DC: I don't own it

Thank you to my reviewers!

Chapter 21,

Carlisle steered Jasper through the crowd and onto the plane. The state was flying them home and back out again for the trial which was set for that spring. Jasper was sluggish and half asleep. Carlisle set him in his seat and asked for a blanket and a pillow. He held Jasper's hand gently and stroked his knuckles.

"I dun wanna fly," he mumbled.

"Just close your eyes and get some rest. It will be over before you know it."

Jasper nodded closed his eyes. When he got a blanket he wrapped up in it and sighed. He rested his head on Carlisle's shoulder.

"What's it like to fly?" he asked.

"It's been a while since I last flew," Carlisle sighed, "but it's not as great as you'd think it would be. You go really fast and then take off. That part worries me the most. I guess it's because we start moving so quickly. I don't care much for landing either. It's bumpy and usually wakes me up if I'm sleeping. The view is pretty nice though. Speaking of, do you want the window seat?"

"No," Jasper mumbled, "I don't like heights very much."

"Ah, right I forgot. I get you kids mixed up sometimes."

Jasper smiled. "Well there are a lot of us."

"But it's a lot I'm happy to have," Carlisle sighed happily.

"Did you ever think you'd be here?" Jasper asked. "With Esme and me and Emmett? Or even with just more kids?"

Carlisle shrugged, jiggling Jasper's head slightly. "After Lizzy died I didn't notice women. I mean I noticed them, I mean I am a man after all, but I never took interest. Then Esme came along and we became friends. The closer we got the more I wanted to not only nail her, but to be hers. After I met you boys I loved spending time with you. Edward and Alice had friends and Mitch was good company. Admittedly his passing sped up the inevitable. I would have asked Esme to marry me. I do still want a baby with her."

"A baby would make things even harder to juggle," Jasper reminded him. "We're all kinda messed up."

"Well...just you and Edward."

Jasper laughed a bit and nodded in agreement. "Thanks for adopting us, dad. Really."

"Most fathers only wish they had boys like you. You kids are my blessings and I still don't know what I did to deserve you four."

Jasper shifted a little and adjusted the blanket. "I miss mom."

"I do too."

The conversation drifted off after that. Carlisle watched the scenery and Jasper slept. Somewhere over the midwest he began to mumble a little.

"Leave me alone, please."

Carlisle looked over. His son looked like he was distressed. He started making soft sounds in moans and grunts. It was quite amazing to listen to. The way it sounded could have been an actual language. He wondered if it was how he used to communicate with his sister. When they had been babies, Edward and Alice had talked into a series of babbles and sounds. Carlisle smiled at the memory of his children as babies. Sometimes he even missed it.

Edward was laying flat on his stomach on the quilt spread out over the floor. Carlisle was leaning against the sofa with Alice in his lap and was watching Baby Boom, chuckling at the silly little ways Diane Keaton dealt with the baby.

Edward moaned and pointed at Alice. Carlisle looked over and tapped the boy's forehead with his finger. Edward tilted his head, confused, and opened his mouth. Alice giggled and pointed at her brother. She looked up at her daddy and cooed.

"That's Edward," he said, setting her on the floor. She crawled over to her brother and pushed him over onto his side. "No, no Alice we don't push!"

Edward rolled onto his stomach and pushed himself up. He glared at his sister and opened his mouth to protest. He moaned and grunted. Alice did the same.

"Okay you two come on," Carlisle sighed as he pulled them apart. Edward crawled up onto Carlisle's lap with some difficulty before Alice could. The baby girl squealed at her brother and looked at Carlisle. She pointed at Edward and squealed again, clearly protesting his stealing her spot.

"Sorry princess, he got here first," Carlisle said. He pulled Alice against his side. "But you're still my pretty baby."

"Baba," Edward whimpered. Carlisle reached over and grabbed Edward's bottle from the floor. The boy took it happily and began sucking on the rubber nipple.

Carlisle made sure that Jasper was warm enough half way through the flight. He took out a book that he had found while they were downtown and kept reading. He so rarely had a chance to read after his kids were born, even with Esme in the house. Or maybe it was also because Esme was in the house. When the kids were away he wanted to play. Not that Esme denied him. In fact it seemed that sometimes the screen door had barely clacked shut before she was on him like a horny teenager.

Thinking of his wife made him happy. He stayed away from the erotic side of her to avoid any awkward situations. He pictured her sitting in the living room, helping Alice with her Spanish homework. Edward and Emmett were probably killing each other in a video game. That new one that they had. Halo or something like that. Carlisle didn't like it one bit but the boys loved it. Emmett nearly died when they got an Xbox for Christmas and he and Edward had gotten the game as soon as it came out. They loved war games because it gave them a chance to shoot each other. Edward couldn't cheat either because the split screen showed everything anyway, which Emmett liked.

Carlisle had drawn the line at connecting it to the internet and letting the boys play with strangers online. He glanced over at his sweet sleeping son. He enjoyed the racing games they had gotten instead of the war games. But both he and Alice were known to play the battle game every once in a while. Instead of blowing each other up like their brothers, they preferred the cooperative play and beat the game before the others.

He missed his family too much to think about them for long. With a sigh he went back to his book.

---

Jasper was barely conscious when Esme pulled him into a hug so tight he couldn't breathe. That woke him up alright.

"Mom," he mumbled, "I can't breathe."

"Jasper you scared me! You are never to do that again do you hear me?!"

"Yeah I heard you."

Esme hugged him tight again and showered his head with kisses. Jasper sighed against her shoulder. There really was nothing like Esme's hugs to make him feel warm and safe. It seemed like forever before she finally let him go. She went to greet her husband. Carlisle drew her near and kissed her. The kids made sounds of disgust and Carlisle shooed them off with a wave of his hand.

Emmett was the first one to get to his brother. He hugged him tight and slapped him on the back.

"Do that again and I'll have to hurt you."

"Agreed," Jasper sighed. Edward gave him a hug that was a little more on the gentle side and then there was Alice. She ran up to him and threw her arms around his neck.

"Alice? You crying?"

"I was really scared for you. I need to know that you're okay."

"Don't worry, I'm okay."

Alice let go of him and he smiled at her. "You'll be the death of me, you know that right?"

"It is my goal," Jasper said with a laugh. Alice slapped his arm and he winced, she was way too strong for a girl.

"Or maybe you're just a wuss," Edward teased.

"Oh shut up Edward!"

"Boys can you please go a few minutes without teasing each other?" Esme groaned.

"Mom sometimes it's unfair to expect miracles," Emmett reminded her.

Esme sighed and Carlisle gave her shoulders a squeeze. "Let's go inside, shall we?"

Everyone nodded and went into the house. Esme had been making dinner when they got home and went back to that. Emmett and Edward went back to their math homework and Alice gave Jasper is back work.

"Edward said he'd help you," she said as Jasper looked at the pile in his arms.

"Joy."

"Oh don't be like that, they're giving you a couple weeks to get it done."

"Alice this is a mountain!"

"And a test in math."

"Great."

"Alright you monsters, dinner is ready," Esme called.

The kids ran into the dinning room and took their seats. While Esme served the macaroni Alice excitedly told Carlisle what had been going on since he was away and how she had gotten her period for the first time. Carlisle closed his eyes and sighed. His baby was a young woman.

"Dad?"

"Alice why do you keep growing?" Carlisle asked.

Alice giggled and patted his hand. "Don't worry daddy, I love you anyway."

"How about you Edward? Anything special?"

"Um I expanded my mental radius another few yards."

"Excellent!" Carlisle said happily. Alice and Edward went eerily quiet. "What's wrong?"

Esme gave him a look that said that it wasn't a good time to talk about it. So Carlisle pressed on with hearing about what his children were up to.

"I went out for the swim team today!" Emmett said happily.

"Great! I thought you wanted to play football."

"Nah, when I heard that Mike Newton was going out too I changed my mind. I can't stand that guy."

"Agreed," Edward added.

"Aw Eddie you just don't like him because he has a thing for Bella."

"That's not true!" Edward defended a little too quickly.

"Eddie likes Bella," Alice said in a sing song voice.

"No I don't Alice shut up!"

"Pssh you don't have to be a mind reader to know that," Jasper snorted.

"Dude you kissed her goodbye!"

Carlisle sighed and looked over at Esme. She smiled briefly at him before taking a bit of green beans. He rubbed her thigh under the table and took a bit of macaroni. It was good to be home.

---

Carlisle had forgotten whatever it was he and Esme were going to talk about by the time the kids had gone to bed. He instead watched his beautiful wife towel dry her hair after her shower and slip into her oversized t-shirt that had long ago been his. As she stood at her dresser and combed out her long hair he watched her. He observed the way her long legs shimmered in the golden light from the lamp having just been rubbed down with lotion. He watched as the milky flesh disappeared under the worn hem of the old t-shirt. He saw where the soft curve of her bottom was. He got out of bed and stretched a bit. Esme didn't really pay him any attention. They each had their nightly routines and she was in the middle of hers.

Carlisle, however, had other plans. He could practically see the smile on her face when he wrapped his arms around her waist. He nuzzled her neck until he had pushed enough of her hair away with his nose before kissing her skin.

"The kids are asleep," Esme whispered.

"So I'll just have to make sure you don't scream."

Esme giggled and put her brush down. She turned in his arms and smiled. "My dear husband, whatever am I going to do with you and your libido?"

"It's rivaled by your own my love," he reminded her, "or have you forgotten?"

Esme smiled and kissed his neck. She sucked lightly on his skin and backed him up to the bed. When his knees hit he let himself fall back with her. He looked into her eyes and smiled.

"Esme my Esme," he whispered.

"Always yours," she murmured. "Carlisle, hold me."

Carlisle turned and held her against him. Esme nuzzled his chest and smiled. "What is it love?"

"I missed your scent," she sighed, "that's all."

Carlisle smiled and turned off the light. He snuggled with his wife for a bit longer before the heavy talk began.

"Is Jasper going to be okay?"

"I can't say," Carlisle mumbled sadly, "he's taken it pretty well so far. No outbursts to speak of. He's been depressed of course and a bit angry. But he's been fairly mellow considering what's been going on."

"Do you think he'll break down later? Should we consider therapy?"

"I don't know about either one. He'll have to go back for the court case. If that woman doesn't fry I swear..."

"Calm down love, you'll get worked up before bed."

"You didn't meet her Esme! She's a nightmare! She talked about beating and abusing Jasper as if he was the weather! When she talked about her daughter...she took murder so lightly it was disgusting! How a boy as sweet and gentle as our son could come from that woman is beyond me!"

Esme nodded in agreement but didn't say anything.

---

The kids were all awake by the time Carlisle got out of bed. Or at least it sounded like it. He heard four excited voices chattering away. He smiled and walked out into the living room. Alice and Bella were sitting in their pajamas and Edward was lounging in sweats with Emmett. He saw that they were watching the previews to a movie.

"What are you kids up to?" he asked. "Morning Bells, when did you get here?"

"A half hour ago," she said with a stretch.

"We're having a stay in your pajamas day," Esme said, walking out with a bowl of freshly cut fruit for the kids to munch on.

"Where's Jazzy?" Carlisle asked.

"Still sleeping," Edward said, "it's weird."

"How so?" Carlisle asked, plucking a banana slice.

"Well he crashed the moment his head hit the pillow," Emmett said from the sofa, "Edward said he slept soundly all night and hasn't woken up yet."

Carlisle sighed sadly. "He hasn't been sleeping well for a long time. He barely slept most of the time in Chicago. He kept having nightmares."

"He's sleeping peacefully right now," Edward said, "he's dreaming about fighting aliens."

Emmett snorted. "Like Jazz could fight. The kid is the soft lovable type."

There was no disagreeing with that. Edward stopped checking up on Jasper when the movie started.

"Nice," Carlisle chuckled when Star Wars A New Hope began.

---

Carlisle loved Bella like a daughter and she was a delight to have around, but sometimes he honestly wondered if her parents ever wanted her home. He had just assumed that if someone was so desperate to get her back they would never let her go again. She said goodbye to her friends and left on Sunday night. Afterwards Carlisle pulled Edward aside while he changed the laundry over.

"Is everything okay? Bella has been over a lot more lately."

Edward looked at the basket of clothes he was holding. "Well...I heard some things..."

"What kind of things?" Carlisle asked.

"Promise you won't tell anyone? I heard it in someone's thoughts and it's private...but..."

Nothing good ever followed but from Carlisle's experience.

"Charlie and Renee are always fighting," he said sadly, "that's why Bella is always over here. She came over crying her eyes out the day before you and Jasper got back. She thinks that they're fighting because of her."

Carlisle felt sad for the girl. He remembered hearing his parents fight but his mom didn't believe in divorce and his father didn't want a smear on his reputation.

"If they split it's gonna break her heart."

Carlisle nodded in agreement. It would certainly break Bella's heart. All those years she longed to be back home and now it was falling apart. He wondered if they were to split if they would both stay in Forks. He knew Renee didn't like the town as much as her husband did.

"She wants to live in Arizona," Edward told him. "What if they split and she takes Bella with her? That's like forever away!"

"Try not to worry about that," Carlisle said, smoothing Edward's hair a bit. "Lord kid you need to trim this mop of yours."

Edward's cheeks got a bit of color and he mumbled something.

"What was that son I missed it," Carlisle said with a smile.

"I just um...I like it..."

"You said something else!"

Edward's face was glowing by now. "Bella likes longer hair on guys," he managed before the rest of his head glowed deep red.

"Wow you've got it bad," Carlisle laughed, "you really do."

"Shut up okay!" Edward whined. Carlisle bit his lip and nodded, he failed however to stifle the giggle that escaped. Edward rolled his eyes and left the laundry room. "You parents are so immature!"

"Oh come on Eddie it's cute!"

"Don't call me Eddie!"

"But Eddie-Bear daddy loves you so much!" Carlisle whimpered, grabbing his son. Edward dropped the laundry basket and yelped. Carlisle huggled him and nuzzled his head. "My widdle Eddie-Bear."

"Mom! Help! He's finally cracked!"

"There's nothing wrong with reminding ones son how much they adore him."

"Dad for the love of god you're killing me!"

"Aw Eddie I would never kill my son."

Emmett and Alice walked by with laughter clear on their face. Edward's face was now purple. He went limp in his father's arms. "If I hug you will you let me go."

"Hug me and say you'll always be my Eddie-Bear," Carlisle said.

Edward groaned and hugged Carlisle. "I'll always be your...Eddie-Bear," he finished with difficulty.

Let's hope so

Edward smiled a bit and nodded. Carlisle let him go and when Emmett began to laugh he grabbed his other son and trapped him in the hug of embarrassing names. "Emmy-poo!"

Esme sighed, wondering why her husband enjoyed tormenting their kids so much. Alice decided to spare herself and went upstairs to check on Jasper. He was still asleep. She sat down and sighed. She didn't see him waking up tomorrow either. She curled up under the blanket with him and sighed. She missed her brother.

"Jazzy wake up soon okay."

Jasper's eyes opened a bit and he looked at her. "I'm so tired," he whispered.

"I know," Alice mumbled, giving his hand a squeeze, "I'm a selfish little brat."

He smiled and nodded. "But you're my favorite brat."

"How long will you sleep?"

"Until I feel better."

Alice sighed and Jasper smiled a bit. "I'll wake up eventually."

Alice squeezed his hand. "I hope so."

"I don't know what I'd do without you Alice," he said, "you've always been so wonderful and kind to me."

"I love you Jazzy, that's why," she said with a smile. Jasper smiled back and snuggled up with her. Alice cuddled him and stroked his hair until he fell asleep again. Aside from her father and her twin, Jasper was the closest to her heart. She would watch over him for as long as he would let her.

---

"You're quiet," Carlisle murmured as Esme laid beside him that night. "What's wrong?"

"I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you too. But seriously, what's wrong?"

Esme rolled onto her side and looked at him. "Do you promise not to be angry with me?"

"I promise that I will try my best."

"I um...um...Carlisle you know I love you."

Carlisle nodded. Esme was avoiding his eyes. She was feeling guilty about something and he wanted to know what it was.

"I got my period."

Carlisle was confused. Why would that make him angry? Unless she had been wearing his boxers (like he was sure she sometimes did) and bled on them. But even then he would be more irritated than anything.

"Congratulations?" he said awkwardly.

"The day you got to Chicago I found out I was pregnant."

Carlisle felt his stomach plummet into his toes and his heart jumped into his throat.

"I wanted to tell you so badly but I couldn't over the phone. I got my period the day you guys got back. It started heavy and it's still heavy. It's hurting me much more than usual. I'm sorry."

Carlisle was silent in shock. He knew he needed to say something but there was too much for him to process. More than that, his wife was in pain. Esme started to turn away but he pulled her closer.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I didn't want to say anything in front of the kids. Edward swore that he wouldn't tell anyone. I was just so relieved to see you and Jasper that I was able to hide it. I had been so worried about the two of you."

"Esme my love I'm not angry with you. I am sad about the baby but there isn't much we can do. I don't blame you and I'm not angry."

Esme sighed and nodded. "Baby..."

"Yes?"

Esme shifted a bit. "I don't know if I want to have a baby."

Carlisle sat up. "What do you mean? Now? Or always?"

Esme sat up and rested her chin on her knees. "Carly, I love you and I love being a mother to your twins and my nephews, our children."

Carlisle would be lying if he said he wasn't feeling a bit upset. Being a father was the best part of his life and, as far as he was concerned, the only thing he was good at. He loved the way his twins had felt in his arms when they were babies, and the joy in his heart when they spoke for the first time. The sweet chime of their laughter ringing through the small apartment and filling his heart. When he inherited Jasper and Emmett he couldn't have been happier. The two boys added even more love and joy to his heart. He wanted a child with Esme. He wanted to once again feel the joy of watching the babies grow into children that he adored.

"You're angry. Don't lie."

"Not angry," he mumbled, "upset. I thought you wanted children yourself."

"Carlisle we have four beautiful children that love us. Can't we just be happy?"

"Yes, love, we are happy. I just want to know that someday our family will grow a little more."

Esme laid back down and turned off the light. She pulled the blankets up over her shoulders and sighed. Carlisle looked at her in the dark before rolling onto his side and moving away from her.

---

"What's up Edward?" Alice asked as he walked into her room. He sat on her bed and laid his head in her lap.

"Mom and dad are fighting."

"I saw that," Alice mumbled, smoothing his hair gently.

"Sometimes too much stress in a marriage can cause it to dissolve. What if that happens Alice? I can't choose between them! They would give Jazz and Em to mom and keep us with dad! We'd be separated forever!"

"Okay I think you're being overly dramatic," Alice said, tugging a bit on Edward's hair.

He looked up at her. "Alice I'm scared. I think mom might do something."

"Like what?" Alice asked.

Edward sighed. "She's been getting close with one of the guys she works with. I mean their just friends but he wants something more. I can hear it. The thoughts he thinks about her! Jesus you'd think they were married already."

"Giving me further proof that men are tards."

"So what is Jasper gonna say when he hears about Tyler crushing on you? You know how he is protective."

"Tyler can suck it," Alice told him firmly. Edward laughed weakly. "Don't be scared okay. Mom and dad love each other and nothing is ever going to come between them."

"You're right about that little angel."

They both looked up and saw Carlisle. He came over and knelt by the bed. He brushed some of Edward's tears away with his thumb. "I may not be able to read minds, but I know why my boy is upset."

"I'm just scared."

Carlisle nodded. "Me too. But Esme and I love each other and it'll take more than a little argument to change that."

"Is everything going to be okay?" Edward asked.

"For now," he answered softly. "Whatever comes we will both love you forever. That being said, it's time for bed. You get cranky when you don't get enough sleep. Both of you do."

Edward sighed and Carlisle pulled him up. Alice got under her covers and Carlisle kissed her forehead. He gave Edward's shoulders a squeeze and they walked out.

"Goodnight son," he said at the top of the stairs.

"Night dad."

Carlisle ruffled his hair a bit before going down to bed himself. Edward went into his room and made sure to check on Jasper before going to lay down himself.

TBC

Yay an update! I've got all sorts of fun teenage problems for the kids coming up. X )