The next few days were ones of transition in the Cullen home. Lilliana spoke her first word that next Monday. The word was "Mommy" which easily made Rosalie's eternity. Emmett had been there to witness it, and saw the love, shock, and unbridled joy in his wife's eyes. He went to her side and kissed her passionately. It was the most perfect moment he had ever had the honor of seeing. Seth, having hung around constantly due to his love for Lilliana, had the privilege of seeing it as well, and had instantly applauded her. Much like her mother, she loved being the center of attention.

Little Anthony had just started smiling. Esme and Carlisle had sat there, eyes locked on his tiny form as he grinned a little toothless smile. Esme looked up at her husband, eyes shining with happiness. She loved both of them so much that she was at a loss for words. She leaned into her husband and shut her eyes. It was perfect. Completely perfect.

Meanwhile, Jasper had gone shopping with his wife to recompense for using their last wish. He sat there, complimenting her as she tried on dress after dress. Although she knew he felt guilty, she also knew that every compliment was sincere. When she was satisfied, Jasper carried eight of her bags while she carried another six.

They loaded their bags into Alice's Porsche 911 turbo before heading back to the house. They took in their bags, and then went back out to the forest, fingers interlocked. They sat quietly by the river for a long time. Jasper broke the silence.

"I'm sor-" before the words were out of his mouth she put a finger to his mouth.

"Don't. You don't need to be sorry. You did a great thing, and I'm proud of you."

"But your wish-"

"So I can't have a kid of my own. It doesn't matter. I can still be an awesome aunt anyways."

He smiled at her. "You already are."

She squeezed his hand. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She kissed his cheek.

If he had been human, he would have blushed.

They went back to the house together, brushing fingers ever so slightly.

Edward sat at the piano, Bella at his side as he played a hopeful melody that was new to all of them. Rosalie and Emmett were in the front yard, Seth and Jacob watching as their imprintee's played together in the grass. Rosalie was irritated with their presence, but ignored it because her daughter seemed to like Seth. If it made her little princess happy, then she would tolerate it. They could hear Anthony sleeping upstairs and Esme rocking rhythmically to his breathing. Carlisle wasn't due home for another three hours.

Alice half-hugged Jasper before making her way to the front door. From the pitch black look of her eyes, it was clear to him that she was going hunting. Pausing for only a moment, he made his way upstairs and went to the room he shared with his wife. He sighed deeply and, in a most ungraceful manner, flopped onto the California King- sized bed.

His mind was jumbled with emotions and indistinct thoughts. He attempted to calm himself with his gift, but failed. He grabbed his pacifier from it's hiding place and put it in his mouth, hoping to comfort himself that way and then untangle the mass of feelings that had piled up inside him.

He shut his eyes and began to think.

He knew Alice wasn't angry with him. However, he couldn't help but think she had covered up some disappointment. Despite her reassurances, he still felt a stab of guilt. Deep down he knew he had done a good deed, but at what cost? More than that, Carlisle could have gotten a wish. Despite his logic telling him that Carlisle would have wished for exactly the same thing that he had, he couldn't help but wonder if he had really done the right thing.

The more he overthought everything, the harder he sucked on his pacifier.

Esme, hearing the increase in sucking and treating it as if it were an increase in heart rate, gently laid Anthony in his crib before going to Jasper.

He heard her footsteps approaching and looked at the door. She knocked and stuck her face partway through the door.

"May I come in?"

He nodded, and she shut the door behind her. She went to sit with him on his side of the bed. She patted the spot next to her.

"Come here, baby. We need to talk."

He crawled next to her but didn't meet her gaze, irrationally expecting her to berate him for some heinous thing he'd done. Although he couldn't think of any bad behavior in recent weeks, it still sent a chill down his spine. When he looked up at her he saw a different picture: Her eyes were shining with love and kindness. She pulled him completely into her lap and cuddled him close.

"I wanted to tell you how absolutely proud I am of you." She whispered. She felt him stiffen in her arms for a moment before relaxing again. He didn't speak, so she continued. "Giving Angelique her freedom was one of the most compassionate acts I've ever witnessed, and both Carlisle and Alice agree with me."

He looked away, confirming her theory of what he was thinking.

"You have to stop beating yourself up like this. Do you think people deserve a second chance?"

He nodded, not wanting to take his pacifier out of his mouth to say it.

"Well then, isn't it time you give yourself one?"

The surprise and shock of the statement made him feel overwhelmed. She had a valid point.

As if on cue, Anthony started to cry. Esme stroked Jasper's cheek once, and kissed his forehead once. He lifted himself up and she dashed out of the room to attend to her baby, leaving Jasper alone with his thoughts.