Chapter 21 – Family Dynamics (Bella)

I tried to go about my day like I always had, before Carlisle remerged in my life.

It was impossible.

Emma and Masen wanted to know when Papa was returning, and asked frequently. I had no answer for them, as I didn't want to give them false hope. I simply said that he had an errand to run, and would hopefully return soon. I wasn't sure enough in his promise to tell them the truth. I didn't want them to be hurt as I had, should we never see him again.

We didn't play outdoors. We stayed in the house, so that I would hear his return the second he turned onto the driveway. I found myself glancing that way every few minutes, desperate for a sign that he was coming back for me.

There was nothing to see.

I knew I was being foolish, and yet, I could not stop the anxiety that bubbled up every few minutes. I ran my index finger up and down my thumb, focusing on the cool metal of Carlisle's ring, telling myself that he would not leave it behind – that he would not leave us behind.

I wasn't convinced.

It wasn't long before the children picked up on my sour mood, and became sullen and downhearted themselves. Our day was quiet, and the tension that hung over us put a damper on everything. They didn't know what was wrong, but they knew I was unhappy, and that made them unhappy.

I felt like a terrible mother.

During their afternoon nap, I moved to the front stoop, sat on a step, and stared at the driveway. I hoped the force of my gaze would bring his return.

It didn't.

As the day wore on, I felt myself losing faith. I put in a movie for the kids, and curled up with them on the sofa. I hoped to distract them from my anguish, and I hoped to distract myself. While I was no longer checking the driveway every two minutes, my entire being was on edge, alert for the faintest sound that would indicate that someone was coming.

I heard nothing.

Nightfall came. Softly, reverently, I sang my children to sleep, lingering much longer than usual in their bedroom. I was trying to remind myself that even if Carlisle never returned, I was not alone. I had two wonderful children who would share eternity with me, and that was enough.

It seemed it would have to be.

Sometime later, I found myself staring at Masen's long eyelashes, thinking again of how much he looked like his father. It was almost cruel how similar they were in appearance. However, watching his little chest rise and fall as he slept was the reminder that while he may have come from Edward, he came from me as well. I took comfort in that.

As I went to gently stroke his soft, tiny cheek, I heard it.

A crunching sound. It was unmistakable.

A car had turned onto our driveway.

In a flash, I was up and out the front door. I saw the car tearing down the driveway, and recognized it as my own. Which could only mean one thing.

Carlisle had come back for us!

As joy and relief bubbled over, I found myself racing to greet the car. It screeched to a stop, and Carlisle emerged without hesitation, and moved quickly towards me. In the blink of an eye, I found myself cradled in his warm embrace.

He was soothing me, holding me tight and stroking my hair. I clung to him, sobbing into his chest.

"You came back. You came back. Oh god, you came back," was all I could muster. The relief of seeing him, being held by him, and knowing that he cared enough to return was overwhelming. I couldn't think of anything else – just that Carlisle had come back for me. It was more than I could have hoped for. It was everything.

I felt tender kisses on the top of my head as soft soothing words began to penetrate my consciousness. "…of course, of course, Bella. Of course I came back. I kept my promise, dear girl. I came back. I am here, and I am not going anywhere. You can count on me. I promise. I promise."

I felt myself nodding into his chest. I knew it was true.

Carlisle was a good man. I knew he wouldn't purposefully deceive me. He had been deceived himself. He had promised to return for me, and he had. I knew to have faith in him. My heart and my brain knew it was all true. He could be trusted.

My instinct told a different story, but for now, I was willing to listen to my heart and mind once more. With him by my side, I had that luxury.

"I missed you," I choked out, as my sobs began to subside. I hadn't lessened my grip any, but I was beginning to get my breathing under control.

He chuckled. "So I see, my dear."

I sighed into his chest. It was always so hard to be upset with Carlisle. I wanted to scream at him for being late, for scaring me, and for leaving me in a situation where I might feel this way in the first place, but I couldn't. I was so happy to have him back.

We were quiet for a moment as I pulled myself together. He held me close, and I let him.

After a time, he gently asked, "Bella, do you remember why I left today?"

I nodded. He had gone to pick up Esme at the airport.

Oh, Esme!

As the realization that she might be here hit me, I found myself pulling back and looking up at Carlisle. His expression was soft, with a hint of amusement.

"Is she here?" I asked in a whisper, not brave enough to look for myself, in case it wasn't true.

Carlisle studied me for a minute, and then gave a small grin. "She is."

He turned his head, and continued. "She's waiting for you right over there."

My eyes followed Carlisle's gaze, and my breath caught as I saw her.

Esme.

She was exquisite.

In my human memories, and in the pictures I had taken for the children, Esme was lovely. Elegant. Ageless.

In person, she was extraordinary! She was stunningly beautiful, and from her radiated a warmth and kindness that I could almost touch, it seemed so real. Her entire being screamed "love". I stared at her, my mouth hanging open in disbelief, as I took in the sight of my vampire mother. I found myself unable to look away.

After a few seconds, I became aware of her expression. She was looking at me with longing, but also with sorrow. She seemed so sad. And standing alone, apart from Carlisle and myself, she also seemed smaller somehow, vulnerable. I didn't know what was going on with her.

We stared at each other. We said nothing.

After a moment of watching her, seeing that heartbroken expression on her face, I couldn't take it anymore. I turned back to Carlisle and whispered, "Is she upset with me?"

His gentle hand moved to stroke my cheek. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. My eyes closed, taking in his gentle comfort. "No Bella, of course not. She could never be angry at you."

"Then why is she looking at me like that?" I asked. "She looks so miserable, Carlisle," I said in little more than a whisper. Though I was speaking quietly, Esme must have heard me, because she let out a soft sob from her place by the car.

"Sweetheart, she's upset because you're upset. She's upset because of our actions which caused you all this anxiety. She's upset because she loves you, Bella, and she's missed you. She wants to come to you, but doesn't know how she'll be received."

I saw nothing but sincerity in Carlisle's face, and his words made me brave enough to look at Esme again. She had one hand over her mouth, seemingly to hold in her sobs, and the other clutched the door of the car. She looked like she was holding on for dear life. Her face flashed with emotion: sorrow, grief, joy, hesitation, love, longing.

The last two gave me the courage to address her. "Esme?" I whispered in a small voice laced with hope.

A great sob erupted from her, and she cried out in return, "Oh, Bella!"

Her cry let something loose within me, and in a flash I was out of Carlisle's arms and barreling straight towards Esme. She caught me with arms that were deceptively strong, and her embrace was tight and powerful. She held me to her with everything that she had, and I clung to her just as fiercely.

"Oh Esme, I missed you!" I cried. "I needed you so much! I wanted you to be there. I didn't know what I was doing, and I needed you to help me! I missed you! I missed you!" I was babbling, hysterical in my need to reconnect with her.

"My brave, beautiful girl," she whispered back, "Oh, Bella, my brave beautiful girl." She said little else for a time, as we rocked back and forth.

I could feel her warm breath on my neck, and my senses were overwhelmed with her scent, which was so familiar and yet so new to me. She smelled of baked bread and lilies. Warm, light, and good. I felt immediately at home in her embrace, and was surprised to realize that I didn't harbor the same hostilities towards her that I felt towards everyone else.

I wasn't angry with her. I was just sad.

"I love you, Esme," I whispered into her neck. I needed her to know it.

Another great sob escaped her, and her grip, which I had found tight before, seemed impossibly tighter after my confession.

"Oh baby girl, my beautiful baby girl, I love you, too! I love you so much! I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Bella! I didn't want to go. I didn't want to go," she cried back as she held me against her.

I nodded. I knew it. Carlisle had told me how angry, how frustrated she had been, and how it almost cost him his marriage. I knew she didn't want to go. I believed her.

"I will never let anyone take away my family again, Bella. I won't! I've already spoken with Carlisle about it. From now on, things are going to change, and I'm going to be making those kinds of decisions. I will not allow this to happen again. I promise it. It's not fair for you, but it's also not fair for us. We missed so much! We missed everything! You needed us, and we weren't there! You needed us, and we needed you. We fell apart without you, Bella. We can't be away from you any more than you can be away from us!"

I was shocked at Esme's pronouncement. I pulled back to look at her, and saw fierce determination in her face, and wild passion dancing in her eyes.

"What?" I asked, flabbergasted.

"We needed you, Bella. Just as much as you needed us. Our family fell apart because you were not with us. We lost our sense of self. In tossing aside one member of the family, we tossed away the entire concept. You are so important to making it all work, Bella. Please don't ever think differently," Esme declared, imploring me with her eyes to believe her.

"I… I don't know what to say," I stuttered. "I'm not sure how to feel about that, Esme," I finished softly. I wasn't angry with Esme, but I also wasn't sure I was ready to wear the Cullen crest that had been denied me for so long. Somehow, it seemed tainted to me now.

She offered me a sad smile, and answered quietly. "I know. We've lost your trust, and I know it will take some time to build it back. That's only fair. But Bella, I truly believe that if we are to rebuild this family, you will be the vital piece of it. Because it will take your understanding, and your forgiveness, to help bring us all back together again. It's very clear that you are the heart of this family, my beautiful girl."

I closed my eyes and pulled away from her embrace. I suddenly felt overwhelmed, and not in a good way.

How could they just walk away, and then come back when there was trouble and expect me to rebuild their family? It wasn't fair, and I found myself frustrated that there was any expectation of me at all. I loved them, but I owed them nothing.

I realized that even while I didn't hold Esme to the same level of blame and responsibility that I held Carlisle and certainly Edward, I was still unwilling to compromise my independence and sense of self for her. It would be my choice if and how I chose to help the Cullen family. And if and when I decided to become one of them. She assumed too much.

"Esme," I said firmly, turning to look at her from a few paces away, "I think we need to take a step back. I think you are making assumptions that are not accurate."

She looked at me with concern, and then shot a glance over to Carlisle, who was standing in the same place I had left him moments earlier. His expression of concern indicated that he understood where I was going with this. At Esme's glance, Carlisle moved into action, coming to stand by her side, and place an arm around her shoulder.

He knew my words would be difficult for her to hear.

"What do you mean, Bella?" Esme asked in confusion, stealing another glance at Carlisle.

"The fact is, Esme, that while I may have missed you desperately, and love you beyond measure, I think we need to be clear on a few points that I've already discussed with Carlisle. I assume you didn't go over the rules?" I asked, glancing at Carlisle.

"Not in any detail," Carlisle responded. "I felt it would be best if Esme heard it all from you, just as I did."

I nodded. I knew that there was more to it than that. I suspected that Carlisle had wanted to see if I would be as firm with Esme as I had been with him. He was testing me.

"Hmmm… Esme, I'm sorry Carlisle didn't feel it necessary to give you the complete picture of how things stand, but I suspect he was hoping that I would relax my position around you. Unfortunately, my emotional response to you is all the more reason for me to be cautious and clear about my expectations and needs moving forward. I wouldn't want there to be any misunderstanding that might cause a problem. Don't you agree?"

Esme studied me, and then Carlisle, before responding. "Please say whatever you need to, Bella. I admit I'm a little perplexed about what's going on, but I want us to find a way to come together, and so whatever concerns you have, I certainly want to address them," she said graciously.

I sighed. It was hard being tough with Esme. She was just so lovely, and I really just wanted to curl up in her arms.

"Well, the most important point, which you've already touched upon, is that, as of this moment, I do not consider myself a Cullen," I stated plainly. Esme gave a loud gasp and her eyes shot to Carlisle. He was looking determinedly at the ground.

"What? That's ridiculous, Bella! You are most assuredly a Cullen. We all think so!" She replied passionately.

"No, I'm not. As I understand, there are two ways for me to become a Cullen. One involves a Carlisle, the head of the family, inviting me to join the family, and the other involves Edward marrying me, and making me a Cullen that way. Neither of those things happened prior to my change, and as it stands now, I consider myself the head of my own family – the Allison family."

Esme sputtered. Then she turned and cast a steely eye at Carlisle, and said with a harsh whisper, "Did you not indicate our wishes, our feelings when you were here without me? What did the two of you talk about, if not this?"

Carlisle answered softly, "We discussed it. She is not open to joining our family at this time."

Esme's head swiveled to cast her angry gaze onto me. "Is that true?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Why not?" she asked, her voice somewhere between a whisper and a cry.

"Believe me when I tell you, Esme, that a year ago, there is nothing I would have wanted more than to be a member of the Cullen family. But much as happened since then. You all abandoned me. That hurt isn't something that just goes away. Why would I be eager to join the people who left me when I needed them the most – whatever the reasoning?"

"Besides," I continued, as I saw Esme attempt to interrupt, "I had to stand on my own two feet and figure out how to handle my pregnancy and motherhood alone. I had to be strong and tough, and I am! I learned most of what I know on my own, and I am proud of my accomplishments and independence. I am not willing to have anyone make my decisions for me anymore – and I'm certainly not willing to place the fate of my children into the hands of another. As such, I'm afraid that for now, at least, I am unable to accept membership into your family. I have my own family to run. My own children to look after. My own secrets to protect."

Esme stood still, her eyes taking in my words, and my determination.

After a moment, I continued, "As such, I think you and Carlisle will need to figure out how to rebuild your family without me. Although I'm happy to help as I can from the periphery."

I heard a low groan, and realized that it came from Carlisle. It seemed he knew what would happen a split-second before I did.

Esme's face shifted, moving from questioning to a look of blind fury in a flash. She turned on Carlisle, and shoved him harshly away from her. He stumbled back, but managed to keep on his feet. He backed away slowly, as she began circling around him.

"Did you hear that, Carlisle?" she asked coldly. "Did you?"

"I heard her, Esme," he answered softly, his eyes guarded and keenly aware of her movements.

"You heard. You heard. Well, then, I guess you heard that we are NO BETTER OFF than where we were a week ago. Our baby girl wants nothing to do with us, Carlisle. Why? Because Edward is too much of a coward to face his own feelings, and you are too detached to properly reign him in! We have lost everything. Everything! I can't believe this! Is there no end to this misery! What will it take to make this end!" Esme was screaming at Carlisle, who was watching her with a close eye.

I didn't know if I should say something, or let them work it out. I had never seen Esme like this before. She looked wild in her fury. My vampire sense of preservation had me backing towards the house. I hoped she would not hurt Carlisle, but I was damned sure I wasn't going to let her anywhere near my children like this. As a precaution, I placed my shield over the house, assuring that Esme couldn't get to them even if she was able to get past me.

"Esme," Carlisle said in a calm tone, his eyes still watching her intently, "Bella's reasoning is sound, but she's not saying that she wants nothing to do with us. I think if you listen to all that she has to say, you will find that she very much wants to get to know us again. We simply will need to abide by her terms. It's not as drastic as it may appear."

"Not as drastic… not as drastic," Esme muttered under her breath. She turned to me, then, and demanded, "Do I even want to know what these terms are? Or will they break my heart all over again?"

Her words infuriated me. In a flash of anger, I moved to stand between her and Carlisle, mindful that my shield still protected the house.

"Break your heart? You are worried about me breaking your heart, Esme?" I was enraged.

"Need I remind you – I did nothing wrong! I didn't leave you heartbroken in the woods under the cover of night. I didn't saddle you with a mythical pregnancy that you could share with no one but a pack of wolves, half of whom would prefer to see you dead that give birth to your monstrous child. I didn't make you suffer though the terror of a cesarean section at the hands of a werewolf without anesthesia! I didn't leave you to figure out motherhood and vampirism all by yourself with no friends or family for support!" I was spitting mad, and as I approached Esme, she wisely took a step back.

"Your heart may be broken, Esme, but mine was broken first! All of my reservations about sharing myself, my life, and my children with you are a direct result of your actions, or inactions. Don't you dare blame me for any of this! I won't tolerate it! If you can't find it within yourself to respect me as the head of my family, then you have proven how very much you 'love' me, and you can get on the next flight out of Vancouver. I have survived without you before. I may not like it, but I'm certain I can do it again!"

Esme gasped at my words, and I saw the grief as it overtook her face.

I turned away, both so that I could control my anger, and also to hide my shame at hurting her with my words. They might have been the truth, but I knew they were hurtful. I didn't want to be this person.

A moment passed, and then Esme collapsed to her knees and buried her head in her hands. Carlisle immediately moved to her side, attempting to comfort her. She shook him off. "Get away from me, Carlisle. I can't bear to be near you right now," she said through her tears.

The look on his face was agony. I found myself frustrated. I had every right to blame Carlisle, and I did, but I didn't think it was entirely fair that everyone else did. They all had free will, and chose not to use it.

"Be careful, Esme," I said coldly from my position a few steps away. "Carlisle is certainly not without blame in this situation, but you are not completely innocent here yourself. It would be a shame to alienate your strongest supporter, and closest family member."

Her eyes found mine, and I could see the surprise in them. I responded to her unasked question.

"Edward told the lie, and Carlisle believed it and ordered the family's departure. However, no one, including you, chose to come see me before you left. Not one of you even considered disobeying his directive to hear the truth for yourself, even if it only gave you the chance to say goodbye. No one is blameless here. Not even you."

Another sob escaped before Esme put her head back into her hands and continued crying. I found myself unable to watch her agony. I needed to be strong, I knew, but I hated that it cause so much misery.

After a moment, she whispered faintly, "Bella's right. I'm sorry, Carlisle."

In a flash, he was by her side, and she was in his arms. He held her close, and soothed her in words and with gentle, loving touches. Hearing those soft murmurs and seeing his tender care of her made my heart ache for another time. There had been a time when Edward held me that way, and loved me that genuinely. Despite everything else that had happened, I knew it was true.

I closed my eyes and let the memories wash over me. Edward's embrace, cool and hard, and perfect – it made me feel so safe in a world that otherwise felt so out of control. His eyes – there were times I could actually see his love blazing through those dark orbs, and other times when I could feel his want for me burning brightly through them as well. I felt like a princess when Edward looked at me that way.

I shuttered involuntarily as I remembered the last time I saw Edward's eyes. Cold and hard, as he split my heart into pieces. I still didn't understand. I wasn't certain I ever would.

I was brought out of my reverie as I heard Carlisle speak softly to Esme, who had calmed down considerably.

"Listen to her, Esme. She has some conditions, but under the circumstances, they aren't anything that we can't live with. The only way to get back what we had is to work together. She wants us here, she just doesn't trust us. We need to earn that back, and to do so, we need to play by her rules. She's not the same little girl we knew back in Forks, Esme, but she's still our beautiful baby girl, and with time, I think we can get back into her heart. I think we can earn back her faith. Please, Esme."

His words were whispered, and yet I felt each one of them. He had already pledged his support an allegiance to my rules and my family. He was concerned that Esme might not do the same, and that would certainly create a problem for us all. He was trying. I found myself feeling a new kinship towards Carlisle, seeing him work so hard to rectify his previous actions.

Esme nodded against his chest, and raise her watery eyes to mine. "I'm sorry, Bella," she said softly, and I could see the anguish in her eyes and hear it in her voice. "I don't know what I expected, but it certainly wasn't this. I was taken off guard. You are justified in your feelings, and I do respect all that you've accomplished on your own."

I nodded, and found myself responding in a voice that was calmer, but still with a coldness to it that I was having trouble shaking, "Thank you, Esme. I'm sorry to be so direct, but please understand, I will not allow my children to experience what I've been through. I will not subject them to the hurt that comes with abandonment. It's unfair to ask it of anyone, actually."

Esme nodded. "I know, sweetheart. I do. I was terrified and furious with Carlisle for leaving me for six days without communicating his plan. I can't imagine how much all this time alone has impacted you. I will try to be more understanding of that going forward."

"Thank you," I whispered, feeling some of the edge leave my voice. "I would appreciate that very much. I don't enjoy having to take a hard line with anyone, least of all you, Esme."

She nodded, and her eyes grew watery again. "I know. I don't want to fight either, my beautiful girl."

I found myself getting emotional and her words, and choked out, "Maybe we could start again?"

I lifted my arms, indicating that I would accept her embrace if she offered it. In a split second, she was out of Carlisle's arms and into mine. We held each other tightly, quietly, as we let our embrace heal the previous few minutes.

After a time, I moved back some, and stated gently, "I love you, Esme. You too, Carlisle." She smiled warmly at me, and Carlisle grinned as well, giving me a little wink of encouragement. "Why don't I go over the rules as I explained them to Carlisle, and then we can get you inside to meet your grandbabies? They've been missing Papa Carlisle, and I expect them to wake up soon. It would be fun to have this day end on a high note, don't you think?"

Carlisle beamed in delight, knowing that he had been missed. He looked every bit the proud grandfather. Esme smiled widely, and clasped my hands in hers.

"Tell me what you need, and I promise to make every effort. At the end of the day, as long as we're together, everything else is just details, right?"

I nodded. I knew she was struggling, but she was trying to make it easier for me to say what I needed to say. I loved her for that. I gave her hands a little squeeze, and then I began to go over the rules.

As expected, going over the rules was hard. But after our initial screaming match, we managed to get through it with little extra fanfare.

I knew that I had hurt Esme's feelings with the mere implication that either she or Rosalie wouldn't respect my role as the children's mother, but I was determined to make that point clear. Especially since there was no way to know what Edward might do. If he returned, I wanted us all to be on the same playing field. My playing field.

Once everything was out in the open, Esme seemed to need a few minutes to process everything. I could hear the kids stirring the background, just as the sun began to rise over the mountainside. I suggested to Carlisle that perhaps the two of them go for a quick hunt, which would give Esme a few minutes to process everything and get her emotions under control, while I got the kids up and ready for the day.

As they sprinted off towards the forest behind my house, I felt a familiar tug of anxiety. Would they come back? I instinctively looked down, and realized that I still wore Carlisle's ring. I would have to give it back to him when they returned, but it did bring me some comfort to know I still wore it in his absence.

My two sleepyheads eased into the morning with their usual responses. Emma was up and hopping around like a little bunny, while Masen was content to watch in amusement from bed as I attempted to get her dressed. He let me stuff his limbs into a tee-shirt and jeans before demanding that I scoop him up in my arms and carry him into the kitchen. Masen definitely got his morning routine from me.

Over their breakfast smoothie of soy milk and blood and a few chunks of fruit, I got my first question of the day, which surprisingly was from Masen.

"Papa home?" he asked hopefully. I made my heart melt a little bit.

I smiled and gave him a small kiss on the forehead. "Yes, baby, he is. He is just out hunting right now. He'll be home soon," I said reassuringly.

I found that I believed it. Carlisle would be home soon. Esme, too. They were coming back.

I got a beaming smile from Masen, and a round of cheers from Emma.

"Papa pway swide wiff us?" she asked in her little munchkin voice.

I giggled. I loved her enthusiasm. "Well, you'll have to ask him yourself when he returns, baby, but I bet he would love to play on the slide with you," I responded. I was greeted with another round of cheers from her, and a cheeky grin from Masen.

I sat at the table decided that I felt comfortable enough to tell them about Esme.

"Papa went to pick up someone special from the airport yesterday," I said. "Can you guess who it is?"

"Memmet!" Emma screamed. I laughed. She always mangled his name. Sometimes it was "Emt" – one syllable. Sometimes it was "Em". When she was tired, it was often "Emmy", which I suspected he would love if he ever heard it. When she was excited, it was always "Memmet".

"No baby, it's not Emmett. Guess again!" I was enjoying goading her.

Disappointment flashed over her face for a brief second before concentration took over. She looked like she was solving world peace as she considered her options.

"Is it Daddy?" Masen asked softly.

My heart broke a little inside. I ached to be able to tell him yes, if only so that he would have the chance to know his father. Even though I wasn't sure I could bear to be in the same room as Edward, I knew my children were desperate to know him.

I suddenly felt like my little game was cruel.

I placed a gently hand on Masen's head, and gave him a soft shake of my head. "No, little man, it's not Daddy. I'm sorry about that," I said softly.

He nodded, and looked down. After a minute, he looked up and reaffirmed, "Papa, yes. Papa coming?"

I smiled sadly at him, realizing that maybe one of the reasons he didn't talk much was because he needed a strong male influence to relate to. I found myself glad for yet another reason to have Carlisle and Esme back in my life.

"Yes, baby, Papa is still coming, and he's bringing Nana Esme with him," I added, deciding to put an end to my guessing game. It didn't seem fun anymore.

"Reawy?" Emma offered excitedly. "Nana coming to pway wiff us?"

I giggled softly at her. "Really! Nana and Papa will be back from hunting very soon, and they will very much want to play with you, I'm sure."

More cheers from Emma. Masen gave me a small smile as well.

I heard the front door open, and peeked my head around the corner to see a very excited Carlisle and Esme headed my way.

I waved them in, and turned to the kids. "In fact…" I drew out the words, building suspense, "they are here now! Can you say hello?"

I was not at all surprised when Emma hopped down and toddled her way over to Esme, who scooped her up with eyes shining. I was, however, floored to see Masen move quickly to Carlisle, and lift his little arms to be gathered up as well. I felt my eyes water, as I saw the emotion fill Carlisle's features. He was touched at Masen's enthusiasm for him, and eagerly swept him up.

Emma babbled delightedly to Esme, who was beaming with joy and the little girl in her arms. Masen leaned into Carlisle's chest, and watched his sister and grandmother interact with a small smile on his face.

Carlisle's eyes caught mine, and we shared a moment, both realizing how very significant Masen's response was. I found myself moving over and accepting Carlisle's embrace from his arm not holding Masen. He gave me a little squeeze, and unable to stop myself, I leaned up on my tiptoes and gave him a little kiss on his cheek. His responding smile was brilliant.

"Are you happy to see Papa, Masen?" I asked him softly. He nodded in response, with a sweet smile on his face. "Can you say hello to Nana?"

At the sound of her nickname, Esme's eyes found mine, and they practically spilled over with love and joy. I offered her a warm smile, and then my eyes found Masen's again, who was watching us interact. Per usual, Masen missed nothing, and saw the warm exchange between Esme and me. I knew it gave him the comfort to softly say, "Hello, Nana," before tucking his face into Carlisle's chest.

Esme gave a hearty chuckle, and leaned forward, shifting Emma to her far side so that she could reach Masen. She whispered in his ear, "Hello, my little man. I'm so happy to meet you." She then gave him a little kiss on the temple before stepping back.

I heard a little giggle from Masen, even as he was still hiding his face in Carlisle's chest. Carlisle shared a beaming smile with Esme, before whispering his own words of encouragement to Masen. "Nana sure is a charmer, isn't she, Masen?"

Another little giggle escaped him, and he nodded without removing his face.

Carlisle chuckled again, and then said at a normal volume, "And what about me, Miss Emma? Do I not get a hug this morning? Are you saving them all for Nana today?"

Emma gave him a big toothy smile, and reached her little arms for him. Esme took a step towards Carlisle, allowing Emma to give him a big hug around the neck before tucking back in Esme's arms. "Hi, Papa! I missed you!"

He chuckled. "I missed you too, my little princess!"

Esme turned to me then, and in a soft voice asked, "Her name is Emma?"

I nodded, and then realized I hadn't properly introduced her. "Oh Esme, I'm so sorry! Please, let me introduce you!"

Esme laughed warmly at me. "Let me guess. This here," she said, indicating Emma with her chin, as both hands were filled with my bubbly girl, "is Emma!"

I laughed with her. "Yes, that's Emma. Emmalie Carlie Allison. She is named for Emmett and Rose, as well as Carlisle and Charlie. I chose Allison as our last name in tribute to Alice."

The bright smile that had graced Esme's face morphed into a sad one, as she took in my words. "Oh, Bella, that's lovely. What a beautiful gesture!"

I smiled softly at her. "Thank you." There was a pause, and then I turned to Masen, who was peeking out of Carlisle's chest and watching us interact. "And this little man over here is Masen. Masen Whitlock Allison. I suspect you can guess the origins of his name," I finished quietly.

Esme nodded her head, and smiled sweetly at him. "It's so nice to meet you, Masen. You are named after two very important men," she finished softly.

I nodded. "He is. And just to be clear, I purposefully named him after Jasper so that there would be no confusion on my feelings towards him. I love Jasper just as much as I ever did – perhaps even more, now that I fully understand the sacrifice he made daily just in having me around."

Esme nodded, her eyes welling with tears that could never fall. "It's true. He was so determined, every day, to be safe around you, Bella. He struggled so much, and yet he was always glad to see you."

I nodded. "I know, Esme. I know. I hope some day to have the opportunity to offer him my thanks in person."

She smiled weakly, and whispered, "It would mean the world to him to hear you say that."

I gave her a steely look and then said, "Well, perhaps once we get a little more settled here, we can see about making that happen, then."

She gave me a big smile then, and a watery laugh. "I think that would be wonderful, my dear."

We both looked back at Masen, who was watching our interaction intently. I could see that he was concerned that we were upset, and my suspicion was confirmed when he whispered, "Mama?" in question.

I gave him a big smile and a kiss on the forehead. "Don't worry, little man, everything is ok. We are all just so happy to be together. Aren't you?" I gave him a cheeky grin, and he responded with one in kind.

"Yes, glad for Nana and Papa," he agreed softly, as he leaned his head back on Carlisle's chest.

"Me too, baby. Me too."

I found myself grinning from ear to ear as I watched the grandparents interact with Emma and Masen. We moved to the sofa, and gave Esme a chance to tell a story from the family album. We then moved outside, and true to her wishes, Emma got all of us on the slide and chasing around the yard in no time.

Esme and Carlisle seemed so young as they engaged the kids. I found myself watching them in glee, as they were silly and sweet and playful with my children. Ever since I had known them, I had thought of them as the parents – my vampire mother and father. Watching them with my children, I found myself overwhelmed at how young at heart they really were. I wished this could have been their reality – having their own little ones to chase around on a playground.

I hoped that my kids would bring them the joy that they couldn't experience otherwise.

From the delighted giggles, shrieks, and chuckles, I imagined they did.

AN: Many thanks to everyone for resisting the urge to send me hate mail while I was on vacation/travel. I had great plans to update, but RL got in the way… that, and international technology.

Also, I'd like to give a shout-out to Vivietta who was my 200th review – many thanks to her, and everyone who takes the time to give me their thoughts. It makes such a difference. Also, while I'm thanking people, I wanted to thank Camilla10 who has nominated My Forever Family for an iSparkle Award for Fresh Talent. Thank you for believing in me!