Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight....blah blah blah....you know the drill
And I'm grouchy because I haven't had chocolate at all during Lent.....
I will be knocking down my not-so-small children Easter morning
To get the yummies :)

****

Save me
Somebody take my hand, and lead me
Slow me down
Don't let love pass me by
Just show me how
'Cause I'm ready to fall

****

I hear my phone vibrating on the nightstand and reach over to grab it. It's 7:30 Monday morning, which means that I have been asleep for almost 11 hours.

"Hello," I croak. My voice sounds like Angela's, husky and hoarse.

"Hello, sexy. How are you feeling?" Edward asks.

"Okay."

"Really? Because you sound horrible," he laughs.

"I'm fine," I answer tersely.

"You're testy. Do you still have a fever?"

"I don't know," I answer…which is a lie. I can tell that I still do.

"Can I call your mom now?" he asks.

"No way."

"Do you not want to talk?"

"Not really," I answer, testy again.

"Okay, Bella. I'll call you later. Go back to sleep. I love you," he says.

"You, too," I say, feeling a little guilty for being mean…but I really do feel like complete shit.

Sophie comes in to bring me orange juice. Chase peeks around the door, looking anxiously at me, biting his lower lip the same way I do when something is bothering me.

"Mommy, are you very sick?" he asks. Uh-oh. He only calls me mommy when he's really scared or really wants something.

"It's probably just a virus, buddy. I'll be better in a couple of days," I answer, trying to smile at him.

"You're going to get better, though, right? You're not going to die?" he asks. I close my eyes and swallow the lump in my throat.

"No, baby. I'm not going to die. I'm going to be just fine," I answer, looking in his eyes. Every time I think we're past the obsession with death the kids had right after Marcus passed away, it rears its head again. I am not even sure how much he remembers about Marcus' illness, but judging by the look on his face, he remembers his daddy being very sick in this room….and never getting better.

"Promise?" he asks quietly.

"Chase, I promise you that I am not going to die from this," I answer. He nods and disappears back out the door.

"I'll talk to him," Sophie says, rolling her eyes. "I already told him you weren't going to die."

"Thanks, Soph. Let me know when Liz gets here," I say and turn over to go back to sleep.

****

"Hey, beautiful. Wake up. It's time to go to the doctor."

I hear his voice from far away and am disoriented for a moment. Am I still in LA? I struggle to get my eyes open and I feel the bed beside me dip as someone sits down on it.

"Bella, baby, wake up," his voice says again. I frown and finally get my eyes to flutter open. The greenest eyes are looking right back at me. He smiles at me. I continue to frown at him.

"What are you doing here?" I ask grouchily.

He laughs before he answers. "You are really in a mood today, aren't you? I came to take care of you. Sophie said she thought you were worse this morning and you still wouldn't let her call anyone."

"Oh, really? And when did Sophie tell you all this?" I ask through gritted teeth, closing my eyes again. Why won't he just let me sleep today?

"Right after I talked to you this morning. She took your phone and called me back to tell me she was worried about you, so I figured I'd better get up here and see for myself what was going on," he answers.

"And I'm damn glad he did. Why didn't you call us last night, Bells?" my dad says from the doorway.

"Oh my god, you brought reinforcements," I groan. They both laugh. Laughing at Bella is not a good move given Bella's current mood. Bella's getting angry. Why is Bella thinking in the third person? Bella doesn't know.

"Come on, sunshine. Get dressed. We're going to the doctor," Edward says, standing back up.

"No," I answer sharply. More laughter. All right, I might have sounded like a two-year-old when I replied in that tone.

"Mom, please go to the doctor. You would make me go if I was the one sick," Sophie chimes in from beside my father. Jesus, they called a freaking family meeting about this. And they brought the big guns. Why can kids get parents to do stuff they otherwise wouldn't?

"She's right, Bella. And as your mother, I'm here to make you go," my mom says.

"Fine! Everybody out so I can get dressed," I huff, throwing off the covers and standing up…then sitting back down as I realize my legs are too weak to support me. I look up at Edward, and he smiles gently down at me.

"You need some help, baby?" he asks. I nod, then look over toward the door for my mom, but my audience is gone. Edward helps me stand up and walk into the bathroom. I brush my teeth and get clean clothes, then let him help me get dressed, grumbling the whole time.

"This pisses me off, just so you know, all the bossing me around. I don't like people telling me what to do," I tell him.

"I know, baby. You can yell at me all you want as soon as you're better," he says, kissing my forehead. "Let's go. Your mom already called the doctor for you. Emma's brother, right? Actually, I think your mom said 'Emma's really cute brother' is your doctor."

"He is cute. I'm not sure why I don't go see him more often," I say, spitefully. He laughs again, standing me back up and keeping an arm around my waist to support me as we walk through the house and out to my car.

"You have a terrible attitude when you're sick," he says as he helps me into the passenger seat of my car and buckles me in.

"Because you're treating me like a five-year-old," I complain.

"Because you're acting like a five-year-old," he retorts. I glare at him and he smiles back. "But I love you anyway."

We drive in silence to the doctor's office. He tries to come back in the exam room with me, but I am having none of that. Thirty minutes later, I leave with a couple of prescriptions and my still-surly attitude. Even Emma's brother, whose bedside manner I normally love, laughed at my general rudeness and suggested I get back in bed and go to sleep before I tick off everyone who loves me. I flipped him off for that comment and told him it was too late anyway.

We pick up my meds on the way home and arrive to find that my parents and kids are gone. My mom left a note telling us they sent Liz home and went to a movie. On my bed is another note: "I changed your sheets. Take a bath before you get back in. You'll feel better. Love, Mom"

I hear water already running in my bathroom, courtesy of Doctor Edward. "Do I stink or something?" I ask, freshly pissed again.

"No, Bella."

"Are you going to give me a bath like a baby?"

"If you want me to, Bella." It's pissing me off even more that he's so patient with me.

"I don't."

"Okay. I'll just go in the other room for awhile. You call if you need anything," he says, walking toward my bedroom door.

I take my bath and put clean pajamas on and actually feel a little better…or at least fresher. Just as I'm settling back into bed, Emma knocks on the door and peeks in.

"I brought you meds, juice and your favorite soup," she says cheerily. She brings it all to me then climbs up beside me.

"Jesus, did he call everyone in fucking Seattle? Don't get too close. I have the flu," I warn her.

"No shit, Sherlock. You've also got a case of the bitchies. Your boyfriend is out there scared to death that you're not going to forgive him for taking time off work, flying up here, calling your parents and taking care of you. Fuck! What does it take to please you?" she asks, sounding like she has a case of the bitchies, too.

I glare over at her, but she's not scared of me at all. I eat the soup and take my meds while Emma flips through the tv channels, stopping briefly on some reality show about a bunch of bitchy women who live together and scream at each other. "Maybe we can get you on this show. You'd fit right in," she says, laughing at me.

"Shut up. Turn it back to the food shows," I answer, laughing with her in spite of myself.

I see Edward peek around the door, then disappear back into the hallway. "Wait! Come back," I say in my husky voice. He steps back inside the doorway and stops, his hands in his pockets, and smiles with one side of his mouth. I stand up on my weak legs and walk to him, leaning my forehead against his chest and wrapping my arms around his waist. He sighs and kisses the top of my head. "I'm sorry I've been acting like a bitch. Thanks for coming and taking care of me."

"You're welcome," he says. He puts his arms around me and hugs me back.

"Aaaaand my work here is done," Emma says, sliding past us to go out the door. "I have an actual paying job tonight, so I've got to get going. Edward, I put the rest of the soup in the fridge. It's her favorite. Make her eat."

"Yes, ma'am," he answers, still hugging me.

"Thanks, Em. Love you," I say.

"Love you, too, Bells. Edward, call me if you need another Emtervention," she laughs. Then just like a real fairy godmother, she disappears.

Edward tucks me back into bed and sits down on the other side. "Okay if I sit here?" he asks.

"If you're not scared of my germs," I answer, smiling sleepily at him.

"I'm not," he says, sitting propped up against the headboard. I hand him the remote, grab his hand to hold, mumble 'I love you' and go back to sleep.

****

"Bella, wake up for a minute. Time for more medicine," he says, stroking my cheek with his hand.

I sit up to take the pills and lie right back down. "What time is it?" I ask, groggily.

"A little after ten. Everyone's home, everyone's in bed. They're all fine and Chase isn't nearly as worried as he was before you went to the doctor," he answers.

"He freaked out, huh?"

"Understandably. He'll be fine when you're better in a couple of days. Tomorrow Emma's going to come for a couple of hours so I can take the kids to do something, okay?"

"I don't need a babysitter," I grumble.

"I know you don't, but it will ease my mind if I know someone's here with you. Please? We already told Liz to take the week off," he explains.

I sigh. I knew he'd lay the guilt trip on me. "At least you're not siccing my parents on me again."

"I thought I was going to have to sic my parents on you, too, to get you to the doctor today," he laughs, sitting in the chair near my bed.

"Oh, no! I'm supposed to have lunch with Esme and Rosalie on Wednesday," I groan.

"I know. I already told my mom you had to cancel. What? Don't glare at me. I didn't hack into your calendar or anything. I called my mom to tell her I was up here for the week and she mentioned it. If you're better by Friday, she's invited all of us to Forks for the day. She wants to meet the kids," he says.

"Why Friday?"

"Because your parents are taking the kids to the Mariners game Saturday, remember? Charlie told me all about it this afternoon. He can't wait."

"Oh yeah. I had a surprise for you….no kids at home and Angela and Ben are going to Portland this weekend. You know what that means, right?" I say grinning as I close my eyes.

"Naked cereal on Sunday morning?" he asks.

"Yep."

"Okay, princess. Go back to sleep," he says.

"Edward?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't like princess, either. Keep trying," I say, still smiling with my eyes closed.

"Okay," he says with a chuckle.

****

I sleep for most of Tuesday and Wednesday. Edward runs the kids all over the place: they play mini golf, hike, bike ride and watch movies. They all tell me that they are having fun and really like Edward….and I haven't even told them about Disneyland yet.

Wednesday evening, I hear shouting out in the pool and get up to look out the window. Edward, Angela and Ben are playing volleyball against the kids. I change out of my pajamas and into sweats and a t-shirt and go outside to watch.

"Look who's up!" Angela says when she sees me coming out the back door.

"Time out," Sophie calls.

"Mom!" Chase says, clearly relieved that I've left the bedroom. I smile as big as I can back at him and wave.

Edward gets out of the pool and lays out a beach towel on a chaise for me, holding my arm to steady me as I sit down and then lean back. I smile up at him and thank him and he bends down to kiss my forehead.

"You need anything?" he asks. I shake my head. "Okay, then I've got to get back to the game. You're right about the little one….he loves smack talk." He quickly kisses my lips then walks back to the pool.

"Time in," Sophie announces, making me smile. She is always in charge…or thinks she is, anyway. Just like me, I muse.

I watch the rest of the game with a smile on my face. The adults lose – I think they throw the game. Edward and Ben are both pretty athletic and can't really be missing that many shots. Angela comes to sit beside me when she gets out, leaving the guys to put away the net.

"How ya feeling, Bells?" she asks.

"So much better. Still weak, though," I answer distractedly. I'm busy watching Edward neatly fold the net and put it away.

"You're looking at Edward like you want a piece of that pie. That's a good sign," she laughs. I laugh, too. She's right. I was definitely thinking impure thoughts, for the first time in a few days. "I tried to bring you a hot toddy Monday night, but Edward wouldn't let me. He said you'd been punished enough already. Pretty protective of you and the kids, isn't he?" she asks quietly.

"Yes, he is," I answer, looking at her now. "He told me he loves me last weekend." I smile.

"Like you didn't already know that. It's nice to hear, though, isn't it?" she smiles back at me.

I look over to where he's sitting now on the edge of the pool, tossing a football to each of my kids as they jump off the diving board, trying to catch it in midair. "They have so much fun with him," I say, mostly to myself, but I know Ang hears me.

"He plays with them, Bells. Marcus was a good father and a good provider, but he never played with them."

"Angela, don't start," I say brusquely.

"Bella, I worked for Marcus. I liked and respected him. And he loved the kids, absolutely – more than anything else. But he didn't know how to play…how to get down to their level. Edward does. That's all I'm saying. It was just an observation, not a judgment."

"I know…and you're right, and I feel guilty for even thinking it."

"Don't. You and the kids got dealt a crappy hand a few years ago….this is the universe making up for it. Just enjoy….and please don't point out how much that sounded like MK," she laughs as she stands up. "I'm going home. Air kiss." She leans down but keeps her distance and kisses into the space on both sides of my face.

We all go in a few minutes later and I sit at the kitchen counter as Edward makes ice cream sundaes for the kids while they shower.

"I never knew you had so many hidden talents. If this lawyer thing doesn't work out for you, you can definitely be a manny," I say, laughing a little.

"Oh, no. Why do I feel another nickname coming on?" he groans.

"Michael doesn't like chocolate ice cream," I tell him as he gets out all the ice cream flavors and bowls.

"I know. He likes strawberry," Edward answers.

"Chase likes nothing but chocolate ice cream," I laugh.

"I know. He told me his two favorite food groups are sugar and chocolate. He's covered," he answers from inside the walk-in pantry. He comes back out with his hands full of various toppings.

"Sophie likes –," I start.

"Vanilla with chocolate syrup, but not chocolate ice cream."

"Even though she'll stir it all together and make what is essentially chocolate ice cream out of it. How do you know all this?"

"I asked them. They'll tell me stuff, you know, if I just ask," he says raising his eyebrows at me. I stifle the flash of jealousy I momentarily feel, knowing it's irrational…knowing it's good for the kids to have a man who cares about them in their lives…knowing it's good for Edward to build independent relationships with them if our relationship is going to last. Still, I'm not used to sharing them on this level…or him, for that matter.

"What kind of ice cream do I like?" I ask, trying to stump him.

"Well, that's a loaded question. The only kind I've seen you really not like is Cherry Garcia. But I bet your favorite is still chocolate chip, on a sugar cone."

"You remember that?"

He leans across the counter to say quietly, "I remember a lot of things. I remember you putting caramel sauce in some very interesting places that weekend my parents were out of town, too."

"Oh my god, this isn't fair. I'm getting in the mood for something that we can't do right now. I'm probably still contagious," I groan.

"You want me to make you a sundae to cool you down?" he asks, smirking at me.

"No, manny. I can take care of myself," I say, smirking back.

"You wouldn't."

"I would," I laugh, getting up from the counter and walking around to stand next to him. "I'm going back to bed. Maybe we should pick up some of that caramel sauce for Saturday, though. I should be good to go by then."

I laugh when I hear Edward muttering under his breath as the boys come racing down the back stairs to the kitchen. They are impressed with manny's sundae-making abilities too.

"Can we watch tv in your room before bed, Mom?" Chase asks.

"Absolutely, buddy. Come on back when you're done," I tell him. Then I turn to Edward. "You come, too, manny. Wish I was well enough to give you a hand…or more."

He's blushing a little as he answers me. "I can take care of myself, too, you know. But I'd rather take care of you."

"Saturday?" I ask, feeling weak-kneed, but not from the flu this time.

"Saturday," he answers, winking at me. "Go to bed. We'll hang out with you when we're done eating."

****

Thursday morning I feel almost normal. Edward and I stand at the kitchen island and argue about whether or not to go to Forks on Friday. I want to go, but he thinks it's too much too soon.

"What if we invite them all here Saturday? They could come for lunch and hang out for awhile. Your parents can come, too, and then everyone can leave and we'll be alone," he suggests.

I concede. "That sounds reasonable. I just hate for your whole family to spend the day on the road."

"We'll go there next time. Should I call my mom?" he asks hopefully. I nod. "Thank you for not being stubborn about this," he says, kissing me.

"You said that like it's a miracle or something. Am I so difficult to get along with?" I ask.

"Not as long as you get your way," he answers, laughing. I laugh with him because I know that's basically true. "I'm glad you're better, but you still need to rest."

"Ugh! I can't stay in bed any longer," I complain. "I'm moving to the couch today. Where are the kids?"

"Getting dressed. Your dad's taking them to the arcade for a couple of hours this morning."

"Are you going, too?" I ask.

"No, I have to work a little. Am I bugging you? You want me to go somewhere for awhile?" he asks, searching my face with his eyes.

"No, I was hoping you were staying."

"Let's get you settled on the couch and when the kids leave, I'll come work in there if my typing won't bother you. I have to finish a brief and send it to Charlotte this morning," he says, pulling me to him and rubbing my back.

"Perfect. Edward, thank you so much for taking care of me…and the kids…this week. I hate asking for help, but I am so glad you came," I tell him.

"Bella, I keep telling you, you're not on your own anymore. I want to help you any way I can…whatever you need."

My dad comes in the door just then, smiling when he sees me up and around.

"Looking better and better, Bells," he says to me. "Looks like Edward's doing a good job taking care of you and the kids."

"Yep, he is." I say, keeping an arm around him even though he's trying to step away. "You guys are spoiling the rugrats this week, though. They're going to want me to be sick more often." Edward finally gives up trying to get away from me.

On cue, they come down and barely say goodbye to Edward and me in their haste to leave with grandpa.

"Ahhh, I love them, but sometimes the silence is so good when they're gone," I say when they are out the door. "They have to be making you crazy. I know you're used to your own space."

"Here's what I've discovered this week, Bella. My own space is too quiet and boring. I like the chaos that comes with the kids. And they're damn funny, too, just like their mother," he says, kissing me. "You go sit. I'll be there in a minute."

I lie on the couch not reading the book in my hand and he sits on the floor in front of me with his laptop on the coffee table. I play with his hair while he works, but he's not easily distracted today. Eventually, the soft clicking of his keyboard lulls me to sleep.

****

Saturday dawns sunny and warm, thank goodness. I put the kids to work sweeping outside and cleaning the pool with Edward, while I start cooking. My parents come early to help, too.

"Mom, I'm a nervous wreck. Why did I agree to this?" I whisper to her as we stand at the kitchen counter peeling potatoes.

"Because you love him. Bella, it's going to be fine. And I have to say, I'm so impressed with how Edward took charge this week. He really stepped in to take care of you and the kids. He's a good one, sweetie."

"I know. And I wasn't very nice to him when he got here," I laugh. "He should have turned tail and run…but he didn't."

"And he won't, Bella. I can see it in his eyes. You are it for him," she says, smiling at me.

"Mom, don't make me cry while I'm cooking," I scold and we both laugh. "It's too soon to say stuff like that anyway."

"Who's making my baby cry?" my dad asks as he walks in the back door.

"You're crying? What's wrong, sweetheart?" Edward says worriedly, coming in right after my dad.

I groan and roll my eyes. "No one's crying. Jeez, you're like a bunch of mother hens," I complain, laughing.

I send Edward and my dad to load drinks into the coolers and ice them down. I watch them through the window and laugh out loud when Michael and Chase come to help, then put ice down the back of Edward's and my dad's shirts. Edward chases and catches both of them and my dad runs over with both hands full of ice to repay the boys.

As if he knows I'm watching, Edward turns around to look back through the window at me. He crooked-smiles at me and I smile back and thank god that I'm not contagious anymore because I am getting me a piece of that pie tonight.

****

The Cullen caravan arrives right on time. Alice comes straight for me and hugs me. I haven't seen her since the day she came to my office, but we've talked on the phone a couple of times and have emailed regularly. She still wants me to work on getting Edward to move back and I still refuse to discuss Edward with her at all.

"I didn't know Charlie was going to be here!" she exclaims when she sees my dad. She lets go of me and goes to greet my dad. She was his favorite friend of mine during high school and she knew it…and we exploited it like crazy to get me more time with her – and Edward. Edward is making introductions between the kids and trying to quickly explain to my mom who goes with whom in his family. It's complete pandemonium for several minutes, then the kids all run off to play ball in the driveway.

"Finally," Rose laughs. "It sounded like there were 100 kids in here, not seven."

"Eight," I correct her as I lure Paloma away from Jasper with my shiny necklace. I make the rounds of the Cullens, giving one-armed hugs because I refuse to let Paloma go. My mom and Esme take over kitchen duty, telling me to sit on the patio with everyone else. I feel guilty for a moment, but then get lost in girl talk with Rose and Alice.

After awhile, the kids come racing around back looking for Emmett. They have found the marshmallow guns and want to have a war. Edward and Emmett divvy up the boys and load up the guns. The rest of us gather on the front porch to watch them and, a few minutes in, Sophie comes running from the side of the house, launches water balloons at Edward and Emmett and then all the boys turn their weapons on the now-soaked adults. Edward and Emmett surrender and are subjected to quite a bit of taunting, most of it from Chase.

"Chase DiClemente, knock it off," I call from the porch.

"What, Mom? All I said is they are old and slow. And I got the skills to pay the bills," he adds, running from Edward and laughing. Edward catches him and slings Chase up over his shoulder, spinning around and then setting him back down to watch him stumble drunkenly around, both of them laughing. Without realizing I'm doing it, I reach my right hand up and rub it over my heart.

Esme is standing beside me and she puts an arm around my waist. "I know how you feel, Bella. No matter how old they get, sometimes you're just the mother of a son and seeing him so happy makes your heart feel like it will burst," she says softly. I look at her and smile while she gives me a little extra squeeze.

Edward turns to walk toward us, still smiling, while Chase walks behind him and Edward pretends to look for him and not see him.

"Hey, ma, you seen an annoying little kid, about so tall, that likes to trash talk?" he asks Esme. Chase shakes his head no at us from behind Edward's back and giggles.

"No, son. You'll have to keep looking," she says.

"No more looking for me…I found what I was looking for," he answers, then turns quickly to catch Chase. "Hey, buddy, let's go eat," he says, letting Chase climb up him to ride piggyback to the backyard.

****

After we eat, Alice volunteers to help me clean up the kitchen. I know she just wants to get me alone to hound me about Edward.

"So, Bella, how are things with you and Edward?" she asks innocently.

"Things are good. And that is all I'm saying to you. We have an agreement, remember? We aren't discussing him and you are buttingthefuckout," I remind her, laughing.

"I know, but I really need my brother back up here. I know he'll come if you ask him," she pleads.

"Alice, I would never ask your brother to move up here," I state firmly. "I've already told you that."

"Oh, fine. I'll get Jasper to work on him, then. Maybe I'll wait 'til the holidays. That's when he hates to be away the most," she says, thinking out loud. Smiling, I shake my head at her and change the subject.

Later, I'm standing near the edge of the pool watching the kids' cannonball contest when Edward comes up beside me.

"I think it's a success," Edward says, wrapping his arms around me. "Everyone's getting along."

"It's amazing how quickly the boys all joined forces against you and Emmett in the marshmallow war," I laugh. He bends down to kiss me. "Edward, everyone's out here…our parents are watching…we'll gross the kids out."

"I don't care if the kids are grossed out and I'm pretty sure our parents know we kiss."

"Guess what I got at the store," I say, pulling back slightly to look in his eyes.

"Ohmygod, if you're going to tell me right now that you bought caramel sauce when you know it's going to be hours before I'll get to taste….baby, how could you?" he laughs against my lips.

"I got cereal, too," I say making him lean back and laugh before he presses his lips to mine lingeringly again.

"You two need to cool off," Emmett says from close by…too close by. Edward and I both stiffen, but it's too late.

"Pull him in with us," Edward says and we both try to grab Emmett as he shoves us in the pool. We aren't fast enough to get him, but Rose is. When I come to the surface, Emmet is still under and Rose is bent at the waist, laughing hysterically on the side. Edward comes up beside me and kisses me again before swimming over to dunk his laughing big brother.

I climb out the side and drip my way over to the table where Esme and my mom are sitting. My mom hands me a towel and I wrap it around myself before I sit down.

"Bella, this has been a great afternoon. Thank you for inviting us. I was just telling your mom how glad I am that you're back in all of our lives, but especially Edward's. You and your children have been so good for him. Every time he calls, he sounds more and more like the boy I raised and less like the cityslick lawyer that Caius fellow from his office wanted him to become."

I don't know how to respond to that so I just thank her.

"And I have to apologize for my other son, who I clearly did not teach well enough that it's not nice to push people into pools," she laughs.

"That's all right. I got him, Esme," Rosalie says, sitting down with us. Emmett is out of the pool now and approaching our table. "Don't even think it, Cullen. You're in enough trouble as it is," she says, glancing toward him.

"I was just going to kiss you, Rosie," he says innocently

"Emmett, if you throw me in, I'm riding back home with your parents," she threatens.

"Is that supposed to be a deterrent?" he laughs and we all join in, even Rosalie. "Come on, Edward, help me toss her in."

"Not a chance, Em. She barely tolerates my presence as it is," Edward laughs, walking up behind my chair and resting his hands on my shoulders.

"I tolerate you a lot better now that you brought Bella back. And her kids….seriously, that Sophie? Completely adorable. She's gonna push you even farther than we used to push our parents, Bella."

I groan. "I know. I can see it coming already. She'll be a handful." Edward squeezes my shoulders and kisses the top of my head.

"You'll get through it. Look how well Charlie did," he remarks.

"That's because Charlie didn't know half the stuff we were doing," Alice pipes up, pulling up a chair to sit beside me.

"I didn't want to know. I liked to remain blissfully ignorant," my dad laughs. I laugh with him and look at my mom beside me. I know she feels guilty whenever we talk about my late teen years. She wasn't around much then. I talked to her every week, but I only saw her about three times a year from the time I was 16 until Marcus got sick when I was 29. She's apologized numerous times to me for 'not being there' during my teens and for shipping me off to live with my dad. I wouldn't trade my years in Forks for anything, but I've never told her that because I don't want to hurt her feelings. I reach over to grab her hand and hold it tightly.

"My mom says Sophie acts just like I did when I was ten," I say.

"So, she's clearly going to grow up to be perfect," Edward says. I roll my eyes and Rose acts like she's going to throw up, but my mom and Esme both look at him like he just took off barefoot walking across the water.

"Don't encourage him," I say to them, squeezing my mom's hand again.

"What's the matter, Eddie? Afraid you're not going to get any tonight?" Rosalie asks, smirking at Edward and trying not to laugh.

"Rose!" Esme and Alice both exclaim.

"Rosalie, my parents are sitting here," I groan, putting my hands over my face.

"Yeah, sitting here laughing. We're all adults," she continues to laugh.

"Rose, even after this many years, I'm still amazed sometimes at the lack of censor between your brain and your mouth," Carlisle muses.

I take my hands down from my face and lean my head back to look up at Edward, pulling on his hands until he bends down. "I think it's time for Rose to get wet," I say quietly. He nods at me then looks up at Emmett. Across the table, Rose is still distracted and laughing. Emmett gets a hold of her upper body and Edward grabs her legs and they carry her to the side of the pool.

"Bella, I know this was your call," she says as she struggles to get away. At least she sounds amused, not pissed. "You know what they say about payback. It's a –," she yells, but is cut off when she hits the water. She's laughing as she stands up in the shallow water, though, and we all applaud for her. She behaves for the rest of the afternoon and hugs me again as they're leaving.

"Bella, I know I give you two a hard time, but I am really happy that things are going so well with you and Edward," she says.

"Thanks, Rose. I don't mind you giving me a hard time…usually," I laugh.

"I'll call you so we can reschedule lunch, okay?" she asks as she gets in the car.

"Sounds good," I reply, smiling and waving. I go car to car hugging everyone goodbye. Within twenty minutes, all of the Cullens and my parents and kids are gone. I collapse onto the couch in the hearth room, smiling.

"What are you so happy about, Bella?" Edward asks, leaning against the arched doorway from the kitchen and smiling at me.

"Today. I had fun. I know it's just your family to you, but for an only child like me, a big, loud family barbecue is a great experience."

"I had fun, too, but I'm glad I get you to myself tonight," he says walking into the room.

"You've had me to yourself every night all week," I smirk at him.

"Yes, but we've only been sleeping," he says, sitting on the edge of the couch and resting his hand on my abdomen. "And I've been sneaking back to the guest room while it's still dark out. I want to wake up with you tomorrow in the daylight."

"And eat naked cereal," I laugh.

"And eat naked cereal," he agrees and leans down to kiss me. "How are you feeling?"

"Hot and bothered."

"I meant do you feel sick at all, smartass?"

"No, doc, I think I'm fully recovered," I answer with a big smile.

He smiles back. "You think? Maybe, but I think you need a thorough examination to be sure."

"Looking forward to it," I say, pulling him down to kiss me again. I roll onto my side and scoot up against the back of the couch to make room for him to lie beside me. He puts his arms around me and slides one leg between mine.

"I was going to go pick up out back, but now I don't want to get up," he says, smiling at me.

"Ten minutes, then we'll get up," I say. He mmhmm's me and starts to kiss me…really kiss me like he hasn't in a week. After a few minutes, I have to pull my mouth away to catch my breath, so he moves to my neck while his hands get reacquainted with my ass.

"Know what?" I ask. He mumbles something against my neck that I can't understand, so I continue. "I'm really glad we still loved each other this week, even without the hot sex."

That gets his attention. He rears his head back to look at me, frowning. "You thought we only loved each other because of the sex?"

"No, I didn't think that. I'm just glad I was right," I say gently, reaching up to touch his face as I smile at him.

"Bella, sex or no sex, I love you," he says, smiling at me.

"Sex or no sex, I love you, too," I answer. I pull his face to mine and kiss him. "But I really like the sex."

"Maybe I should call you SG, too….Sex Goddess," he laughs.

"You really think I'll just let you copy a nickname for me? Come on, Cullen. Be creative."

"You don't like anything I come up with," he complains.

"I'm sorry, baby. Am I being difficult?" I ask. He nods, pouting, but his eyes are shining with the laughter he's holding in. "Maybe I should distract you." I grab the hand that he's currently resting on my hip and slide it up the front of my shirt, then move my top leg to hook it around his while I get my fingers in his hair to pull his lips back to mine.

"Are you always going to use sex to distract me and get your way?" he asks, smiling against my lips.

"Is it always going to work?" I ask, smiling back.

"Probably," he hedges.

"Probably?" I scoff.

"Definitely," he concedes.

"That's what I like to hear, SG. Now zip it and let me distract you," I say, laughing.

"Yes, ma'am," he says. "I have to do what you say because my mom taught me to respect my elders." He laughs as he moves his lips down my neck and tries to distract me with the hand that's caressing my breasts.

"You'll pay for that later," I sigh, relishing the warmth of desire running through my body.

"Oh, I'm counting on it, baby."

****

A/N: So I'm completely failing at updating lately. I will really try to pick the pace back up now.
Thanks for reading.....