alice. I scooped the three year old into my arms, "Lets warm you up." I carried the young girl into the warm house, and brought her into the living room.
Bella was sitting with a freshly bathed and dressed Edward. James was sitting on the floor, tickling his sister, and Jasper was running around the house in his underwear.
"Jasper please put on some clothes!" I laughed, setting Alice down beside her sister.
Jasper abruptly stopped in his tracks, "Clothes are boring!" He crossed his arms and pouted, "Dad, do I have to put on clothes?"
"Yes," I answered, before Timothy had the chance, "go upstairs, and put on some clothes."
Jasper quietly obliged and did what I asked. He disappeared upstairs to grab his pajamas.
"Alright," I rubbed my hands together, excitedly, "What do you kids want to do next?"
Esme:
"I am stuffed." I leaned back in my seat, "I've never been this full until now." I placed my left hand over my lower belly. The shape reminded me of the first few weeks of pregnancy. The roundness of my full belly stiffens with hardness, and it wasn't due to pregnancy.
I began poking and prodding the solidity, "I'm getting fat." I squeezed my shirt and the loose skin beneath it, "Technically, I never lost the extra weight from Bella, Emmett and Alice." I looked up to meet my husband's silent eyes, "You aren't saying anything."
Carlisle chuckled, "I don't want to say anything that will get me into trouble."
"You won't," I leaned forward, and took a hold of his hand, "you can be honest with me. Does it look like I gained weight? Who looks bigger, me or Christina?"
"Esme, you did have three children." Carlisle added, pecking the knuckles of my hand, "It's understandable if you don't just drop the weight."
I snatched my hand away, "Hey! Christina had four kids, and I still look bigger!"
"She's a cop! She works off the weight by chasing criminals, and-"
"You should stop talking…"
Carlisle sat back, and bit his lip, "I'm sorry. I can really mess up a mood."
"No. I asked for your opinion, I should respect that."
"You're amazing." Carlisle rose from his seat, and leaned forward to peck my lips.
"That's one opinion we can agree on."
The waiter dropped our bill off before walking towards his next table. I've been thinking of something for a while now, and today, our anniversary, is the perfect day to bring it up.
"I have something else on my mind," I whispered, watching as Carlisle pulled out his credit card, "It's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."
He set his credit card on top of the bill, "Woman, you're making me nervous." Carlisle half smiled.
I intertwined both hands over my stomach, "I want to have another baby." From the look that flashed across my husband's face, I knew he wasn't in agreement.
"Es, we have three beautiful kids." He reminded, handing over the bill and his credit card to the waiter, "We don't really need anymore."
"They're growing up so fast!"
Carlisle's hands flew to the air, "Alice is only three!"
A large part of me told me that he wouldn't give in. I basically had to pull teeth in order to get him to even consider having a third child.
"Wouldn't a baby be a nice anniversary present?" I sat up straight in my seat, "Just think sweetheart, we can tell him or her that they were conceived on our anniversary."
"A nice anniversary present is the Tiffany's bracelet clasped around your wrist."
I glanced down at the jeweled bracelet. It was extremely beautiful. Anything and everything from Tiffany's is gorgeous. And my husband knew my taste. I brushed my fingers over the diamonds that wrapped around my wrist, "You're right." I nodded, and rose from my seat.
Carlisle grabbed my jacket, and held it open enough for me to slide my arms inside. After my arms slid inside, he turned me around to face him, "I love you so much Esme. And I absolutely love those three kids we have waiting for us. We don't need any more children to prove that to each other."
"You're right," I nodded along, "you're absolutely right."
Even though I knew everything my husband was saying was true, I still couldn't hide the disappointment in my face. I guess I have to face it. The next children I have will be grandchildren.
After Carlisle received his credit card back, we headed out to the car. In the chilled afternoon, I grabbed onto my husband's hand. Besides the baby rejection, this was a splendid anniversary. Carlisle woke me up with breakfast in bed, I surprised him with a new medical bag, and he shocked me with this new…and expensive bracelet.
He opened the car door for me, "I hope you aren't upset. I didn't want to ruin our anniversary."
"No," I immediately shook my head, "of course not! This was an amazing anniversary. I can't wait for next year!" He leaned into the car and pecked my lips, "I love you Carlisle."
Carlisle closed my car door, and raced to the driver's side. Once he hopped inside, and got comfortable, I grabbed his hand.
"What's the plan for the rest of the night?" He lifted my hand and placed small kisses around it.
I used the silence to think to myself, "Well, we're going to grab the kids, and then put them down for a nap. I want to spend more alone time with you."
"Oh good," he genuinely smiled, "I was hoping this day didn't have to end so soon."
The remainder of the ride was in silence. I personally enjoyed it, especially since it didn't come too often. At home, with a three, four and five year old on the loose, silence was nonexistent. I had to take it, embrace it and enjoy it whenever it came.
"We're here!" Carlisle announced, pulling into the Hales' driveway.
I glanced out of the window sadly, "Already."
I hopped out of my husband's car, and waited for him to walk around. He wrapped his arm around my lower waist, and smiled, "We definitely need to go out more. It shouldn't take an anniversary for us to have fun."
"Dear husband, you are completely right. We need to have date nights…maybe double date nights with Christina and Timothy. That is if he's not too busy with his other family."
I felt Carlisle pull me to a stop, "We agreed."
"I'm a work in progress. I'm not perfect, but I'm working on it. Give me a break." I pecked his cheek, before sliding out of his embrace.
I led the way towards the Hales' front door. I felt a non-presence behind me, and turned to see my husband standing right where I left him.
"Are you coming?" I extended my hand towards him, "I promise I won't say anything. Come on."
Carlisle smiled and jogged towards me. He grabbed my hand, and used his free hand to knock aimlessly on the front door. The door quickly opened, revealing James with chocolate icing all over his mouth.
"James!" Christina rounded the corner in a hurry, "What did I say about opening the door without an adult present?"
Christina rested her hand on his shoulder, "Are you going to let them in? Or are you going to have them stand outside and wait?" James smiled up at us before stepping to the side.
I gave Christina a gentle hug before walking completely inside. I waited for Carlisle to give her a hug before following James into the dining room. He and the other kids were sitting around the dining room table decorating cupcakes.
"Mommy!" Bella jumped out of her seat, "We made cupcakes! I made mine for you and daddy to share!"
I leaned over her shoulder and glanced at the decorated cupcake. She grabbed it and held it up to my mouth, "Happy versary!"
"Anniversary?" Carlisle corrected, leaning forward to peck her forehead.
Bella jumped excitedly in the air, "Yes!"
I looked around at all of the kids, before noticing Alice was absent amongst them.
"Where's my baby?" I looked towards Christina and Timothy.
Christina pointed towards the living room, "I think Alice has finally met her match. Playing outside in the sprinklers wore her out."
Timothy and Edward soon disappeared upstairs. I sent Carlisle into the living room to pick her up, "Bella, Emmett go put on your shoes."
"How were they?" I took a relaxing seat next to Rosalie.
Christina clapped her hands excitedly, "To be honest, I had so much fun!"
Rosalie's mouth was more decorated and colorful than her cupcake. Every drop of icing she placed on it, she licked off.
I leaned towards her, "Can I have a taste?"
"Here," she placed a drop of icing on her finger, "It's yummy!"
I took the icing off of her finger, and ate it, "Oh my goodness Rose! That is delicious!" She giggled.
Timothy entered the dining room, holding a clean Edward in his arms, "James, go clean you and your sister up." Jasper and Bella were the only clean decorators. They managed to not spill a single drop of icing on themselves. Emmett, on the other hand, needed a bath as soon as we got home.
"Ready!" Bella announced, holding onto Emmett's hand, "In the car I will tell you all about our day!"
Carlisle entered the room, holding a sleeping Alice. Light breathing snores could be heard escaping her tired body.
"Rosie, can I have a hug? I'm about to go bye bye." I extended my arms, and stooped low.
She left her brother's side, and walked over towards me, "Bye Esme." Her arms flew around me, as I pulled her into my own.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
When she pulled away, I could see specks of icing on my coat. She ran back to her brother's waiting hand, before disappearing upstairs.
"Your child covered me in filth." I stood up straight, while attempting to brush off as much crumbs as possible.
Christina laughed, "You're the one who asked for a hug."
-Tiffany.
