Chapter 21

It seemed after that dinner, our life got really hectic or at least mine did. Alice was relentless when it came to wedding planning. I almost wanted to hit her. Never had I have that sudden urge before. Okay so I have before but it has never been like this before. It seems she has turned into a drill sergeant and I was her trainee. She even went as far as telling me that we were manning up for the war of our life time. I told Jasper to watch her caffeine in-take closely or I would be forced to go A-WOL.

Halloween came and went. Emmett thanked Jayme and Layla profusely. With the heavy wedding plans for our New Year's wedding, Alice wasn't able to make our costumes this year. In the years past, she always found a theme that she thought was awesome but just embarrassed us in the long run. When we were sixteen, Emmett was Willy Wonka leaving me, Rose and Alice being his oompa loompas. Yeah, Emmett still hasn't forgiven her for that; neither have I for that matter.

This year she was going with the theme of The Wizard of Oz. All the kids were going to be the big characters such as Dorothy or the witches; whereas, all the adults were going to be the munchkins. I'm sad to see that Emmett, Edward and Jasper weren't going to be dressed as the Lolly Pop Guild. I would pay good money to see that. However, I was glad since that meant I wouldn't be dressed as the Lullaby League with Ali and Rose.

I did all the Halloween costume shopping online. I didn't want to bother with the crowds and lines. Layla decided she wanted to be a nineteen-twenty's mobster. We found her a pinstriped suit which included pants, vest and jacket along with the hat. Then we bought her a toy tommy gun to finish the set. Jayme wanted to be a fireman like his daddy. I found a life like bunker coat and pants for him. Then he wore his Forks Fire helmet that the station had made up for the kids that visit the station. Ian was his Dalmatian.

Edward had different ideas. He did his own online shopping and theming behind my back. The kids used my costumes to go trick-or-treating and then Edward's costumes for Esme and Carlisle's annual Halloween party. He used Batman as his theme and included each of us in his plans. Of course, he was Batman and his Robin was no other than Ian. Jayme was The Joker and Layla was Bat Girl. I was a little surprised when I saw Layla's costume. I figured he would have a problem with the little dress that it was. He told me that he was trying to let her grow up. Of course, he was using his perverted mind when he picked my costume. I was Poison Ivy. I never felt so naked before. I was in a green corset with a long green cape. The costume came with thigh-high green covers to go over my shoes and fishnet stockings. Edward looked hot as the Dark Night Batman; although, I don't think the body suit did his body justice. Of course, I'm a little biased but I don't think Edward needed a fake chest.

Emmett used the Peanuts as the theme. He was dressed in a red-striped tee shirt with black shorts. He was dressed as Linus. Em even carried a blue security blanket around. Rose said she didn't want to dress up because she was eight months pregnant. She just wanted to be comfortable. Emmett found her a black tee-shirt online that said 'the Great Pumpkin' which was pointing down toward her bump. She wore short orange shorts with fishnet stockings. Her shoes were black leathered platforms with straps with big bronzed buckles which went up above the ankle. How she wears these kinds of shoes while being pregnant is beyond me. Roosevelt was the classic vampire while Emmalee was one of the pink ladies.

Out of everyone, I felt the most sorriest for Jasper. Since Alice was unable to make their costumes, she turned to the internet as well for theirs. In fact, their theme was Alice in Wonderland. Jasper happened to be the Mad Hatter. His costume was complete with purple pants, gold shirt, green plaid vest, orange plaid jacket, big blue top hat with puffy grey hair shooting out the sides and an orange striped bow tie. He looked uncomfortable all night long. Emmett and Edward wouldn't leave him alone about it. They said he should have just been a clown. Alice was the Queen of hearts. Jasper said it was worth being the Mad Hatter since he got to see his Ali wearing a black corset top with a short frilly skirt with a knee high leather boots. He was draped over her all night long. Ashleigh was the classic Alice with her baby blue dress with a white apron; thin black head band and her patent leather Mary jams. Jackson the poor baby was the caterpillar. His costume looked as if it consisted of seven big balls of bright colored yarn. My sister needs a lot of help. The kind we can't afford. I told my dad we should have committed her a long time ago.

Halloween was gone and in came November. I had a few craft fairs that month that did quite well. You would think with the economy the way it is that people wouldn't buy candles and bath products but they sold better than most products. If they can't afford anything else, then they are going to pamper themselves and feel better.

Thanksgiving was upon us. Edward decided he wanted to host dinner at our house. So of course, I had the honors of making dinner. The Monday of that week, Alice thought we were going wedding shopping in Seattle. I hated bursting her bubble but it had to be done. I had just gotten done with a craft fair that was in Aberdeen the weekend before. It was a long drive back and I had yet to unpack all the items that did not sell. On top of that, I still needed to plan my Thanksgiving dinner so that way I could go grocery shopping. There was no way. The damn wedding shopping could wait till the next Monday for all I cared. I didn't want an elaborate wedding to begin with.

"Bella, we have to get a heads up on your dress shopping. We only have a little over a month and that means for alterations too. You are cutting way too close with this." Alice said when she came over to drag me out of the house.

"Alice, the only thing I'm doing today is unloading the car at the shop and then going grocery shopping. I have to miss the crowds at the store. Edward is on shift tonight so I will have Layla and both boys. I do not want to be in the middle of crazy Thanksgiving crowds with the kids."

"B, your dress is more important than the Thanksgiving dinner." The pixie seethed.

"Ali, get a grip. My family time is more important than anything and you know that. I could walk down the aisle naked for all I care."

"Fine, you'll do just that," she screamed. She actually screamed and stomped her feet.

"Besides, I already bought my dress. I found it at a vintage shop online. Do you want to see it?"

"You are not going to where a second hand dress for a wedding I'm planning. Are you insane?"

"I'm not the one that should be asked that question. Wait right here, I will go get it." I told her as I was walking down the steps to the basement. In the basement Edward has a game room with a pool table and an air hockey table along with a fifty-two inch flat screen TV and the WII and X-Box. He calls it his bat cave. I call it the stinky room because it's the only room in the house the guys are allowed to smoke and they don't smoke cigarettes. They smoke big stinky cigars. If you ask me it smells like butt in there. Anyways, the other room he made for me. I have my crafts set up in there. Half of the room is for my scrapbooking and the other half for my candle and bath and body making. I also have a closet in the corner. Edward wouldn't think to look in there for the dress. He stays out of my craft room and I stay out of the stinky room. Although on my part is because I don't want to brave it. On his part he fears being called a sissy.

I held the dress up to show Ali she gasped, "It's a vintage dress circa 1920's, it's not white but…" and she cut me off.

"It's absolutely perfect for you." She finished my sentence for me. She started to tear up when she told me to try it on. "Bella, it doesn't even need to be altered really. It's a little big in the bust but you can wear inserts. It's a little long but I got a pair of shoes that will be perfect for it." She said enthusiastically in which actually terrified me. When she says she has the perfect shoes, she normally means four inches tall with a one inch platform. I will be making a trip to the ER that night instead of dancing with my husband. "You did wonderful picking this out, when did you order it?"

"Before Halloween, I knew you were freaking out about not having enough time and I really didn't feel like trying on bulky dress after another when it's not me. I fell in love with this one."

"You're right Bella, and you should wear a dress perfect for you. Edward is going to die when he sees you in this."

"Mom, you look so beautiful is that your wedding dress?" Layla asked as she walked into the room. I nodded my head yes. "Dad is going to freak, he is going to so love that dress." I smiled at my daughter. "Ali, when are we shopping for all of our dresses?"

"I have been working on that. It's a little tricky since Rose will hopefully delivered by then but I'm not sure on what size to get her."

"You could always buy the extra size up and then alter it if need be. Knowing Rosalie, the bitch will be back in her normal size as soon as the baby is born."

~NB~

Edward wanted to host Thanksgiving dinner mainly because it was our first as a family. He wanted it to be special. Esme and Sue both came over to help me plan and cook/bake.

I was going to make the turkey. This is my very first year to make one. It freaking intimidated me. Esme and Sue both stayed by my side coaching me through it. They laughed when I gagged while pulling the disgustings out of its rear end.

A few days before, Sue baked several apple, pumpkin and pecan pies while Esme baked a cheese cake and candied pecans. I made my chocolate fudge and chocolate chip cookies. Thankfully we got our desserts out of the way so come Thursday we could focus on the dinner.

Thursday morning I drug myself out of the bed at five am. Why, I was up at the butt crack of dawn was beyond me. It was mainly because Edward was due home around eight and I wanted to cook his surprise. Esme gave me his mother's prized recipe for country apple stuffing. At first she was going to make it but I got her to relinquish it to me. She said it was Edward's favorite. I just hope I do it justice.

I placed it into the oven right when I heard the door open. I went over to the fridge to get the stuff ready for the bird when I felt two strong arms wrap around my waist from behind. He nuzzled my neck with his nose while pressing his body against mine.

"It smells wonderful in here, love." He said while taking a whiff of my neck.

"Edward, I barely got started." I tried to protest before he cut me off.

"Maybe it's not the food I smell." I bumped my ass into his crotch and said, "Edward, you can be so gross sometimes. I haven't even had a shower yet. Speaking of showers, you reek of smoke. Go take one yourself, hot stuff."

"Hot stuff? I'll show you hot stuff, join me," he said seductively.

"No can do, baby cakes. I got food in the oven. If you hold out about forty minutes then maybe I could help you out with that."

"I'll just be in the living room watching the news."

Once the oven dinged, I took the pan out and set it on the counter to cool. It had the lid on it, so he wouldn't know right away unless he was snooping.

I walked in the living room and he was a sleep in his recliner. I straddled his lap and started kissing him anywhere my lips could touch skin. He grabbed a hold of my hips and started moving them a long his hard shaft to cause the most delicious friction.

"Now, that's a fucking wake up call," he growled as he stood up with my legs wrapped around his waist. He was on his way to carrying me to the bathroom when we noticed Jayme lying on our bed. The big oaf dropped me on my ass as soon as he seen Jayme. Jayme looked like he had been crying.

"Lil' Man, what's wrong?" Edward asked as he went to grab for him. Edward sat on the bed and Jayme cuddled into his chest.

"I had a bad dream daddy."

"Oh really, do you want to talk about it?" I asked as I sat down next to Edward. I started to run my fingers through his hair to help calm him down.

"Daddy came and hurt daddy." Jayme said through his crying.

"Ok, little man, calm down and say that again. I hurt myself," Edward said in confusion.

"No, my first daddy did." Jayme said in a quiet voice. "The ammbulace took you. You were bleeding, a lot." Edward looked up over at me with a pained expression. He didn't know how to handle this situation.

"Baby, your first daddy, is not going to come back. HE's not going to hurt your daddy. I won't let him." I was about to say I promise but then thought better of it. I just never know what would happen in the future. "I don't want you worrying about him. Remember what I told you when you broke your arm?"

"Yeah that I was a kid and I gotta be a kid; worrying is mommies and daddies jobs."

"That's right little man. Nothing is going to happen." Edward said while whipping the tears off of Jayme's face. "How about I go get you cleaned up? So that way the other kids can't see you have been crying."

"Ok, daddy." He said more confidently before. "You're my favorite daddy." He continued in his shy voice from before. I looked at Edward and saw the awe in his eyes. I love seeing the love he holds for my boys.

"Just as you're my fav….." I coughed to cut him off, "…..orite four year old." Nice save Edward.

Edward took Jayme into the bathroom to give him his bath while I went back down to the kitchen to start on prepping everything for when Esme and Sue got there. Shortly after, Layla walked in wanting to help. I set her up working with shredding the cheese for my home made twice baked three cheese macaroni. My boys love it and said it was a must have for the day; Edward being the main one.

By the time, I got the bake beans and the green bean casserole put together and ready to be baked, Esme and Sue arrived almost simultaneously. It was as if they synchronized their watches or something. Dad and Carlisle went to go find Edward in the stinky room to watch football as the women folk were slaving away at the stove. They would have watched the game in the living room but I insisted on having the Macy Day Parade on. It was tradition and I wanted the boys to experience it.

Sue helped me prep the turkey and get it ready for the turkey roaster I picked up at Wal-Mart so that way we could utilize the oven at the same time. Alice and Jasper arrived shortly after we turned the turkey on. Rose and Emmett were lagging behind for some reason. Jasper immediately went into the stinky kingdom as Ali sat at the table with her wedding magazines looking at all the pretties with Layla.

Rose finally walked in the kitchen with Emmett holding on to her. He helped her into her seat and propped her feet up on the chair next to her. Her face was puffy and her feet were swollen. She quite literally looked like she was going to pop. It even looked like her bump has dropped.

"Rose, sweet heart, how are you doing?" Esme asked her sweetly as she was kneeling by her side.

"I don't know, Esme. I think this baby wants to come sooner than he or she needs to."

"Children have a mind of their own, dear. They come when they are good and ready. Judging by the position your bump is in; your body is getting ready for the battle." Sue had said. Right then, Carlisle walked in the room with a frazzled Emmett to take a look at Rose.

"Why don't you go hang out with Jayme and Ian for a while? They have missed their uncle. Rose will be fine. It is your third baby. You should be used to this by now." Alice said.

"I know, but something in me tells me to panic and that it's going to happen sooner than what you think sprite." Emmett snapped at Alice. He only gets edgy when Rose is nearing the end of her pregnancies. It's a mixture of him being nervous about the new baby and being nervous about losing Rose since she tends to be high risk with each baby.

"She's fine, son. She just needs to take it easy. She has dropped, so it won't be too much longer. Just stay off your feet, okay Hun."

"Of course, Carlisle; it's him panicking. I know what to expect already." Carlisle chuckled at her jab at his son which I found pretty damn near hysterical.

Dinner was finally able to be served. We sat all the adults at the big table and all the children were sitting at the two card tables that Edward set up for them. Edward sat at the head of the table with me on his right. We had Ian sitting in his high chair sitting between us.

Edward led us in prayer, "Dear Heavenly Father, we have gathered here today as one big family that has merged itself together thankful that we found each other. We want to thank you for the bounty that you have provided. Please bless Rosalie as she looks like her little one is ready to meet the world. I know both Emmett and her are worried that their baby will be healthy with the baby's impatience to meet us. I especially want to thank you for the blessing of Bella, Jayme and Ian added to our small family. They have given life to Layla and me that I hadn't seen ever. I will be eternally grateful. In your name we pray, Amen."

My eyes watered up before he was able to get that prayer done. I've said it before and I will say it again, this man never seizes to amaze me. He looked over at me and winked. He knows exactly what I was thinking and no words were needed to be said. One tear spilled over and he reached over Ian and wiped it away with a small smile.

"Awe, they are too cute," Alice cooed. I kicked her from a crossed the table. How embarrassing? She actually called us out on it in front of everyone. "Owe," and everyone erupted with laughter. Dad just shook his head. "See what I had to deal with from these two. Emmett you better hope this one is a boy."

"Actually he wants another girl." Rose said.

"Hey, my little girl is my angel." Em tried defending himself.

"Yeah, but they're too close in age. Have you considered how you were going to keep the boys away from both of them at the same time? Be glad they're not twins."

"You speak so highly of us daddy." I said sarcastically which caused everyone to laugh.

"I speak of experience."

"Yeah, but Charlie you had the police cruiser to chase the boys away," Edward added to the conversation.

"So Bella, Ali mentioned you already bought a dress for the wedding." Sue said trying to change the conversation. It was taking a bad turn right down the path we did not want to be on.

"Yes, I did. I found it on a vintage website. It's a circa 1920's dress."

"It's absolutely beautiful. Dad's going to freak when he sees mom in it." Layla said from the kids table. I pointed my two fingers from my eyes to hers telling her to basically shut up about it. Thankfully she caught my drift but so did Edward.

"So when do I get to see this dress?" Edward asked me with a mischievous smile.

"At midnight on New Year's eve at the altar," Ali answered for me. "It's bad luck for you to see the dress before she walks down the aisle."

When everyone was about done eating, I went to the kitchen to set up the dessert bar. Since we had and array of desserts, I decided to set them out on the counter buffet style. I walked back into the dining room to call everyone in for dessert when I noticed everyone crowded around Rose.

"You're going into labor. Alice call 911 and get an ambulance here." Carlisle said.

"There's no time Carlisle. My body is already pushing. I feel the baby, he's coming now." Rose said with gritted teeth.

"You can set her up in the guest bedroom. I'll make sure there are enough pillows and blankets. She'll be comfortable up there." Before I finished my sentence, Edward scooped her up and started to carry her upstairs. Emmett was still freaking out. You would have thought that after three kids he would be a pro and not freak as much.

"Alice, please go out to my car and grab my medical bag." Carlisle asked Alice. "Esme, come with us. Rose will need your support. Charlie, will you try to get my son to calm down enough for him to come upstairs and be with his wife?"

"Of course, Carlisle; come on, Em snap out of it….." I could hear my dad say as I was already up the stairs and prepping the room. Edward laid Rose on the bed and I helped position her up at the pillows.

"Edward, I'm going to need your assistance with this. I can utilize your medical background. Bella I need you to support her. Hold her hand and help keep her calm; you too Esme." At this time, Emmett finally came in the room. He looked much better. He took over Esme's post at her left shoulder. "Esme and Edward, I need you to hold her legs up like this." Carlisle had them holding her legs bent at the knee up and away opening her up to give birth and help aid in pushing the baby out.

"I'm so sorry Rose. I didn't mean to go hysterical on you." Emmett had said.

"It's ok, Em. I know you're an idiot but that's why I love you." She said through her screams. I guess she had a pretty bad contraction at the moment. "Just so we are clear, you are not having sex with me again until you get yourself fixed." She said through another tremor of contractions. If my hand wasn't currently clutched by Rosalie's death grip, I would have laughed at Emmett's pathetic pout.

"Ok now Rose, on the next contraction, I want you to push," Carlisle had said. She had been doing great. I might need Carlisle to check my hand after she does deliver just to make sure there weren't any broken bones.

"You're crowning, Rose. I see the baby's head." Carlisle had said. Even though he's not a baby doctor, he is doing remarkably great. "The head is out. I'm going to turn the baby now to help the shoulders out." We heard the baby crying. It was the most amazing sound in the world. Rosalie and Emmett both had smiles from ear to ear. Once the baby was out, Carlisle clamped the umbilical cord and had Emmett cut the cord. "It's a boy."

The look on Rosalie's face mirrored the look on Emmett's when she got to hold their baby for the very first time. "He's perfect." She whispered. Right at that moment, the EMT's walked in the room and prepped both mom and baby to go to the hospital.

AN: Thanksgiving done and out of the way. Bella has her dress and they are moving right along. What kind of family holiday would it be if something extreme didn't happen? So Rose and Emmett got to meet their new baby boy.

I do not own Twilight.