Thank you all for the congratulations and kind thoughts, they mean a lot to me! I had to laugh that there were a few of you who want an outtake from Emmett and Jake's therapy session regarding masturbation. Sorry folks, patient confidentiality, I can't reveal. (Read that as I'm personally scare of what went on behind closed doors - even my mind isn't that warped!)

This chapter's more fluff than funny but I hope you still enjoy it.

Many thanks to Lolo84 and Capricorn75 for your help with this little story of mine xo


Chapter 28

You know that feeling between dreaming and waking? Where you're not sure if what's happening is real or a figment of your imagination? If you're having a nightmare you try to claw your way out of the darkness to something that's tangible. And if you're dreaming of a sweet memory, like I was right then, you want to be pulled back under and into the moment so you can relive it. I knew I was dreaming and I was more than willing to surrender to the memory.

Bella and I were sitting side-by-side on the edge of our bed with our legs touching. I was in flannel pajama bottoms, bare feet and chest; Bella was in Betty Boop! pj's; fuzzy orange socks on her feet. Funny, that I even remember that fact.

Outside there was a storm brewing, and the wind whipping against the house was making a howling sound. There wasn't rain but you could sense it on the horizon. The weather was tumultuous and it felt like it was resonating in my bones.

I must have checked my watch thirty, maybe forty times during the torturous minutes the test said we had to wait. My knee bounced up and down until Bella put her hand on my knee to still me; we exchanged nervous smiles.

"Is that two minutes?" I asked.

"Close enough. Go check."

"You go check."

Bella shook her head. "I did the peeing, you do the looking."

I wiped my sweaty hands on my legs and went into the bathroom. Bella had left the pregnancy test on the counter and I picked it up and carried it back into our room with nervous hands. Carefully, I pulled off the purple cap and looked at the test.

"Nothing. Isn't there supposed to be a plus or minus sign? There's nothing."

"Edward, that's the part I peed on. You may want to wash you hands." Bella chuckled as she took the test from me. I washed and dried my hands then turned around to see my wife still standing in the same spot holding the test. I couldn't decipher the look on her face.

"Well?"

"It's positive." Her voice was flat, almost monotone.

"Really?"

Bella's eyes lifted to meet mine as she nodded slowly. "Yes, it's positive. It looks like I'm pregnant."

"Wow." It came out as a whisper. Bella and I sat back down on the bed, the test still in her hand. I looked at it again, the positive sign perfectly clear. How I missed that and took off the cap I don't know but I chalk it up to nerves.

It was three months before that Bella had her miscarriage. Seeing the positive on the test was exciting and scary at the same time. The dreaded 'what if' question invaded my head and without voicing it, I knew Bella was thinking the same as me.

What if we lost this baby, too? I wasn't sure my heart could bear to see Bella hurting like that again. Us hurting like that again. Bella reached for my hand and I squeezed it once, twice, three times – our Edward/Bella code for 'I love you'. I smiled at her and opted to not bring up what was on both of our minds.

"Another kid, huh? Shit." I ran my fingers through my hair. "Are we ready for this?"

Bella shrugged. "I thought we were but now I'm scared."

I nodded in agreement. "Me too. We'll be fine, right?"

"Sure we will."

She didn't sound very convincing. We lapsed into silence as we absorbed the news.

"I'm going to need a bigger car." Bella commented.

"And I'm going to need to write more books."

Once more, silence crept in.

"Should we tell Leah and Jake?" I wondered out loud but Bella shook her head and spoke the words that were hanging in the air.

"What if I lose this baby, too?"

"We. What if we lose this baby." I corrected her - no matter what, we were in this together.

"It would be hard to explain to the kids if something happened. We probably shouldn't say anything just yet."

I nodded. "You're right."

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

Bella's words hurt my heart. 'Wait and see'. It would prove to be a difficult time for the two of us - not knowing if we should get our hopes up. Every twinge Bella questioned and I was almost afraid to ask how she was feeling.

Somehow, we made it through and in my dream state, time skipped ahead about four weeks. Bella and I were given an early ultrasound to make sure everything was okay. Even though we had a scheduled appointment, they were running behind. Poor Bella hopped back and forth from one leg to the other trying to hold her pee in. My water jokes were frowned upon and I was threatened several times. When we were finally taken into the exam room, the tech told Bella she had too much urine and handed her a cup with instructions to fill it only half way. Bella gave an Edward-worthy snort.

"It's all or nothin', pal."

Turns out she had great restraint and let out the right amount. During the exam, the tech tortured us by keeping the screen turned away from our eyes and was tight-lipped during the first ten minutes of the ultrasound. Bella and I exchanged nervous glances and I could tell she was holding back tears. Finally, we were given good news.

"Well, it looks like you have a healthy little baby growing inside you." He turned the screen and showed us a viable gestational sac and a tiny, beating heart. Bella and I both failed at holding back tears when we saw the flickering heart on the screen. One hundred and forty-six beautiful beats per minute.

The last time we'd been in the clinic, in the very same room in fact, the news hadn't been so good. The tears we'd shed that day were for the baby we lost. But this day, the tears were of relief and pure joy.

I made the doctor double and triple check that everything was okay. Instead of getting annoyed with me, he was very patient and both Bella and I appreciated the kindness he showed. He gave a reassuring smile as he once again pointed at the screen. It was there in black and white, beating strong and steady. Thump. Thump. Thump. We left the clinic feeling elated and yet stunned at the new little life that was truly growing inside Bella's body. I thought she was amazing before, but right then, Bella was a superstar and I held her close as we walked back to our car.

Carlisle and Esme had graciously offered to keep Leah and Jacob during the appointment and for a few hours afterwards. They told us it was in case we wanted to go out and celebrate the good news but Bella and I both knew the truth. If the news happened to be bad it would give us some time to compose ourselves before we picked them up.

We ended up going home instead of out to celebrate. In our room, we lay down on the bed looking up at the ceiling with matching smiles on our faces.

"I can finally let myself get excited about this." I admitted. "Shit, are you ready for a newborn again?"

I felt Bella shrug beside me. "I don't know. If this one's like Jacob I won't be."

"God wouldn't do that to us." Well, he might do it to me, but certainly not Bella.

"I sure hope not." Bella laughed - it was nice to hear her laughter again. I realized then how taxing the weeks had been on us both.

I turned my head to look at her and drew a finger down her cheek."I love you, you know that?"

"Show me."

I tried to hide my fear and I certainly didn't have the courage to tell her I was scared. What if I hurt her or, worse, the baby? I wasn't sure I could watch my wife go through that pain again. Bella knew me well. Her face softened and she placed her palm against my cheek. Warm and reassuring.

"Edward, you haven't made love to me in over two weeks. I know you're scared – I am too – but the doctor said it's okay."

I rolled over so I was positioned between her legs, my weight on my arms so I wouldn't crush her – or the baby. Frowning, I looked at her with apprehension. Bella nudged me with her words.

"Please, baby. I need you."

It's hard for me to resist Bella at the best of times but add in a pleading voice and beseeching eyes and I was ready to submit. Lifting her shirt, I pressed my lips to her stomach, a baby kiss for my son or daughter.

When I looked up at Bella, she was smiling at me. Her fingertips gently caressed the side of my face. I kissed my way up to her mouth, my lips first covering every inch of her belly that in months would be heavy with child.

Bella crossed her arms in front of her and peeled off her shirt. I gaped at her breasts, literally spilling out of the cups of the pink bra she had on. Lightly, I palmed them. A nod of her head and I cupped them every so gently, mindful of the discomfort she had told me she was feeling. They felt so heavy in my hands, so warm; a perfect fit. I watched Bella's face as I planted feather-light kisses on the exposed skin of her soft, swollen breasts. Her eyes were closed, a smile playing on her lips.

I maneuvered myself so that I could kiss her mouth. Bella and I are no strangers to kissing; we do it a lot. But in that moment, when our tongues collided, I couldn't stop the moan that escaped.

"Baby," I murmured against her lips. "I love you." And by 'baby', I meant her and my unborn child for it was in that moment that I let myself fall in love with her.

In between kisses, Bella assured me she loved me as well. There was never any doubt but it was always nice to hear. We continued to kiss and slowly the layers of clothing were stripped away from our bodies much like the trepidation we'd been feeling. Our clothes mingled on the floor in a happy little mess until we were lying naked, our bodies nestled together. Chest to chest, lips to lips; heart to heart.

As a writer, it's my job to describe the feelings one experiences during sex. Not one descriptive word even comes close to describing the moment Bella and I experienced that day. The best way for me to explain it is that it was a whole out of body experience. We made love slow and sweet; there were no words necessary because we said it all without saying a thing.

Like kissing, Bella and I have made love countless times in our years together. And yet I remember every single detail about our love making that day. Not only the feeling of her wrapped tight around me. It was so much more than that. It was our souls reconnecting.

I took notice of the quiet pinging as the rain hit the bedroom windows in a melodic tone.

The faint smell of Bella's perfume as I trailed my nose against her collarbone.

How soft the cotton of the comforter felt under us.

The feeling of Bella's hands as she played with the hair at the nape of my neck and the sound of her watch- tick-tick-ticking - against my ear in that position.

I remember my hand against her waist, my thumb rubbing the indent of her hipbone.

Our legs touching – hers so incredibly silky smooth against mine.

Her toes that almost tickled as they trailed up and down my calf as I moved above her.

My lips pressed against my name on her body.

Our panting breaths blended together as our mouths made contact again and again.

Looking at the clock on my night stand; the seconds were passing so slowly. I moved in and out of her too many times to count. It may have been five minutes or five hours. Either way, they were some of the most perfect moments of my life.

And I couldn't get close enough; couldn't love her enough.

Our bodies moved in perfect symmetry and not just me into her. Our fingers laced together, our lips would meet or our noses would rub against each other. Words of love and adoration were spoken simultaneously in hoarse voices.

Her body and mine, interwoven in every sense of the word. I felt Bella come undone and I pushed further into her wanting to be swallowed up by her, consumed. And I was – Bella consumed me. She was, and forever will be, my everything.

After I climaxed, I collapsed on top of her, a sheen of sweat covering both our bodies; my head resting on her heaving chest. Even though we'd just connected on a deeper level, my hands reached out to touch any part of her skin to keep the intimacy. With her hands she rubbed my head, fingers knotted in my hair, stroking and scratching from my forehead to my neck and back again. The feeling of her fingers on my scalp was equally as wonderful as making love had been. I could tell by her slow caresses she didn't want the moment to end either.

We stayed in our togetherness for who knows how long. Time was so inconsequential - the moment almost like it were a dream but it wasn't. With our limbs tangled, our fingers traced patterns on exposed skin. I knew I didn't want the moment to end just as I didn't want my dream to end. Thankfully, it didn't. Instead it skipped ahead in time after that and it was now a month or so later.

I see Bella in the living room. Leah and Jacob sit down on the couch as she kneels down in front of them. She was wearing jeans and a loose fitting top. She wasn't quite into maternity wear but her belly was there. If you didn't know she was pregnant, you would have thought she'd put on a few pounds. But I knew what was growing inside her and thought it was sexy as hell.

Never one to sit still, Jacob squirmed on the couch and Bella reassured him she would only take a minute. Before she started to speak, she brushed a stray lock of hair off of Leah's face and smiled at her children.

"We kind of have something important to ask you. Your dad and I were wondering how would you two feel about having a baby brother or sister?"

Two year old Jacob answered first with a very polite "No, fank you," and proceeded to pick his nose. A Kodak moment for sure.

Leah, almost four, understood what Bella was saying and her whole face lit up. The squeal she uttered made me chuckle at the time and I wondered if I laughed in my sleep, too. Leah threw her little arms around her mother and thanked her repeatedly then launched herself into my arms. Jacob, not understanding at all, asked to go play cars; we let him.

"Mommy, Daddy, can we get a girl baby? Please?"

"It doesn't really work that way, sweetie." I smiled at Leah and naively, didn't expect her next question.

"How does it work then?" Leah trained her eyes on me. Why me? I thought to myself. Having me explain a baby was...well it was just a bad idea.

"Yes, Edward, how does it work?"

I playfully glared at my wife and cleared my throat.

"It's very complicated, baby doll."

"I'm four. I think I can follow along."

Her response made Bella and I laugh. She was always so mature.

Here goes nothing, I thought to myself.

"Come here." I patted my lap and my daughter climbed up and settled down against me.

"A baby is what results when two people love each other so much."

"Like you and mommy?"

I smiled. "Yes, exactly like me and mommy. When there's so much love between a mommy and a daddy a new life begins."

"It's that easy?" Innocent eyes looked up at me.

"Actually, it starts out hard but it gets easier." I smirked and Bella smacked my arm and shook her head at my inappropriateness.

"Is it fun? I mean, to make a baby?"

"I think so but maybe you should ask your mother."

Again, Bella shook her head at me before she answered.

"Yes, it's fun."

I beamed. Damn rights it was fun.

"But it's also beautiful, romantic and magical." And that's why the explaining should be left up to the mommy. And how right she was. Leah was satisfied with that answer, hopped off my lap, and skipped off to play. My dream continues throughout Bella's pregnancy but at warp speed - quick flashes of her belly growing bigger. I see my hand on her tummy and can almost feel the kicks against my palm. Clear as day I see myself running to the closest convenience store at three in the morning because somebody needed a cream soda or chocolate pudding. And sometimes Bella had a craving too.

Unfortunately, I also see me making an ass of myself. Shocker, I know.

"How are you feeling?" Alice and Jasper were over for dinner; both girls were about five or so months pregnant.

"I'm okay. Still nauseous every day and have been from day one."

"Have you tried mint tea or seasickness bands?" Alice had morning sickness but it stopped after the first few months.

"I've tried it all." Bella rubbed her belly lovingly. "This one better be worth it."

I grinned. "You know what's worth it? Those boobs!"

I admit - alcohol was consumed that night. It usually is for my finer moments.

"Edward!" Bella chastised me.

"It's true, Bella. Jasper, check out her boobs!"

"Did you really just tell one of your best friends to check out my boobs?"

After all of our years together, and a thousand and one inappropriate comments made by me, the shock in her voice surprised me.

I shrugged. Thankfully, Jasper is as much of a dumbass as me.

"Check out Alice's!"

Rather than be ashamed, Alice thrust her chest out proudly.

"I'm a full B cup now."

"I wish," Bella complained.

"Oh don't sound like that, you love them too. Just a few months ago you called from the maternity store all proud."

"That was before I was showing." She turned to explain to Alice and Jazz. "I knew my breasts were bigger so I went out to buy myself a new bra. The girl in the store asked what size I was and I told her a B, which she laughed at. She proceeded to bring me a D cup instead and I laughed at the absurdity but sure enough, D's they were."

"Bitch." Alice interjected.

"Well, they hurt like a bitch, that's for sure."

It really is a shame that as a man, you have these lovely new play things and can't touch them. It's like dangling candy in front of a newborn and then going all Homer Simpson and saying, "ha ha."

Eventually, though, her boobs didn't hurt and I did get a chance to play. And play I did. I think that was my favorite part of the dream to relive.

Unfortunately, my dream moved away from boobs to the night Bella went into labor.

I was working long hours finishing up a novel so I would have a clean slate for after the baby's arrival. I'd just come to bed after a long and difficult day of working on final edits with Rosalie. Bella was already asleep, nestled in a cocoon of pillows. As my head hit the pillow, Bella stirred and headed for the en suite. I figured it was her hamster bladder and allowed myself to be pulled to sleep.

Unfortunately, it was short lived because a few minutes later, Bella was shaking me awake telling me her water had broken. In my sleep-deprived state, I didn't exactly care.

"I need some sleep, babe. Then we can go to the hospital." I patted her hand as I pulled the blankets up around my neck.

"Nice try, Daddy. My contractions are already close together."

I opened one eye. "How close?"

"Close enough that if we're going to make the trip to the hospital in time, we should probably get going now. I've already called your parents, they will be here in a few minutes."

"Shit!" I jumped out of bed and threw on the clothes I'd taken off only a few minutes before. My shirt was on inside out for the delivery in fact but whatever. By the time we got to the hospital, Bella's contractions were two minutes apart. That could have something to do with the fact that I stopped at a 24 hour Starbucks for a coffee. What? If I was going to make it through the birth I needed the caffeine.

The next scene starts out fuzzy and then my eyes focus on seeing Charlotte being brought into this world. I realize it was fuzzy because I had passed out and woken up right in time to see her debut. The look on Bella's face as the baby was placed on her chest – indescribable.

Bella's voice calling me "Daddy" beckoned me closer so I, too, could meet our baby girl. Little Charlotte, named for her Grandpa Charlie, was about as cute as could be. Her name means free and I know now that it is the perfect name for her for she truly is a free spirit.

With Charlotte in Bella's arms and my arms around both of them, my wife and I stared down at our perfect little girl. There doesn't seam to be words to describe the wholeness of that moment. Until then, I'd thought our family was complete with Leah and Jacob but I was wrong. Having Charlotte join our family simply felt right. Love at first site is not a myth.

"Hi baby girl, I'm your Daddy." My hand cradled her head, my fingers gently stroking her forehead. Charlotte looked up at me with bewilderment in her eyes and blinked a few times, long eyelashes sweeping against her cheeks. Damn it, those lashes had me from day one.

Bella and I had until morning when my parents would bring the big kids to the hospital. The three of us all shared one hospital bed, Char swaddled in a pink blanket, nestled in the crook of my arm and Bella tucked into the other. My two girls slept soundly while my adrenalin or caffeine high kept me wide-awake. I didn't mind. It was nice to have a moment with my girls.

I know there was so much more that happened at the hospital but my dream almost fast-forwards through the memories. It should be confusing but it's not. Char's first bath is a blur as is the memory of Leah and Jacob meeting their sister for the first time.

My dream moves ahead to when we're at home, already settled into a routine. I vividly remember the night my dream is showing me. Bella was desperate for sleep but baby had different plans. After she nursed, I took Charlotte to the living room so the crying wouldn't disturb the rest of the household.

Looking down I see Char, probably six weeks old, give or take a week. So small she still fit into the crook of my arm but big enough that she'd filled my heart with love. She'd finally fallen fast asleep still lightly hiccupping in her slumber. The pale blue sleeper she was wearing – a hand-me-down of Jacob's – was far too big and bagged at her feet. Her tiny fist was grasping my pinkie finger, holding on for dear life.

Believe me, little girl, I thought to myself, the feeling is mutual - I'm never going to let you go.

Charlotte sighed contently in her sleep, almost as if she read my thoughts and was comforted by them.

"Dada?"

I looked over to the doorway and there was Jacob in his own footed pajamas, rubbing his eyes with balled up fists. His dark hair was sticking up in a dozen different directions; the pj's were stretched across his belly, another pair he was soon to outgrow. It was in that moment I realized how much he'd grown since we brought Charlotte home. Jake was always big, but compared to the ten or so pounds in my arms, he was a giant. I remember wondering if his head was abnormally large for his neck.

Reaching a hand out, I call him over.

"Come here, son."

Jacob padded over to where I was with a goofy smile on his face. I helped him climb up and he parked his diaper-clad butt on my lap. I ignored the fact that it was squishy.

"Baby." He pointed his finger into Charlotte's chubby cheek. I redirected his hand to softly pet her head instead.

"Gentle. Yes, baby. She's sleeping. Shhhhh."

Jacob's finger went to his lips, copying me. "Shhhhh. Sweeping."

The three of us sat there for a while. Charlotte still slept despite Jacob's constant chatter and questions. He was thrilled when Char grabbed onto his hand, a wide grin adorned his face.

"Morning, Daddy."

Leah's sweet voice came from the doorway. She was wearing a pink nightie with one of the Disney princesses on it and a crown on her head. Her plastic heeled dress-up shoes made a clicking sound on the hardwood as she came to join us. I shifted Jacob over a bit, making room for big sister.

My hands were full with the three kids and my heart was teeming with love. I remember thinking there was once upon a time where Bella made me so happy I thought I would burst. And then beautiful, sweet Leah was born and life was perfect; couldn't be better. When we were blessed with Jacob, our big-hearted little lug - I had the million-dollar family. A son and a daughter -it doesn't get any better than that. Or so I thought. Charlotte was born and our family of four became more perfect as five.

I smiled at my three bundles of joy and asked Jake and Leah for kisses for their Daddy. Each were happy to oblige me and pecked my cheeks, peppering my face with wet little kisses. It was odd how the memory of those kisses felt so real.

Then I realized the dream was fading; the memories tucked back away as the kisses continued. Lips pressed against my forehead and light kisses bestowed on my temples and down my jaw line until finally there was a mouth covering mine - full, soft, familiar lips. I was totally aware that I was in my bed and Bella was the one kissing me. My dream was my reality. I kept my eyes closed, my lips curved up in a smile I couldn't stop and didn't want to.

I shivered – the good kind - as a light lick followed by kisses found their way along my clavicle. Hands caressed down my abs, following what Bella calls my 'happy trail', disappearing into my boxers. I was definitely awake then, certain parts of me more than others. I kept my eyes closed, but my hands tangled in long, silky hair. Bella murmured an 'I love you' into the air before her mouth was busy doing other, more wicked, things.

As good as it felt I had to stop her after a while. Damn, she had proficient skills. Bella looked up at me and smirked as I beckoned her to me.

"Come here, you."

My beautiful wife crawled up my body, breasts rubbing against my chest as she settled herself on me. We came together and made love that rivaled some of my best memories. Afterwards we took a shower and got ready to face the day – our last day at home before we left for our annual Oregon Coast trip.

Bella and I were sharing the mirror – she applying mascara while I shaved – when she asked about my sleep.

"What were you dreaming of this morning? You chuckled in your sleep and had a smile on your face."

"It was a quick trip down memory lane from when we found out you were pregnant with Charlotte until she was six weeks old. I didn't want the dream to end."

Bella feigned to be offended. "Well, sorry I interrupted."

"You can interrupt my dreams any time, baby." I turned her around and pulled her close to me. I nuzzled her cheek, accidentally smearing shaving cream all over her causing Bella to let out a cute little squeal. That only made me pull her even closer and rub shaving cream over the other side of her face.

"Oh, sorry about that. That was an accident."

"Accident my ass."

That right there was an open invitation for me to grab said ass. Which I did – double-fisting those perfect butt cheeks.

"I do love your ass." My nibbling on her ear was interrupted by a gruff voice behind me.

"My God! You're like teenagers." Jake stood in the doorway of our en-suite with his arms folded across his chest, smirk on his face. "Sorry, I knocked but apparently you didn't hear me."

Bella pushed me away with both hands on my chest then used a washcloth to wipe the shaving cream off her face. I shrugged unapologetically at Jake. A blow-job in the kitchen I could apologize for but a little hanky-panky in my own bathroom? No way.

"What's up, Bud?"

"You left your phone downstairs and Uncle Carlisle called. He wanted to know if you're bringing your golf clubs this trip. Then Uncle Jasper called and wanted to ask if you can bring a blender because theirs broke. And Uncle E. wanted to find out what time we're leaving tomorrow. I should charge you for taking messages." Jacob tossed my phone at me.

"Thanks."

"Uh huh. Hey, I, uh, wanted to ask you guys if it's okay if Nessie comes along to the Oregon Coast?"

Bella and I had a quick wordless glance.

"I don't see why not," Bella answered for the both of us.

"Cool. We have the hot tub house this year right? 'Cause I know there's a pull out couch in one of the bedrooms. I figured she could bunk with Leah or Char."

"I think that would be fine."

"Thanks, Dad. I'll give her a call and let her know. We'll just take her car down so there's room in the truck for your clubs now." He winked at me as he left.

I have to admit, I was proud of Jake for not even suggesting that he and Nessie room together. He may have graduated and she may have been of legal age but he knew I'd never go for that. Leah, on the other hand, had the wrong idea in her pretty little head. It was over breakfast that she casually brought up the taboo subject.

"It's okay that Adam and I get the other room with the queen bed right? I'd prefer not to have to squish onto a double."

"Ha! You're hilarious." I shook my head as I ate my Lucky Charms.

"What's so funny?"

My eyes lifted from my bowl and I answered her with my mouth full, milk dribbling out unattractively.

"You and Adam sharing a room. Funny."

"We're moving in together come September and will be sharing a bed then."

"It's not September is it? Nope, pretty sure it's only July."

"Are you kidding me?" Leah glared at me.

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Mom, please talk to him."

Bella shrugged. "Sorry, Leah, I think Adam is best to stay with his family this year. We already have Nessie staying with us, we don't need two extra bodies in our place."

"I could stay with Paul, if that helps?" Charlotte kindly offered and I snorted.

"Is Nessie staying with Jake?" Leah demanded.

"Actually, she'll stay in the room with the pull out couch." Leah was quiet for a moment.

"Fine, I guess we'll have to sneak around like we always do."

"Perfect."

Leah growled loudly and stomped out of the kitchen. Did she really think that threat was going to make me change my mind? I dated the Police Chief's daughter – I knew all about sneaking around. Bella would say she was at Esme's studying and if Chief called to check on her, Esme would lie and say she was in the bathroom or something. I don't know how it always worked but it did. Then Esme would page me – remember pagers? and Bella would use my phone to call her dad back. Sneaking around was easier back in the day – now there are cell phones and texts that you can reply instantly to.

I certainly don't envy kids who have to sneak around in this day and age.

Awww, for a moment I almost felt sorry for Leah. It passed.

The rest of our day was spent packing up and getting ready for the trip. Who am I kidding? I returned some phone calls, threw some clothes in a duffel bag and called it a day. Bella was the one running around getting everything done. Mind you, I did check the oil and gas up the truck. Oh, and I had a nap – I had a long drive ahead of me the next day and needed to rest up.

Had I any telepathic powers, I would have packed some Valium for the trip. It would turn out to be a doozy.


I hope you enjoyed Edward's trip down memory lane. A reader wished Edward and Bella would have another baby so I thought this was a nice way for the readers to see what it was like for them when Charlotte came to be.

I am now on prescription anti-nausea meds (Woot!Woot!) and managed to write a couple of chapters this past week. So please stay tuned for the fun from the annual McCarty/Cullen/Whitlock Oregon Coast Vacation. I promise there are lots of laughs to come!

Thank you again for continuing to read and review (you will review, won't you? I love chatting with you!)