CHAPTER 11

EPV

The morning after we rescued Bella was hectic, to say the least. I was woken up by seven pairs of arms and legs, and two bouncing two year olds.

"Dad! My best friend is going live with us. Isn't that sooo cool?"

I ruffled Ethan's hair and replied, "Yeah, Eth. That is cool."

I grabbed the two giggle monsters and tossed them onto the bed. May as well make it a party. Ethan and Chris each grabbed a pillow and started a pillow fight. I grabbed Emma and started tickling her, all the while getting pounded by pillows.

"Come on J.C., Matt. Grab a pillow or he'll tickle you!" Chris yelled.

J.C. and Matt grabbed a pillow and started swinging at anyone they can get a hold of.

"Your dad is so cool. We never could do this at our house." J.C. laughed hysterically.

"The next one who hits me is going to get it from the tickle monster!" I warned.

Everyone, except Hanna and Becca, jumped out of the bed and threw their pillows at me, nailing me in the head.

"That's it!" I yelled and grabbed the two little monsters and ran towards the seven culprits. They all screamed and escaped out the door, while I ran after them with Hanna and Becca laughing under my arms.

As we made it downstairs, the seven of them were hiding behind Charlie, Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, and Rose. They each had their arms crossed with seven pairs of eyes peeking out from behind their legs. They were trying to hide their humor when they saw me with my arms full. I looked over toward the living room and saw Bella sitting in the rocking chair, nursing Brea as she watched with humor in her eyes, blushing bright red.

"What's going on, Edward?" Esme questioned. "Why are you chasing these poor, defenseless, children?"

"Because they threw pillows at me and now the tickle monster is after them."

"Ok. And why do you have two of my granddaughters under your arms?"

"Um..so they can fly while I ran down the stairs."

"Ok. That makes sense. Now tell me this. Where are your clothes? Why are you running around the house in your underwear?"

I gaped at her and looked down at myself. Sure enough, I was only in my boxers. Shit. I handed Carlisle and Emmett the two girls and ran back up the stairs, while everyone broke into laughter. Fuck, I hope I wasn't poking out.

I made it back to my room and got dressed for the day. While I was pulling my socks on, I had a disturbing thought. Oh my God, Bella saw me in my underwear running after her children like a mad man. Nice impression, dipshit.

I slowly made my way back down the stairs and into the kitchen, where everyone fell into applause.

"It's good to see that you know how to get dressed, Eddie. I'm so proud of you." gushed Emmett.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up." I sighed and walked over and poured myself a cup of coffee. I dished up some scrambled eggs, sausage, and hash browns and went to the table. The first bite was like heaven.

"This is so good!" I moaned. "Thanks, Aunt Esme."

"Don't thank me. Thank Bella. She was up at the crack of dawn to make breakfast for all of us."

I turned to Bella and said, "Thank you. This is, really, a good breakfast."

"Your welcome. It was nothing." She answered, while blushing. Damn, I love that blush.

Everyone fell into different conversations, while we ate.

After everyone was finished eating, Emmett, Ethan, Chris, J.C, Matt, and I went into the living room to bond. When I say bond, it's where we all wrestle around with each other. Don't judge me. It's a guy thing. As I was going after a red faced Ethan, someone caught me with their foot. I slumped onto the ground groaning, cupping myself for dear life.

"Jacob Charles! What did you do?" Bella screeched.

"I'm sorry! I'm really, really sorry. Please hit me. Don't hit my mom. Please!" J.C. cried.

I looked up to see everyone with tears in their eyes. I sat up and looked at a sobbing J.C.

"J.C.? Come here, buddy."

He slowly made his way over to me, trembling the whole way. I patted the floor next to me and he sat down.

"J.C., I would never hit you or your mom, ok?" He nodded his bowed head. "It was an accident. Accidents happen, ok?" He nodded again.

Everyone left the room as Bella came and sat down with us.

"J.C.?"

"Yeah, mama."

"It's ok. No one is going to hurt me again. We're safe here, ok?"

"Ok." He looked up and wiped his face. "Where's dad?"

Bella looked at me with sad eyes and said, "Your dad's in jail."

"So, your safe here. You're not going to get hurt anymore."

"Well, I might get hurt, but not from anyone hitting me. Did you see me eating your breakfast when everyone else was?"

"Yes."

"I couldn't do that at home, could I?"

"No."

"See. It's different here."

"Ok."

She gave him a hug and said, "Now. Go play."

He jumped up, gave me a hug and ran from the room to find the rest of the boys. I looked over at her and apologized.

"You have no reason to apologize, Edward. It was an accident, like you said."

"No. I'm sorry for making him feel like that."

"Like I said, you have no reason to. Jacob is the dick here. I got up at four-thirty this morning to make breakfast. Sometimes I'm still in the mindset. I don't expect any different from the boys." She sniffled.

I pulled her into my arms and held her tight. She snuggled her face into my chest and breathed deeply. After a few moments, she looked up at me and gave me a small smile.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah. I'm ok." I chuckled.

We both got quiet and gazed into each others eyes. I have never seen eyes like hers. It's like I can see into her beautiful soul. I looked at her plump lips and back up to her eyes, in silent question. As I started to lean down to her, she whispered, "Edward." I looked back into her eyes and leaned down more. As our lips were about to touch, Matt and Ethan came tearing through the room. I laid my forehead on hers and we both sighed. "I'm sorry." I whispered and she gave me a shy smile, while blushing. We continued to sit there like that for a little while longer. I was just about to move my lips to hers again, when there was a knock on the door. Bella sighed and looked up, breaking the moment.

I sat there with my head hanging down between my legs, while Bella got up to meet whomever was here. Carlisle came over and patted me on the shoulder.

"Tough break, son." I chuckled at him, humorlessly.

"Come on into the kitchen, Detective Michaels is here."

I looked up at him and replied, "Yeah give me a minute."

He stood and shook his head, chuckling. After I successfully controlled the monster in my pants, I hopped up and went into the kitchen. I walked over beside Bella, quietly, so I didn't interrupt, and took a seat. Bella reached over and grabbed my hand under the table, I squeezed it and looked over at Charlie, who was speaking.

"So that's what's going to happen. We need to go down to the police station so you can give your final statement, Bells."

"Ok." Bella, meekly, replied.

" Do you have any questions, Bella?"

"No, Kev. I think you covered everything."

Everyone stood and followed Detective Michaels to the door. Charlie walked over to the closet to retrieve his and Bella's coats and as he walked over to us, he noticed our clasped hands. Bella quickly pulled her hand from mine and took her coat. Charlie and Detective Michaels both looked at me and nodded, slightly.

As the three of them started walking out the front door, Bella whirled around and ran back to me. She quickly stood on her toes and pecked me on the lips, then turned and ran out of the house. I stood there in shock at what just happened. That was not what I expected our first kiss to be like. Carlisle walked up to me and patted my back.

"Well. You finally got your first kiss out of the way." He chuckled and walked out of the foyer.

"Dude. Does this mean your finally gonna get some?" Rosalie walked over to Emmett and smacked the back of his head.

"What?" He said, rubbing his head while looking at Rose with a pout. While he said this, Chris, J.C., Ethan, and Matt walked in.

"What's Uncle Eddie going to get?" Chris asked.

Before Emmett could say anything else, I replied, "Hot chocolate. Who else wants some?"

They all cheered and ran into the kitchen. Rose went to find the girls, Esme went into the living room where a happy Brea was playing, while Emmett and I went into the kitchen.

Esme came in and placed Brea into Hanna's old highchair and started working on sandwiches for lunch. Rose came in with the girls trailing behind her and they sat at the table with the boys. I went over to the counter and started on twelve glasses of hot chocolate.

"Ok. Who wants marshmallows?"

J.C., Matt, Ethan, Megan, Emmett, and Emma rose their hands and I went to work. After the hot chocolate was done, I poured one of the glasses into two sippy cups, and added ice cubes to seven, plus the sippy cups, of them. I brought them over to the table as Esme was setting the last sandwich in front of Megan.

"Thank you Uncle…Daddy…Edward…Eddie." Came the jumbled reply from all of the kids, including Emmett.

When they were done with their lunch and hot chocolate; Megan went up to her room and Ethan, Chris, J.C., and Matt went up to Ethan's room. Rose and I loaded up Emma, Becca, Ashley, and Hanna and took them up to their rooms for a nap, while Esme cleaned up Brea and put her in Bella's room, for her nap. Esme, Emmet, Rose, and I all met back into the kitchen.

"Where's Jasper and Alice?" I asked no one in particular.

"Alice had to take care of some stuff at the store and Jasper wanted to get an early start on Bella's divorce. I think he was going to meet them at the station." Esme answered as I nodded my head.

We were sitting around bullshitting when Rose made a comment.

"So….Edward?"

I looked towards her and replied, "Yeah, Rose."

"Have any steamy showers lately?"

"What do you mean, Rose?"

Ok, I was confused.

"Oh, don't be coy with me."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Do I need to spell it out for you?"

"Go for it. I don't have a clue what your talking about."

"You…shower.,,moaning…yelling out Bella's name?" She asked, while raising her eyebrows and smirking.

As soon as she said moaning, I dropped my head onto the table with a load thud.

"Damn dude. You definitely need to get laid." Emmett laughed.

"Stop it you two. He hasn't had any for a long, long while. He's allowed some self love." Esme scolded. I picked my head up and gaped at her. I sat there for a minute, then looked over at a still laughing Emmett and smirked.

"Well Emmett. Looks like I have a valid reason. What's your excuse? You too, Rose."

He shut up immediately and pouted and looked over at his wife.

"Edward? Are you going to the cemetery, tomorrow?" Esme asked, changing the subject.

"Yeah. Tomorrow's the anniversary."

I looked down at my watch.

"Better yet, I'm going to head over there now. Do you mind keeping and eye on the kids for me?"

"You know I will. Take your time."

I kissed her cheek and walked out to the foyer to retrieve my shoes and coat. Right before I left, Esme came through with a sandwich. Probably looking for Carlisle.

I hopped in my car and drove to the cemetery, where my parents' empty caskets are buried. When I reached it, I got out and started my trek through the gravestones in order to reach my parents. As I reached their resting spots, I sat down with my knees up and wrapped my arms around them.

"Hi Mom. Hi Dad. Sorry it's been so long." I started, while my eyes started to pool with unshed tears.

"I know I'm a day early, and I promise you, I'll be here tomorrow, as well. I met someone. Her name is Bella. She's going through a really rough time right now. Her husband beats her and rapes her. Uncle Carlisle, Em, her dad, Charlie, Jas, and I rescued her yesterday. I don't know what to do. I almost kissed her today. My heart says to go for it and my head is telling me it's the last thing she needs right now." I paused to take a deep breath and wipe the escaped tears from my face with my coat sleeve. "She's beautiful. She has mahogany hair and chocolate brown eyes. She's a great mother. You would love her, Mom. Aunt Esme already does. I would worship the ground she walks on and love her kids like my own." I dropped my head in between my body and clasped hands and heaved a sob. "I just don't know what to do?" I took a moment to compose myself and looked up at their headstones. "I have Megan right now. She's going to be eleven in May. I don't know for how long I'll have her but at this point, I don't care, as long as she's with me. Ethan is looking more and more like me everyday. He turns seven in July. Now I understand when you couldn't say no to me when I pouted. He does the same damn thing, according to Aunt Esme." I chuckled. "Hanna, my sweet baby girl. She's growing like a weed. I can't believe she's going to be three in April." I sat there for awhile and let the tears flow down my cheeks. "God. I miss you guys so much. Sometimes it hurts to breathe, I miss you so bad." I slammed my hand down onto the icy ground and cried, "Why the hell did you decide to go on a second honeymoon? Why can't you be hear to see your grandchildren? Why the fuck did you leave me?" I fell to the ground and sobbed for what felt like an eternity.

When I, finally, calmed down, I stood, kissed my palm, and placed it on each of their headstones.

"I'll be back tomorrow. I might have company with me. Love you both. Miss you. Bye."

When I reached my car, I heard my phone chirp from the middle counsel. I picked it up and seen that I had thirteen missed calls from Esme, ten from Emmett, and twenty from an unknown number. I glanced down at the clock and looked at it in shock. 4: 52. Shit, I left the house at one-thirty. No wonder why Esme's worried. Instead of calling, I pulled out of the cemetery and headed home.

As I stepped into the house and closed the door, I was attacked by a whirl of mahogany hair. She jumped on me, wrapping her arms and legs around me, causing me to stumble back into the door.

"Where have you been? We've been worried sick. Are you ok?" She asked, while burying her head into my neck.

I wrapped my arms around her lower back and walked into the living room, with her still clung to me. Everyone looked up at us, as I walked over to the couch and tried to set her down, but she only clung to me tighter, so I sat down with her straddling me.

"Damn! You might just get some tonight, Eddie." Charlie, who was sitting next to Emmett, slapped him across the back of the head.

"Damn, Chief. What was that for?"

"Don't say shit like that about my daughter. She will never do that. Plus, it's not the time for jokes."

"Why not? I say let the fucker come hear. I'll beat the fucker to death."

"Emmett, please." Carlisle scolded.

I looked around to find all of the kids missing.

"Where's the kids? Isn't it about dinner time?" I asked, interrupting Emmett's next comment.

"Yeah. They're in the kitchen with Alice and Rose, eating." Esme replied. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine. I'm still going to go, tomorrow, but I had to talk to them about some things."

As we were talking, Bella never loosened her grip on me.

"Maybe not, son." Carlisle said, solemnly.

"Why not? What's going on?"

Bella started to sob and mumbled into my neck, "Jacob got out on bail. After Detective Michaels checked his house, we all went in and saw a lot of his things gone. He did leave the divorce papers behind, but he had written that he was going to kill me on them. Dad bagged the papers up and called Chief Bryant. They revoked his bail and are looking for him now."

As she told me this, I tightened my grip on her and laid my forehead on the top of her head. I was just about to comment on this, when the phone rang. Carlisle jumped up and ran to the kitchen, to grab the cordless.

He walked back into the room with a weary look.

"They have him in custody."

I looked up at him and saw the frown on his face.

"What's going on Uncle Carlisle? Why don't you look happy? This is good news."

"It is good news, Edward. I'm upset about how he was apprehended, is all."

Bella peaked over at him and asked, "How did they apprehend him, Carlisle?"

"He was running from the police when he got hit by a car, while he ran across the street. He's in the intensive care unit at the hospital."

"Is he going to make it?"

"I don't know, Bella. All I know is, is that it doesn't look good."

"I hope he dies." She said so softly, that I was the only one that heard her.

I kissed her forehead and laid my cheek down on the top of her head.

"If he survives, he's going to prison for a very long time." Charlie chimed in.

After we received the news about Jacob, everyone relaxed. Bella slid off my lap, causing me to hiss when she brushed my semi-erection. She looked up at me through her eyelashes and shyly said, "Sorry." I kissed her forehead and told her it was ok. When she made it beside me, she snuggled into my side. I wrapped my arm around her and placed my left leg so my ankle was resting on my right knee. This way, no one, except Bella and myself, would know about my problem. We all sat around chatting with the kids when a laughing Rose, following a serious looking Hanna, walked into the living room. She walked over to me and climbed up into my, problem-free, lap and looked at me with a very serious expression.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah, peanut."

"Why do boys have a winker?"

I choked on my own spit, while everyone of the adults shook with silent laughter. I looked down at Bella and she was shaking as well, with her head buried in my armpit. I ran my free hand through my hair and sighed.

"Um…" I started, while looking around for help. When I received none, I continued.

"Boys have winkers because…."

"So they can pee out of them." Megan interrupted.

I looked at her with my eyebrows raised and my eyes bugging out.

"That…and that's how God made boys."

She nodded, with her eyebrows scrunched together, and thought about what I said. Finally, she looked back up at me and asked, "Do you have one?"

"Yes I do, peanut. I'm a boy."

"Oh. Weww, can I see it?"

"No, baby. You can't. Girls aren't suppose to see boys' winkers."

I was trying to contain my laughter and embarrassment, when Emmett put his two cents in.

"I bet Bella would like to see it."

Everyone around him slapped him across the head and told him to be quiet. Hanna snapped her tiny head to a red faced Bella and asked, "Do you want to see my daddy's winker?"

The only thing Bella could get out was, "Um….." while she looked from me to Hanna, an even darker shade of red.

"Come on, Hanna. It's time for bed." Esme intervened. I looked up at her, gratefully, and kissed Hanna goodnight. She walked around the room, giving everyone goodnight kisses and went with Esme up to bed, hand in hand.

I ran my hand through my hair, again, and plopped my head back onto the back of the couch. Charlie chuckled and replied, "I definitely don't miss being a father of a young girl."

Bella looked up at him, with raised eyebrows.

"I wasn't that bad."

"Yes you were, Bells. I can share stories if you want?"

"Cool. Stories about a little Bella!" Chimed Emmett.

"You better not, Dad." She scolded, as she jumped up off of the couch, to take the boys upstairs. I started to get up to follow her, when she told me that she could get it.

Emmett and Rose gathered their kids up, put their coats on, and said goodnight. Alice and Jasper followed suit, shortly after.

Carlisle, Charlie, and I waited in awkward silence for Esme and Bella to return. Ten minutes later, they returned and we all sat around, talking about what was going to happen next.

Around eleven o'clock, I bid everyone goodnight and headed up to my room. As I reached my room, I sighed and looked down to my, once again, aching dick. Fuck. Doesn't it ever take a break, I thought as I made my way to another fantasy filled shower, staring thoughts of Bella and my hand. If this keeps up, I'm going to get a serious case of carpal tunnel.