Hey everyone! One quick chapter before I leave. I should have the next up on Sunday afternoon or evening! Review and enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-One

Mother Dearest

The next morning Carlisle laid in bed with Bella. They were still snuggling with the sheets tangled around them. Carlisle was busy whispering sweet words to her. She was happy being lost in time in the arms of her mate. Carlisle was right. Simplicity was import when making love. It had not been slow but not rough either. It had simply been passionate. There were no complex positions or painfully slow rocking. There was simply passion are the showing of desire for one another.

Carlisle sat up and pulled Bella to his chest. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed happily. He had satisfied her once again. It felt unbelievable to satisfy this amazing woman. And she left him fully satisfied as well. This woman in his arms belonged to him as he belonged to her. That was inconceivable to him. Though he had to admit he was deathly worried about her yesterday. She had walked into a trap knowingly of a psychopathic vampire. Psychopaths were dangerous enough, but one that's a vampire, that's even scarier. She had walked into the trap with no back up once so ever. That scared the hell out of Carlisle. He understood why she hadn't told anyone about Gavin and Liam. It's not a memory that you would want to bring to the front of your mind and discuss if it wasn't necessary. Bella seemed to be a witness to death quite often. Even as a vampire she was a danger magnet. Soon Jasper's friends would be here and the family would have a better grasp on the situation. He just wanted his family safe and sound. He wished that Bella had told him what she was going to do yesterday but the past was the past. This was Bella she wasn't one to ask for help.

"Isabella." He whispered as he nuzzled her head with his.

"Carlisle." She replied in a tender voice as she traced circles on his chest.

"Promise me the next time you get in a sticky situation like that or know there's danger please call for help."

Bella simply nodded.

"I'm sorry that I scared you." She sighed.

"It's all right. I just had no idea what was going on. Alice couldn't explain everything in the car and I was confused and deathly afraid for you."

Bella lifted her head and pulled his lips down to hers. She kissed him deeply.

"I promise." She whispered into the kiss and Carlisle sighed in content.

Carlisle climbed out of bed only to hear the protests of his beloved in the form of a mew. He turned to look at her kneeling on the bed clutching the covers to her body. She was so beautiful. Her lower lip was clutched between her teeth.

"Come on, Love. Let's get dressed. We both have plans today." Carlisle coaxed as he held out his hand.

Bella sat back on her heels and studied her partner. He looked at her quizzically.

"Is there something wrong, Love?" He asked.

She shook her head and then smiled. She dropped the sheet, hopped out of bed, and skipped to his side. She pecked him on the cheek and then searched for something to wear.

She settled for a well fitted emerald green cashmere long sleeved shirt with dark wash jeans. She pulled on a pair of black leather thigh high boots that she knew Carlisle loved. He helped her with her jewelry and then she turned around and buttoned up his shirt for him. He was wearing a cotton blue button up that he didn't tuck in with a pair of dark wash jeans that Bella had picked out.

They walked out to her vanity and did their daily morning routine. She sat down and he brushed out her hair. She closed her eyes as her mate lovingly pulled the brush through her long locks as he hummed. He realized that a few jeweled hair clips or pins would look nice. Or her gorgeous hair would make them look nice.

"Love, wait here just a moment, will you?" Carlisle asked as he put the brush down.

He rushed down the stairs and down to the basement to retrieve a leather box. When he ran back up stairs Rosalie gave him a look. Carlisle made nothing of it and hurried back upstairs to his waiting queen. He set the box down on the vanity and encouraged her to open it.

Carefully she opened the lid only to find a single hair clip in the small box. It was lovely. On the metal clip sat a swan made of diamonds.

"I thought it was appropriate." Carlisle chuckled. "It belonged to my mother. It's quite humorous really. It's like she knew all along though I'm sorry she never lived to meet you. She wore a swan and to a Swan I am betrothed."

He placed the clip in her hair and smiled. It looked quite lovely on her. She could be going for a casual look and wearing it as an accessory or a formal style and wearing it to tie her outfit together.

Bella got up and turned to face her love.

"Thank you, Carlisle." She murmured with a smile and then wrapped her mate in a hug.

He returned the hug and kissed her cheek.

"I'm glad you like it." He purred and then took her hand and then they headed downstairs.

They had to part ways for it was Emmett's turn to spend time with his father. Bella smiled and kissed her brother on the cheek.

"Aw, Mom." Emmett teased.

Bella's eyes widened. She didn't know what to say.

"Son, I'm not sure she's ready to hear that yet." Carlisle said softly.

He then placed a tender kiss on Bella's lips and she smiled.

"I wasn't mad." She chuckled. "I just know you all have been talking about it. Don't think I don't hear you. You all have raised me but… I love each and every one of you. Esme was such a good mother to you all I could never replace her."

Jasper, Edward, Alice, and Rosalie suddenly appeared behind her.

"She left us." Jasper said flatly.

"I left as well." Bella replied.

"But not selfishly. You still wanted all of us." Alice replied.

"And you're here now." Rosalie said with a smile.

"And you make Dad happy." Edward added.

"And he hasn't been this happy in a long time. You've brought us all together again. Sure we're older than you but does it really matter? I mean you've been spending time with us when you're done with work and stuff." Emmett said and picked her up and squeezed her.

Of course he couldn't easily crush her now so it felt like a normal bear hug.

"Aw, you guys, if I could cry I'd be tearing up right now." Bella sniffled.

They all had a group hug as cheesy as it was. Bella felt extremely loved. She kissed each one of her "children"/ siblings on the cheek. Her family was never going to be normal. So somehow it made sense that they were her siblings and children at the same time. They all had a special connection with Bella. She adored them all. She would do anything for them.

"So, what will it be, Mom?" Emmett teased.

"I say yay." Bella chuckled and then kissed Emmett on the forehead.

Carlisle took Bella in his arms and kissed her passionately. She had no idea how much it meant to him that she saw them as her children and wanted to be their mother. He spun her around as he kissed her and made happy noises. The entire family laughed happily. They all needed Bella in their lives and they also needed a mother. She just happened to be perfect for the role of their mother. Carlisle knew that it's safe to say that she cared about them much more than Esme ever did. Edward had been Esme's favorite and the others were just children. Carlisle adored them all and so did Bella. Now Alice, Rosalie, Jasper, Emmett, and even Edward could have a mother who loved them each as much as their father did.

Carlisle set Bella down and pecked her on the lips. They were both smiling brilliantly.

"How about we have family game night tonight? We haven't done that in ages but I thought it would be fun." Carlisle chimed as she took his fiancé's hands in his.

His family cheered in agreement and Bella smiled. She felt like she could marry this amazing man right this moment.

"All right, it's settled. I will see you all later." Carlisle chimed like a man with the world in his hands.

He kissed Bella one more time and then made a request.

"Will you text me when you get to his family's house? And then when you get home as well?"

She smiled at him and nodded. She knew he just wanted her to be safe. Some women would get annoyed because they would see it as overprotective. Carlisle was just being sweet and caring. The two men left and she grabbed her bag off the counter.

"So I'll be back later, family. Love you all." She chimed as she walked to the door to the garage where she would find her car sports car.

"Bye, Mom!" They yelled in unison. It touched her to hear them say that.

She adored her car though she knew that Carlisle would eventually upgrade her. She also knew a little black card would be coming her way once she said, "I do". She wasn't thrilled but she knew it was unavoidable. She had bought her Lexus used and it was getting old. She prayed he didn't surprise her with something expensive. Knowing Carlisle that was the only option.

With a sigh she got into the car and put her bag in the front seat. She was picking Hope up first because she was the closest. The newlywed bounced out of her apartment and down the stairs to see her best friend. Ryan came down as well and hugged Bella.

"I still can't get over the changes." Ryan snickered.

"I know. I just got prettier." Bella teased. "That's what my kids tell me anyway."

Ryan looked at her with confusion.

"My kids: Alice, Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, and Edward." She clarified.

"Carlisle's kids?" Hope laughed confused.

"Yeah, well. I'm technically going to be there mother. Whenever we move to keep up the charade in public they are going to be calling me mom anyway. We all had a revelation today that I'm more of a mom to then than Esme ever was and so now they are calling me mom. My family will never be normal and so I just said what the heck they are right. So yeah I have five kids now."

They both looked at her and smiled. Then they laughed at the last statement.

Ryan pecked his wife on the lips and then Hope hopped into the car.

"I love Ryan." Hope sighed.

Bella giggled.

"I know, Babe."

Bella pulled out of the parking lot, wishing she could go faster. Now she understood why Edward always drove so fast and why the others always do. Seattle's a city and you can't go fast in a city.

"That's a pretty hair clip." Hope pointed out as they drove to Bree and Diego's apartment.

"Thanks." Bella said with a big smile. "Carlisle gave it to me this morning. It belonged to his mother."

Hope gasped.

"That means it's really old!"

"Yep, it's from the sixteen hundreds." Bella said with a smile.

"Finally something as old as Carlisle!"

They both had a laugh about that.

"So you're really happy living with a family?" Hope asks.

"Yep. As I have said before. It's a package deal and I'm happy to have all of them in my life, even Edward."

"I got your text yesterday after we had the three way call with Bree. I'm glad that you and Edward can get along. I'm not sure I'd be able to do what you're doing."

"I know. That's what they all tell me. Edward even said he wasn't sure he could do what I am if he were in my shoes. But I guess I saw how happy he was to be with his siblings and I couldn't deny him that happiness. I know that he's Esme's favorite but he's also Carlisle's first son. He's part of the family. You know when Esme and Carlisle divorced she withdrew all her rights as a mother. Only Edward went with her, well after her. He never was ashamed of his Cullen name during the time apart. He told me he missed his family constantly. He just needed his family to love him. And he and I are becoming pretty good friends. We are on the same level literature wise and so I've been letting him read my chapters as I write them and then he gives me feedback."

"I'm really happy to hear that. Everybody deserves somebody."

Bella smiled and nodded her head.

"Edward's somebody is coming I just don't know when. Alice says that she knows but she won't say anything. She says it's not her place to say. I know Alice well enough to know that she's right and it means that his mate is coming in a way no one will expect. But I know in time he'll find her. Just like Carlisle and I found each other. Everything is good at home for everyone, which makes it easier on me dealing with the rejection from my mother. I sent her a letter and I haven't heard back from her."

"I'm really sorry, Bells. You know if she doesn't want to be part of your life then she's stupid. Carlisle is fucking perfect for you. I've never seen you so happy. When you talk about him you just light up in a way you never did when you talked about other guys. And it's not just the love that's undeniable. I just know whatever problems to you have you'll both work through them."

Bella was truly moved by Hope's words. When they got to the parking lot she reached over the consul and hugged her best friend.

Bella got out of the car only to be greeted by her best friend, Bree, and her boyfriend, Diego. Bree hugged her and Bella had to be careful not to crush her. She knew her two best friends were worried about her still from yesterday even though everything was fine now. Diego hugged her next and Bella was happy to see him.

"Cute hair clip." Bree giggled.

"Thanks. Carlisle gave it to me. It was his mothers."

Bree smiled and then hugged her again. Bella held Bree close for a few minute. She rested her head on her shoulder and just held on.

"At least it's finally over, Bella. Gavin is never going to hurt anyone ever again." Bella nodded and then released Bree from the hug.

Bree kissed her boyfriend goodbye and then popped into the backseat of Bella's car.

They took off towards Liam's family's home.

"Bella?" Bree spoke up.

"Yes, Bree." Bella replied as she checked her mirror to change lanes.

"Was Gavin a vampire?"

Bella let out a shaky breath.

"Yes, Bree. But not like my family and I. He lied to me and told me he wanted to become an animal drinker. He knew I knew about vampires. There was a group of psychopathic vampires who killed other vampires for pleasure. He wasn't in the cult but he wanted to be. The Evelyn Clan, which are on their way to Seattle destroyed them. They were after Gavin. Gavin needed my power, my mental shield. But My family killed him when he tried to kill me. He knew he needed me but the pleasure to kill was too strong. He wanted to see me in pieces. The sickest part was that he kept the ashes of his victims in a bottle around his neck. I saw it shatter when he hit the pavement. Then it just disappeared. I don't want to know how many vampires he killed. He bled Liam dry. He murdered his own mate, Alyssa. He was sick."

"Are there a lot of vampires in Seattle?" Hope asked.

"No, Seattle, Olympia, and a bit of land in British Columbia are Cullen territory. Vampires are very territorial creatures. When we went to British Columbia for the weekend to hunt we had an encounter with some rebel nomads. You see when I lived in Forks and was dating Edward a group of nomads came into the baseball field we were playing in. There had been several killings in town and chalked up to animal attacks in the paper. Edward basically set off one of the vampires, James, who was a tracker. He can't stop until he gets what he wants. He lured me into a trap and bit me. Edward sucked out the poison so I wouldn't become a vampire. When we had the encounter with the nomads with weekend the way the man approached me reminded me of James. I shouldn't have been scared but the thought of James made me unable to function. A rumor was being passed around by small clans and nomads that Carlisle had gone soft. You see he was a highly respected vampire for being the leader of a very powerful clan. When he went into depression he lost his authority and only used it when truly needed. So he needed to prove he was not to be messed with and that he was as powerful as ever. I had to back down but that wasn't a problem because I was in shock. My family guarded me and Carlisle fought with the dickhead. It was so hot seeing him take control. He told the nomads to stay away from me and to stay of our land. You don't mess with a vampire's land if you want to live."

"Wow. This is so much to take in." Hope gaped.

"I know and you don't even have to live it. I love my life as a vampire. I'm lucky. A lot of things came naturally such as control. I don't even have bloodlust problems. It's frustrating sometimes having to walk at human pace. I mean because I always knew how fast vampires could run I knew humans were slow compared to them, but until you're the one that can go fast it's fucking annoying have to walk like two miles and hour. And don't get me started about walking behind old ladies! It's like can you move any faster. I'm just happy that I'm in control of my strength or this steering wheel would be dust now and that would give Carlisle a starting reason as to why he should go ahead and buy me a new car."

Bree and Hope both burst into laughter.

"Hm. I wonder what he'll buy you." Bree chimed.

"Something far too expensive." Bella grumbled.

"Oh quit it, Bella. You're going to be Mrs. Cullen in June. You know damn well he's the kind of man who loves to lavish you with gifts. I think you're very lucky. I see how he adores you. And you get giddy just thinking about him." Bree chided her best friend.

"I know. I guess it's just a lot at once. Bree, I'm pretty sure the book will be finished by Friday."

"Oh, Goodie. Has Carlisle read it yet?"

"Only the first paragraph. I told him he had to wait for the rest."

"Well here we are." Hope said with a sad smile.

Bella turned off the car and got grabbed her bag. She pulled out her phone and looked at the picture of Carlisle and her before the drive home from the hunting trip. Carlisle was carrying Bella piggyback and she had her head resting on his shoulder. They were both smiling as they laughed. Emmett had taken the picture and had made a silly remark about the pose. She quickly texted Carlisle to let him know they were there. Then she tucked the phone in her bag and locked the car.

The three girls walked to the door hand in hand. Hope reached up to knock and ring the doorbell. Bella stood in the middle with her hands filled with those of her two best friends. She could here the moving of feet inside the house. The footsteps were light. It was a female coming to the door. Bella held her breath as the door opened only to reveal Liam's mother, Dara Russo.

"Bella… Bella Swan, is that you?" Mrs. Russo exclaimed happily.

"Mrs. Russo, it's lovely to see you." Bella said with a smile as she embraced the woman.

"And Hope Evans and Bree Tanner, I haven't seen you girls in years. Come in."

They girls came in and Hope commented that her last name was Sattler now. She flashed her left hand that sported an engagement ring and wedding band.

Mrs. Russo led the girls into the living room after offering drinks, which Bree and Hope accepted. Bella didn't feel like putting on a charade. She wasn't that good at the disposal act yet and she didn't have her family here with her to help her discard.

"Mrs. Russo, there's something we came here to say to you and your husband." Bella spoke up.

Mrs. Russo called her husband into the living room. He sat down beside her.

"The man who murdered your son is dead." That was all Bella said.

Hope stroked Bella's pretty hair in comfort. She hadn't known Liam but she knew that Bree had and Bella had been very close with her. Hope came in to help Bella heal. She knew Gavin though.

"You never have to worry about him striking again." Bella added.

Bella could hear the change in heart rate in Mr. and Mrs. Russo.

"Who was he?" Mr. Russo asked.

"A nomadic man. He's constantly on the move so he's very hard to track. It was a private job. You won't find it on police records. You won't hear about it on the news. Mostly because we don't even know if Gavin is his real name. We never knew his last name. He stalked me in college but there was nothing I could do. Telling authorities wouldn't do anything because he was clinically insane. He didn't like how close Liam got to me and so he got rid of him. He murdered his own girlfriend and then fled after this. Yesterday he confronted me and was saying nonsense. I was the next victim but my fiancé and his family came to my rescue. Now Gavin's dead. He'll never be able to harm anyone ever again."

Mrs. Russo got up and patted Bella's hand.

"Thank you for coming to tell us. I'm glad your fiancé and his family stopped him from hurting you. You're a good girl, Bella. I'm glad you didn't get hurt."

Bella smiled and the two women hugged.

"So tell me, Bella. Who is this fiancé of yours?" She asked now that she had closure about her son's death and to change the heavy subject.

"Carlisle Cullen. He's an old friend of mine from my hometown. Love at first sight, forbidden love, and all that jazz. Eight years of separation later he shows up in Seattle we find out each other's sides of the story about the day everything went wrong that pushed us apart. Realize that we can't ever be apart again and then a little over a week later he gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him. Now I'm engaged."

Bella couldn't help but swoon as she spoke of Carlisle.

"Oh, Hun, it sounds so romantic. Tell me what's he like? What does he do?"

"He's a doctor he works at Seattle General. He's so romantic. He kind, patient, sweet, caring, family oriented, confident, strong, and handsome. He's just full of life. With him it's like I can achieve anything."

Bella pulled out her phone and showed Mrs. Russo the photo. She smiled and said, "Well isn't he a handsome lad."

…

Carlisle decided to take Emmett to the biggest sports arcade in the state. It was bigger than the ESPN zones. This was the perfect combination of sports and video games for Emmett. They had talked sports during the car ride over. Now Emmett was squealing like a three year old when he saw the interactive football game where you had bands on your arms, heads, and feet so the computer transferred your movements into the virtual game. Carlisle cheered on his son. Of course he knew nothing about the contraptions. Emmett would have to show him. This could get very interesting.

Suddenly he felt eyes scanning his body. He turned his head slightly to see two blonde girls in two way two tight t-shirts and short skirts. Emmett must have sensed it too. The girls walked over to the two men and started to flirt.

"Sorry, Ladies. I'm married and quite frankly I don't plan on upsetting my wife. Not that either of you stack up to her." Emmett chuckled.

"Well what about you, Sexy." The girls each put a hand on one of his arms.

He shook them off.

"I'm engaged and happily so." Carlisle replied.

"Damn! The good ones are always taken." One of the blondes growled.

"That's never stopped me." The other blonde stated.

"Slut." Emmett coughed.

Carlisle just chuckled under his breath.

…

Bella texted her fiancé when she got home and then ran upstairs to fetch her computer. She went back to her office and got to work. The words poured onto the pages easily. She was so close. Part of her wanted to stay and finish tonight. The other part wanted to spend time with her family. She decided to see her family when the time came because she was desperate to be with Carlisle again. Hours passed but she wrote with a smile. She didn't stop until the final chapter was finished. All that she needed to do was the epilogue. And so she began. Happy endings were easy especially after such hard beginnings. To carry a character through a story that tests their limits is like watching a child grow. You see them change and become wiser. You grow with them and when you reach the back cover you felt like you've finished a journey and so you have to take a deep breath.

She found herself touching the clip in her hair for inspiration. Every chapter but the last was edited and once the epilogue was completed she proof read today's creations. She pressed save and just stared at the screen. It was finished. Her baby was finished. She grabbed her laptop and walked quickly out of her office. Once she locked up she ran into the house squealing.

"It's finished! It's finished!"

Everyone ran into the living room and Emmett and Carlisle walked through the front door. Carlisle ran right to her. She put her computer on the table just in time for Carlisle to lift her into his arms and spin her around as he crushed his lips to hers. She wrapped her legs around his waist and smiled into the kiss. She could feel him smiling, too. She laced her fingers in his hair and held him even tighter.

"You're home." She whispered against his lips. "I'm so happy that you're home."

He was thrilled by her enthusiasm.

"I'm happy to be home." He replied as he kissed her a bit more.

"My books done, Carlisle. It's all done. And I'm so happy your home. When I was talking with Bree and Hope in the car and then telling Mrs. Russo about you, I realized how damn lucky I am. I have a loving fiancé and family, amazing kids, the perfect jobs, the best friends I could ask for, and an eternity with the man that in a few months I will get to call my husband."

He pulled back from the kiss and just smiled at her. Again she had called his kids her kids.

"I'm so proud of you, Baby. I love you so damn much. We have everything we could ever ask for. I love you, Isabella."

He spun her around a few more times as he pressed a few chaste kisses to her lips and then put her feet on the floor.

"How was your day with our son?" Bella asked playfully as she kept her arms around her mate.

It made his heart swell with pride to hear her say our son. He would have to talk to her later about formally adopting the children. It wouldn't be hard since they were getting married. He wanted them to be hers in every sense just as they were his.

"Spectacular. Emmett taught me how to play all sorts of games."

"Yeah, and lots of girls hit on him!" Emmett laughed loudly.

"But I told them that i was happily engaged." Carlisle cleared his name.

"So the book is done?" Jasper asked.

Bella nodded excitedly.

"When can we read it?" Rosalie asked.

"Soon."

"When can I read the end?" Edward asked.

"Soon."

"When can I read it?" Carlisle asked with puppy dog eyes.

"Soon." She whispered and then smiled at him.

"So can we start game night?" Bella quickly changed the subject.

"Hell yes!" Edward cheered.

Alice ran to the closet and got the board game. They were going to play Monopoly.

"But it's my house! You can't rob my house just because you want the property the game doesn't work like that!" Bella yelled at Emmett.

"I can rob your damn house if I want to!" He bellowed.

"Carlisle, tell him he can't rob my house." Bella begged.

"Son, you can't rob houses in Monopoly. I don't think it's wise to anger your mother."

"But Dad." Emmett whined.

Rosalie slapped her husband on the back of his head.

"Stop antagonizing Mom just because you can." She scolded.

Emmett whined and everyone laughed. No one even minded that it started to rain because everything was just as right.