Hi everyone!

Your reviews make me write faster. Sandy's pictures make me write faster. I love you all!

Melanie sent me some absolutely beautiful flowers yesterday that brightened my day. But just chatting with her with her Facebook brightens my day.

Dally, my Wiccan guide, is finally taking control of her life. So happy and proud!

Let's see what is going on with Alice…shall we?

Everyone in the room froze as Esme wiped her hand off on the towel she had in her lap. Carlisle pushed her out of the way and took charge. They were in uncharted territory, and they needed a leader.

"Esme, go and get some more towels. Jasper, you just keep holding her up. Support her. Encourage her. Bella, can you come and help me?" he demanded quickly. They all jumped to follow his directions, while Alice just sat there, suffering through the pain in silence.

"Alice, the baby is coming quickly and we need to get her out as soon as we can. You are already fully dilated and ready to push. You need to help me here, sweetheart," Carlisle soothed, and Alice managed to surface from her shock long enough to nod. Jasper held her securely in the cradle of his body as she curled into a ball and started to push. Esme came back in with the towels and a beautiful pink blanket that had been used for the Hale babies for centuries.

"That's great Alice, just keep doing that," he encouraged, as Alice took a deep breath and started pushing again.

"You're doing so good, baby. Soon we'll get to meet our little girl," Jasper whispered in her ear, desperate to help her. He felt so damn useless as he watched her in so much pain.

Alice struggled to keep her eyes open, watching as her parents whispered to each other and fumbled beneath the cover of her nightgown.

"What's wrong?" she grunted, bearing down through another contraction. "And don't even bother telling me nothing's wrong. I know something's going on," she demanded, relaxing back against Jasper when the pain eased.

Esme moved from the end of the bed to Alice's side, taking her sweaty face in her hands.

"The baby is breech, and it's going to be a struggle to get her out. But you can do this Alice, I know you can," Esme said, vehemently.

Bella helped Esme hold one of Alice's legs while she pushed, her eyes meeting Edward's often as he stood at the head of the bed. Soon this would be them…but would she get to hold her child in her arms or would she be gone? She didn't have long to ponder that thought, because Carlisle was soon moving quickly at the end of the bed, grabbing towels and encouraging Alice to really push. The veins stood out in her neck as she struggled, her nails digging into Jasper's hand as he supported her.

And then…

The cry echoed loudly in the room as Carlisle held the squirming bundle against his chest. He set her down on the bed and checked her over quickly, pronouncing her in perfect health before he gave her to her momma. Alice held the sweet little baby in her arms, tears streaming down her face as she tipped her head back and kissed Jasper.

"I've never been so happy," she whispered against his lips, and then turned and looked at their daughter. Her eyes were closed tight, her blonde hair was still matted to her scalp but it was already starting to curl. She was beautiful.

Alice looked up at Bella, extending the baby for her to hold, when another round of contractions hit her. She looked up at her father, her face going beyond pale as she struggled against the pain.

"What's going on?" she screamed, letting Bella take the baby as her body contorted in agony.

Carlisle pushed back the hem of her nightgown and laughed…loudly.

"You're getting two for the price of one! It's twins," he said, reaching down to guide the second baby into the world. A few pushes later and Alice and Jasper were parents to not one, but two healthy and perfect little girls.

Once everyone was cleaned up, Jasper held Alice tightly while she balanced the two babies in her arms. Esme and Carlisle sat on the edge of the bed, patiently waiting for their turn to hold their granddaughters and Bella and Edward stood in the open doorway.

"This is a sign Bella. Not only the babies coming early, but the fact that there are two of them. The curse is broken, I'm sure of it," Alice whispered fiercely. Bella smiled through her tears and nodded, but deep inside she was still petrified. It was easy for Alice to say that when she had her babies safe in her arms.

*()*()*

It was a good thing old houses were built as sturdy as they were, Bella thought as she lay in their bed. She could just barely hear the babies crying from Alice and Jasper's room, but at least the noise wouldn't be loud enough to keep her awake. Edward's hand and lips moving against her belly, on the other hand, that would keep her from sleeping.

"I cannot wait until I can hold you and your mother in my arms. Will you look like me? I wonder, so," he whispered against her swollen flesh. He was laying down on his side, his head on her thigh, and his mouth against where their child was resting. Tears burned Bella's eyes as she imagined the moments after their child's birth.

One Swan lives…the other…

"Edward!" she cried, sitting up and frantically grabbing for his hands. "I have an idea."

*()*()*

Bella was resplendent as she stood at the edge of the cliff, her white gown catching the light from the waning moon.

Edward looked proud and regal, standing next to her, his smile just for her.

On the table between them were four candles, gold, silver, red and white, as well as the bundle of thirteen different colored ribbons that would be used to bind them.

The circle was cast, the quarters were called and the God and Goddess were invoked.

It was time.

Bella turned to Edward, tears sliding gracefully down her cheeks as she started the ritual.

With the God and the Goddess as witnesses,

we give of ourselves for as long as we live.

My hand in yours, the ties will bind,

and join us together for all of time.

A year and a day, if we choose to part,

you will forever own my heart.

My love for you will never flee,

as is my will, so mote it be.

Bella clasped her left hand with Edward, and together they tied the colorful ribbons around their hands, joining them as one.

Once the knot was tied, Edward bent down and gently pressed his lips to Bella's, sealing her words with a kiss.

The besom lay on the ground next to the altar, and as they jumped over it, the ceremony was complete.

Bella looked up at Edward, a peaceful smile on her face.

"I'm no longer a Swan," she whispered, and his eyes widened as he processed her words.

"You are no longer a Swan," he rasped, pulling her into his arms as well as he could with their hands still bound.

*()*()*

Bella and Edward didn't go back to sleep after the ceremony…they couldn't. Instead they sat at the kitchen table, Bella comfortably held in Edward's arms and spoke of all the things they would do once the baby was born. They both hoped that after the birth, Edward would return to his human form, and be able to eat and sleep again. So they passed those early morning hours, before the sun made its way up from the East, dreaming of a life together.

It was well after dawn when Jasper finally made his way down the steps, looking exhausted.

"How was your first night of parenthood?" Edward asked, trying to keep his face serious. Jasper glared at him as he walked over to the coffee maker, staring at it as if he could wish the machine into action. Bella giggled as she let go of Edward's hand and got up to start the coffee for Jasper.

"Thanks," he rasped, wincing as he went over to the fridge and pulled out the ingredients for an omelet. Bella watched as he struggled to cut the peppers and then added too much milk to the egg mixture. She finally pushed him out of the way when he almost added cinnamon instead of garlic.

"You go sit, I'll do this," she laughed, as he sat down next to Edward. He folded his arms on the table and put his head down on them, asleep almost instantly. Edward looked over at Bella as she whisked the eggs and deftly poured them into the hot pan, anxious for the day that she could feed him.

"Do you think we are ready for parenthood, my love?" he asked, gesturing to the now snoring Jasper. She smiled brilliantly, placing one hand on her belly.

"I believe that we are as prepared as we can be. And there is no baby in history that will be as loved and wanted as our child."

Getting closer to the end…

I have to thank several of you who gave me the idea for the name change…I never even thought of it.

A traditional handfasting would have been performed by a High Priest and High Priestess. I took some liberties with the ritual…but you could do it yourself if you wanted. A handfasting usually lasts for a year and a day, sort of like an engagement period.

Will it work?

We'll have to wait and see!