A/N: Just a quick little note before we get to it. It's been brought to our attention that in regards to the legal terminology of custody and such, sometimes we have worded things wrong. We just ask that you guys keep in mind that although we do try and research stuff online, neither Holly nor I are lawyers or have ever been through custodial legal proceedings, so we do the best we can…but for all intents and purposes…just remember this is make believe. Kthanx!

A special thanks to our wonderful beta, Dolphin62598. She is just awesome!

We know the last few chapters have been rough, so this one's for you all. Don't ever say we don't love you!

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight.


I believe in us - nothin' else could ever mean so much
You're the one I trust our time has come - we're not two people
Now we are one - ya you're second to none
Forever - we will be
Together - a family
The more I get to know ya - nothin' can compare
With all of my heart - ya know I'll always be right there

I'll Always Be Right There ~ Bryan Adams


*Bella*

The sound of the doorbell woke me from a little snooze I was taking on the couch in the living room. I must have fallen asleep while watching the Food Network again. I had always loved watching that channel, but lately with my voracious appetite, it was just about the only station I watched. It gave me such great ideas on what I should cook for dinner, but it made my cravings more exotic. Just last week, while watching a show that focused on avocadoes, I began to crave guacamole…well really anything avocado related.

I was supposed to be hanging with my family today, but Edward stole the girls and took them out with him alone today. He had said he wanted to spend quality time with his little women and that no mommies were allowed. I couldn't help but laugh, kiss him passionately, and send the three of them on their way. When I asked where he was going, he just smiled and replied, "Oh…here, there, and everywhere." If he wasn't so freaking gorgeous with that slanted smirk of his planted firmly on his face, I would have punched him in the gut, wiseass that he was. I loved it.

Getting up as fast as I could without any sudden movements because my stomach was still unsettling, I shuffled over to open the door, but not before looking through the peephole to see who it was.

Alice! She was back. I missed my friend so much.

As soon as I swung the door back, leaving my friend's face in full view, we both instinctively flew into each other's arms like lost lovers. Immediately, we broke out in fits of laughter, clinging onto one another as though our lives depended on it. With my arms wrapped around Alice, I pulled her back inside the penthouse as she pushed the door closed with her foot.

We finally untangled our arms from one another and plopped down on the couch, facing each other ready to talk.

"Alice, it's so great to see you. How was New York City?"

"Oh, Bells…I had a blast. I mean it was a lot of work meeting with different designers, speaking about what my clients were requesting, going to little boutiques and fashion shows," she gushed, a huge smile gracing her face.

"Man, Alice, you must have been in hell the entire time," I deadpanned, knowing full well that even though it was true that she was most likely very busy, Alice loved her line of work and never minded the pressure of it all.

Throwing her head back in laughter, Alice responded. "Yeah, I suppose you are right. I was in such hell; I didn't want to come back! But I would, ya know…come back because I can't live without you, Jasper, or Rose. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to either one of you, or Elyse."

"Aw, thanks, the feeling is mutual," I smiled warmly, patting her knee with my hand.

Alice took her hand in mine and squeezed it, almost a little too tightly. Her facial expression turned serious as quick as a flash. Tears swelled in her eyes, which made my heart clench at the sight of her face showing such pain.

"What's the matter, hun?" I tilted my head in question. I hated to see any of my loved ones hurting the way she clearly was.

Swiping some stray tears from her cheeks, she began to explain. "When Jasper called me last night to fill me in on what went on with Elyse, I nearly left my hotel with just my pajamas on, ready to leave my bags behind. I was so fucking scared that asshole, James kidnapped her, Bells. I swear I would have hunted him down and killed him myself! Mark my words, Bella, you are like a sister to me. I may be all cutesy and frilly on the outside, but I'm like a caged animal ready to pounce at any given moment when someone messes with my family." If her tone didn't sound so venomous, I would have chuckled, because Alice was well, Alice…and she really wouldn't harm a fly. However, the way she was tearing up and the look on her face proved me wrong.

"Well, you are going to have to take a number and go to the back of the "I'm Gonna Kill James" line because it's getting rather lengthy. Thankfully, James wasn't planning on doing anything of the sort with Elyse, but he did do something almost equally unforgivable…he introduced Elyse to his parents." I cringed at the thought of those despicable people hugging and kissing my daughter, making such a fuss over her. I didn't want them anywhere near her.

"What? What a dick! He knew you never wanted them to meet Elyse!" Alice was just as furious as I was. Even now my heart rate was speeding up by just recalling the events of last night, but I had to keep my stress level to a bare minimum because of the little peanuts in my belly. I rubbed my abdomen to give my little ones some reassurance.

"Tell me about it. But it was extremely scary having to go through any part of what went down last night. I was afraid Jasper was going to kill James…and don't get me started on how Rose was about to pounce on his ass like some wild animal. Thankfully, she reined her temper in enough to take the girls back into the diner and feed them some ice cream. I can't, Alice. I cannot take anymore of this James shit. And now with his parents coming into the picture, I'm scared they are going to try to do something to me." I shook my head in disgust. I fucking hated the Aros with every last breath that I had.

"Sweetie, no one, and I mean no one will ever let anything happen to you or Elyse. You have Edward, his brothers, me, Rose, and now the Cullens. Please, girl, Esme is like a one woman army. She's a fierce mama bear."

Letting out a little giggle, I remembered how Esme had confronted Irina that one time in the bathroom. That was some classic stuff in the making that night. "Oh, I definitely know that."

We talked a little more about the James ordeal, telling her about how wonderful Edward was and how worried and upset he was over it. I had explained how I agreed to see Jenks, Jasper's colleague and a close friend of Carlisle's. She agreed that it was a good idea that I at least talk to a family law lawyer who can guide me in the right direction. I mean I did have full custody of Elyse, but I wasn't sure what James could end up doing and I needed to be more educated on the topic and make sure he couldn't start any trouble or anything.

I was also telling her about the night my car broke down and how Jasper came to my rescue and was my hero. Her face emulated Edward's concerned expression. She said the same thing as Jasper about how I should just try to trade in my car for one that actually runs on a more consistent basis, telling me that if I asked Edward to help me she was sure he would in a heartbeat. I knew he would, we were a couple and love each other. Edward would do anything for me, but I still had mild stubbornness when it came to asking Edward for a lump sum of money. I will eventually have to get a new, bigger car anyway, with the twins coming and all, but all in due time.

As our conversation was winding down, Alice was scanning the living room as I returned my attention towards the television. Alice casually got up and made her way across the room towards the fireplace mantle, where she stopped in front of the framed pictures of the girls we had recently put up there.

"I've never seen this picture of Elyse before. How freaking cute is she with her little white short sleeved shirt, little grey vest, and black tie. Are those…" she took a closer look at the pic, "are those little skull and crossbones on her vest?"

"Mmm hmm. She picked that outfit out herself. I had gotten that shirt set on sale at the mall months ago and Elyse really wanted to wear it on school picture day."

My friend whipped around, hands firmly placed on her hips. "You never gave me her new school picture! You know how much I like getting them each year. And this one takes the cake with her badass little outfit she's rocking."

"Alright, don't get your panties in a twist, Al. I know how much you love her pics. I will go get one now," I stated, shaking my head and smiling, making my way to the kitchen drawer where the extra photos were. Alice was borderline obsessed with always getting a new school picture of Elyse every year. It's not really a real school photo, but the daycare hires a photographer to take individual and class photos of the toddlers and the pre-schoolers every September.

"Bella, I always get two photos…remember? I guess the pregnancy is slowly sucking the memory from you," she laughed.

"Wiseass. Yeah, I remember…one wallet size and one five by seven. And why is that by the way? Not that I mind of course, but I've never seen all of Elyse's photos displayed around your house. I mean, I know you have pictures of Kate and Elyse around, but not really her school ones, so why do you always want a big photo?" I gave her a questioning look as I handed her Elyse's pictures. I was always curious as to why she wanted two but never asked until now.

"Uh, well…that's because I have some of her five by sevens in a frame on the shelf in my office. I guess you never really noticed the few times you had actually seen my office," she sputtered out quickly, going to her purse and putting the pictures away.

"Ah, I see," I shrugged.

Just as Alice was about to speak, the door to the penthouse opened and in came my two sweet girls, Edward, Jasper and some man I had never met before. The girls came running over to me, of course to say "hi" to their babies, not to me. They got on either side of me, placing their small hands on my tummy as they began rubbing up and down softly. Their noses were pressed against me as they began to coo and speak in hushed whispers.

"Hewwo, my baby gul. How's it going in there? Are you afwaid of the dawk in my mommy tummy?" Elyse asked.

"Yeah, my baby girl number two," Katie began, "Are you keeping Elyse's baby company and telling her that it's okay if she is scared of the dark?"

"Momma?" my daughter looked up at me, her little chin resting on my stomach, "the babies awight?"

I couldn't help but ruffle her long curls and laugh. "Yes, Sweet Pea, the babies are just fine."

"Phew…that's a relief," Katie huffed dramatically, before placing a kiss on my belly.

They were adorable. The girls were convinced that I was having two girls, and they had become even more protective of them than Edward had. It was hysterical to witness these little whispered interactions they would have with the little peanuts. Edward and I didn't want to find out what we were having, but the girls desperately wanted to confirm that they were indeed getting two girls.

Edward came right up to me, standing behind the girls, giving me a sweet kiss on the lips. "Hey, Baby. Did you have a nice day?"

"Yeah, but I missed my family," I said in a cute voice, jutting out my lower lip in mock sadness.

"Aw, well, we're home now. Besides, these peanuts kept you company…and apparently Alice, too. Hey Alice, how was your trip?" Edward patted my stomach and gave Alice a hello kiss on the cheek.

"Fabulous as always," Alice smiled.

"Um, Edward…who is that gentleman with Japser by the front door," I whispered in his ear so no one else could hear me.

"Oh, that's Jenks. He's the guy I had wanted you to speak with about what was going on with James. He and Jasper were playing basketball for some lawyer league they are on. Since Jasper was apparently meeting Alice here, he asked Jenks to come on up. I ran into them while waiting for the elevator. Come meet him."

He called Jenks over and introduced us. I noticed that he was glancing at the girls and I immediately assumed that he didn't want them to hear anything, which I completely agreed with. I asked Alice to take the girls into the playroom and keep them occupied until we were done talking. Alice took them right away, as Jasper and Jenks sat on one couch, while Edward and I occupied the other. Edward grabbed hold of my hand and placed it on his lap, his thumb traveling in soothing circles. He always knew how to calm me down, because I was nervous as fuck.

Jasper sat up a bit and began to speak to me. "Okay, Bells, I have filled Jenks in on what has been going down with James. I explained a little of your history with James, him signing his custody away, as well as the recent events that have occurred. He knows that James was in rehab for alcoholism twice and how he is on the straight and narrow path now."

"Bella," Jenks turned his attention to me. "I want you to know that what Jasper told me was strictly off the record, and since we are close, he confided in me as a mentor, not as a retainable lawyer."

"Sure, I don't mind," I nodded.

Jenks then began to explain Washington's law on custody and divorce. He wanted to inform me of my rights as Elyse's sole provider and primary caregiver. Edward sat, listening intently, but he never once asked a question or threw in his opinion. He had always said he would support me in any way, but he knew that when it came to Elyse, I was the one who would make the decisions as I saw fit right now, so I should be the one who should ask the questions. I never respected Edward so much than in that moment.

"So, I apologize if I am repeating things your lawyer must have told you three years ago."

"Well, actually no…he never told me any of the things you are saying. I didn't have the best attorney because I didn't have a lot of money at the time," I stated, feeling so stupid and embarrassed. My face felt so hot, I felt like I was being prosecuted for something.

"That's okay, dear. Well, I'm explaining it to you now, and you won't have to pay me if this thing ever goes to court. The Cullens are good people and since I'm sure you will be a Cullen one day then you're good people, too," he laughed.

"Wait…what do you mean 'if this thing ever goes to court?'" My ears perked up at that statement, causing me to sit up straight and lean towards him.

"See, even though James signed away custody, it was because he had to because he was deemed unfit due to his bouts with alcoholism and entering rehab at the time you went through the divorce proceedings. He wouldn't have been able to have any sort of visitation, so he had no choice but to sign his rights to your daughter away. And his parents put him up to it out of saving face and the family name, correct?"

"Yes," I nodded. "Please, go on."

"Well, James was obviously not of sound mind at the time, but Jasper here tells me he cleaned up his act and has been sober for quite a while now. What your crap lawyer failed to inform you, Bella, is that in cases of divorce and custody, about every fifteen or so months, either parent can reopen the custody case to change it."

"Uh, I don't understand," I said truthfully, turning and glancing at Edward whose face was beet red. He was holding in is anger. He gave me a small smile. My heart began to pound in my ears as tiny beads of sweat were forming along my hairline on my forehead. I turned to face Jenks again.

"It means that since James has no legal rights to Elyse as a parent, he can take you to court and fight for custody. He could petition the court to gain joint custody rights, where Elyse would live in both this household and in James' and share in the responsibility of raising her, making all decisions pertaining to Elyse together with you. He could also fight for sole physical custody of your daughter, which basically means that Elyse would live with him all the time, making you the one with visitation rights to Elyse instead of him."

"What? Over my dead body would that ever happen! James isn't going to take my baby away from me…ever!" I shrieked, my blood pressure skyrocketing. I had to remain calm for my babies, but I couldn't help it. This was some frightening news I was getting. "James was in rehab…twice, for Christ's sake!"

"Shh, it's okay, Sweetheart. We will figure something out with Jenks. I promise James will never take away Elyse," Edward said in a calm tone…much too calm for my liking.

Tears began welling at the surface as my voice started to shake, "But, Edward, you don't understand…this isn't even about me being fearful that he would get full custody, because even I know that is not likely to happen, but just the thought that after all this time of having her full time, he could now request to have her live with him half of the time is too much for me to even comprehend. Maybe if that was the arrangement we had from the beginning, and he hadn't been an alcoholic, I would be more accepting of it, but how am I going to just send her to live somewhere else half of the time after I have had her with me all the time for almost four years? I…I just…just don't get it."

Jenks started to explain again, but his face showed remorse as he fed me more disturbingly bad news. "I'm so sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but James has a pretty strong case here if he's been exploring custody options. Yes, he was in rehab, but he can now prove that he has remained clean and sober. His sponsor would be able to vouch for that, and his girlfriend who lives with him, as well.

"He has his own residence, comes from a wealthy family who can support him, and he has a cushy job working for his father. He will never be in jeopardy of losing his job, nor will he ever be starving for money. He can show his rehab records of the doctors that monitored his improvement. This James has a case…and a pretty good chance of gaining back his custodial rights over Elyse. And like you stated earlier, Bella, although I don't think he would have a real case in gaining full custody of her, it isn't necessarily totally out of the question that he would go that route. There usually has to be extreme circumstances for a judge to remove a child from the custody of its mother, but that doesn't mean that joint custody wouldn't be a traumatic change for both you and Elyse after years of her being used to just being with you."

I buried my face in my hands, my shoulders shaking a little from the crying. It was like I couldn't stop, the tears wouldn't allow me to, as they flowed freely down my face. The extra hormones racing through my body didn't help matters, either. Edward was gripping me tightly and rubbing my arms. I turned to hug him with the little strength I had left and buried my face in his neck. I wanted to just crawl inside him if that were possible.

"Gosh, I am really sorry, guys," Jenks stated forlornly. "I hate giving out news like this, but you need to be prepared for the worst. And if that ever happens, I am going to be there to take your case and make sure that bastard, because he sounds like a real asshole, won't ever get full custody of Elyse. I can't promise the judge won't give him joint custody or restore his visitation rights at least, but I can try my hardest to make sure that Elyse will not be taken away from this family in this house."

"Thanks, Jenks. Jasper and I, and of course my father, knew we could count on you," I heard Edward's words vibrate against my body.

I still couldn't look up, I was too upset. But it wasn't Jenks' fault. He was just informing me of the law…and the law really sucked big time right now.

~oOOo~

I woke up to the smell of eggs and bacon permeating the air. It was so potent; it felt as though I was actually in the kitchen. No really…my mouth was watering at the scent of bacon, like I would taste it with every intake of breath. I was in heaven and I never wanted to wake up. I may have even smiled at the thought.

"Bella," a child's voice whispered, a light breeze fanning my face.

"Momma," a second whisper chimed in, another light breeze ticking my ear.

Someone's hands decided to move my hair over to one shoulder, leaving the side of my neck exposed. Those same hands began to gently graze along my exposed skin, causing my skin to prickle with delight. Only one person can make my hair on my skin stand at attention.

"Time to get up, Baby," the most melodious, deep voice huskily whispered against my neck, lips beginning to leave a trail of feather light kisses up to my ear.

"Mmmm," I hummed, enjoying the delicious torture. I was starting to get highly aroused it wasn't even funny, but knew the girls were in the room.

Lying on my side, half of my face smashed against a pillow, I opened my one eye as it met a pair of eyes staring intently in my face.

"Morning, Sweet Pea," I mumbled to my daughter.

"Momma, we made bweakfast! Get up!"

"Please, Bella. We have a big surprise for you today!" Katie clapped.

"Shh, Kate, we not suppost to tell my momma anyfing about it," Elyse chided her best friend.

"Uh, why don't you girls go into the kitchen and we will be right there," Edward shooed them away awfully quickly, it had me wondering.

I turned to my other side to face my gorgeous man, who was fully dressed. Edward was resting on his side, propping himself up with his elbow. I swear I had to pinch myself everyday because I still could not believe that I was having twins and living with this man…this centerfold. Of course, he must have been reading my mind as a wide smile spread across his face.

"What?" I chuckled.

"Nothing. Just thinking is all," he shrugged, leaning down to kiss my neck again.

"You know, you really need to stop doing that because I am horny as hell with all this touching and whatnot. I'm about to climb right on top of you and start doing my business," I winked, moving my knee to graze against his crotch…which was growing hard.

I went to sit up so I could go to the bathroom and then join the girls for breakfast. Edward grabbed my waist and began to pull me against him.

"Bella, you cannot say something hot like that and then try to leave me alone in this bed…with a hard on," he moaned.

"Well, that's what you get for getting me hot and bothered while two little girls are mere inches from my face," I laughed. "Seriously, though, I have to pee." I shot out of the bed and quickly strode to the bathroom. "Don't mess with a pregnant woman who has to pee…ever."

A few minutes later, upon entering the kitchen I noticed Elyse and Katie fussing over something that was by the front door.

"What are you two doing?" I asked, as I started towards them.

"Nothing!" they shouted as they came running up to me, pushing me to my seat at the dining room table.

Edward finally came in and we sat around the table. The girls and Edward had gone all out for breakfast. It was sort of a tradition that Edward had started with the girls every Sunday morning, and now that I was pregnant and slowly getting my appetite back, I was more than happy to reap the benefits. I helped myself to some bacon and scrambled eggs. "So what's the plan for today?" I asked as I took a bite of toast.

Edward set down his cup of coffee, and after glancing quickly at the girls, looked towards me. "Aren't you meeting with my mom, Rosalie and Alice to try on bridesmaid dresses for Rose's wedding?" he asked.

"Oh, that's right," I said as I scrunched my nose, "I totally forgot."

Edward laughed. "What's with the face?"

"Oh, I don't know. I'm just not in the mood to try on clothes these days."

"Bella, don't be ridiculous, you can barely even tell you're pregnant yet."

"I know, but by the time Rosalie's wedding rolls around in September I'm going to be seven months pregnant…with twins! I'm gonna look like a house!"

"Bella, you aren't going to look like a house, you are going to look gorgeous."

"Psssh, please…you have to say that since you're the one who knocked me up," I responded as I rolled my eyes.

"What does knocked up mean, Bella?" Katie asked

Edward almost chocked on his coffee as he tried to not laugh. I really needed to work on my verbal filter since lately I was all over the place hormonally and seemed to just blurt out the most inappropriate things.

"Oh…uh…nothing. I gotta go get ready to meet the ladies," I said as I tried to distract the conversation away from explaining what getting knocked up meant to a three and four year old.

oOOo

I had just finished getting ready to go and meet the girls when I realized that I had no car to get there. My car was still at the mechanics and Rosalie was having breakfast with her mother before we all met up at the bridal shop, so I couldn't catch a ride with her.

"Edward?" I called out as I walked out of our bedroom and down the hallway towards the living room.

"Yeah?" he said as he stood from where he was sitting on the couch with the girls watching a movie.

"Would you be able to drive me to the bridal shop? I forgot that I don't have my car back yet," I said.

"Oh…well…here," he said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys, "just take my car. The girls and I are going to hang out here today, so I won't need it."

"Are you sure?" I asked softly.

"Yes, of course I'm sure," he told me.

"Okay, sorry that I'm leaving you without transportation. If you need it at all just give me a call and I'll bring it back to you right away. Hopefully whatever is wrong with my car will be a quick fix," I told him.

"Bella?"

"Yes?"

"Don't worry about it. Go have fun with the ladies."

After I said goodbye to Edward and the girls I made my way down to the parking garage beneath the building. When I stepped out of the elevator I walked towards Edward's car. I was halfway there when I stopped. "Shit! Someone else is parked in his spot!" I bitched out loud.

But then I furrowed my brows since that didn't make any sense. Edward had driven his car yesterday and would have told me if someone else was in his spot when he got home. I walked closer and finally saw that next to his spot, in the place where I usually parked, was an identical SUV as the one in Edward's spot that had been backed in and had a huge red bow on the front.

I stood there baffled, not sure as to what was going on, when I heard three voices behind me yell out "Surprise!"

I turned around and saw Edward, Katie and Elyse walking towards me. The girls were on either side of him, holding his hand, bopping up and down, while Edward looked a little nervous. "Do you like it?" he asked cautiously.

"I'm so confused," I said.

"I got you a new car…well…actually I got us both new cars. You're car is not worth putting money into anymore, and I want to feel comfortable knowing you are safe and not getting stranded in a dark and empty parking lot. Plus, we will both need something bigger once the babies come, which is why I got rid of my Volvo and got an SUV for myself as well," he responded in a really nervous tone.

I turned back slowly to face the cars, finally realizing that they were matching Infinity SUVs, his in black and mine, the one with the bow, in silver. I didn't know much about cars but I knew that Infinity was a luxury brand, a car that I could never afford. But before I opened my mouth and let my stupid insecurities ruin a moment where he had done something nice for me, I took a deep breath. "It's beautiful," I said.

"So…you aren't mad?" he asked as he walked up beside me.

I shook my head no. I was determined to work on my stuff, especially after the talk we had in the bathtub two nights ago, and I knew he was right. I couldn't rely on my car any longer since I was responsible for getting the girls back and forth from daycare, and for the fact that I was pregnant. Plus there would be no room in either of our old cars for the girls and two car seats. I felt tears slip down my cheek before I turned towards him, smiled, and threw my arms around his neck.

"Thank you!" I said.

I felt him let out a sigh of relief and wrap his arms around me. "No, Baby, thank you," he whispered in my ear. "I know you aren't fully comfortable with this yet but I appreciate you just accepting it and not fighting me on it."

I pulled back slightly so I could look into his eyes. "I know I'm stubborn sometimes," I said, "but I also know that you're right and I have to put the safety of the girls and the peanuts first."

He smiled before leaning down to kiss me. "Okay, good, but you better get going if you are going to make it to the appointment."

"Oh! Right!" I said.

Edward walked over to the front of the car and removed the bow, and then opened the back door so the girls could climb in and look around while he gave me a brief tour of all the new options in my car. If I thought the outside was gorgeous, then the inside was spectacular. It was all light tan and leather, the front and middle row of seats were bucket seats, while the third row was a bench seat. There were even little monitors in the backs of each of the seats so the kids could watch videos. But the best part…the part that nearly caused me to climb over the center console and straddle Edward…was the fact that I had heated seats! He laughed at me when I kept telling him how I always wanted a car with an ass warmer.

"Only you would get a seventy-five thousand dollar car with all the bells and whistles and be excited over the ass warmer," he joked before looking at me with shock when he realized what he just said to me.

I looked at him with wide eyes, but took a deep, cleansing breath. "Okay, I'm just going to pretend that I didn't just hear you say seventy-five thousand dollars, and am going to leave before I'm even more late than I already am."

Edward smiled and leaned over the console towards me. "Thanks, Baby. Have fun driving your new car, and be careful…I have a lot of precious cargo traveling in here today."

I kissed him. "I love you, Edward…and thank you so much for this. I really mean it."

He climbed out of the car and gathered the girls with him. "Do me a favor, Bella," he said.

"Anything," I replied.

"Just give me a call before you head home so I know when to expect you. I'll…uh…have dinner ready," he said in a nervous stutter that I didn't understand.

"Yeah, sure," I told him.

"Thanks," he said.

I wasn't sure why he still sounded nervous, but thinking about it I could only imagine how on edge Edward must have been waiting for my reaction to the new car. He must still be feeling the residual effects of that. I glanced back in the rearview mirror as I drove out of the garage and saw Edward and the girls standing there waving.

*Edward*

As soon as Bella pulled out of the garage, I looked down at the girls and smiled. "Well that went well, huh? Mommy seems to have liked her car."

"Yup, Daddy," Katie assured me.

"Bootiful, My Edverd," Elyse said.

I chuckled before reaching down and taking both their hands. "Okay, Monkeys, let's head back upstairs so we can put together part two of mommy's surprise. We don't have much time."

They both squealed, and with that the three of us turned and made our way back towards the elevator.

*Bella*

The day of shopping with Esme, Rosalie, Alice, and Rose's mother, Carmen, was actually a lot of fun. We tried on dresses and even got to see Rosalie try on the dress that she had picked out a few weeks ago when she and her mother went shopping by themselves. She of course looked stunning even though it was the sample dress that didn't exactly fit her since the one she ordered wouldn't be in until a few weeks before the wedding.

Alice and I were allowed to decide what dress we wanted as bridesmaids, and bless Alice's heart when she found something that was made of a light, flowy chiffon material that would be flattering on me even when I was as big as a house.

After we were done, all the women insisted they follow me out to my car so they could see what Edward had gotten for me. Of course, they had all been in on it, and helped Edward pick something that they knew I would not only like, but would also be practical for our expanding family.

I was a little thrown off when Esme and Carmen, who had always been like a second mother to me along with Alice's mother, started to cry and hugged me when I said I needed to head home.

"We're just so happy for you two," Esme whispered in my ear before letting go of me so I could hug everyone else goodbye.

When I noticed that Alice and Rosalie were also crying, my hormonal ass started crying too. "Geez guys, it's just a car," I said through teary laughter.

"Oh…right," Alice said as she hugged me, "but it's just things like this that make us know that you are finally where you belong and deserve to be in life, and we just want you to remember how much we think you deserve all this happiness."

She was staring at me with such intensity that I had to finally look away. "Okay, shoo, all of you. You can't be so mushy and sentimental around me when I'm all hormonal. I swear, the other day I cried when Ina Garten made the most delicious looking chocolate cake on The Food Network, so it obviously doesn't take much to make me blubber like a fool these days," I laughed as I wiped away the tears from my eyes.

I got into the car and called Edward like I had promised, letting him know I was on my way home. It was just about five o'clock, and although the days were getting longer, the sun was starting to set.

I got back to the condo and carefully parked my new car next to Edward's. When I got out I looked through the window into his car. It was exactly the same inside as mine except for the fact that the interior was a light gray color.

I made my way up the elevator feeling a little tired from being out all day, but otherwise feeling good. The periods of time in between me feeling nauseous was getting longer and longer, and while I knew that would mean I was going to start putting on weight faster, it also allowed me to function better throughout the day.

I got to the door of our condo and let myself in. I was surprised to find the place very quiet and no lights on in the kitchen. I thought the reason that Edward wanted me to call him before I left was because he would be getting dinner ready…and my ass was hungry…but it was obvious that wasn't the case; unless maybe he took the girls and walked up the block to pick up some takeout.

"Hello?" I called out.

"We're in here," Edward called back from the direction of the bedrooms.

I hung up my coat and walked down the hall. I passed Elyse and Katie's rooms but didn't see anyone in there so I figured they were in our bedroom, but before I got to the end of the hall where our door was, I noticed a glowing light coming from the guest bedroom.

When I finally reached the door and looked inside I was shocked at the sight in front of me. Firstly, all of the furniture that had been in the room for guests was now gone, leaving the room completely empty, but even more shocking than that was the fact that there were literally candles everywhere. What appeared to be at least a hundred votive candles were placed all around the floor and mixed among the flickering lights were vases of roses, as well as rose petals scattered about.

But what was the absolute best thing about the scene in front of me was Edward standing there in a suit while Katie and Elyse stood on either side of him, holding his hands, wearing pretty little dresses.

"What's all this?" I asked in a voice so shocked and soft that I wasn't even sure anyone could hear.

Edward let go of the girl's hands and whispered something to them that I couldn't hear before he walked towards me. When he reached me he pulled me further into the room before he began to speak. "When I was in Chicago this past week I had time to think about all the steps I wanted to take to not only prepare us for the babies, but to also prepare us for becoming a family.

"The car was the first step in making sure we were better prepared for the additions we will be welcoming in November," he said. "Then I asked my brothers and father to help me clear out this room so that you had a blank canvas to work from in order to prepare the nursery of your dreams; so that was the second step," he said as he reached out and took my hand. "The last and final step, Bella, is to tell you how much I love you, and how grateful I am every single day that you and Elyse have come into Katie and I's lives. Every morning that I wake up, and every night that I go to sleep, I can't believe how lucky I am."

I stood there shocked and totally unable to form a coherent thought since so much was running through my head. For the umpteenth time today I started to feel the tears well up in my eyes as I saw Edward turn around and signal for the girls to come closer to where we were standing. As soon as they were on either side of Edward, Katie reached out and handed Edward a flat, square, velvet box.

"Bella, as much as this moment is about the two of us, it is also about our family, which is why I wanted the girls here." He reached out and took my left hand. "I want us to be a real family, and not just because we have the babies on the way, but because we have so much already that I am unwilling to live without…ever."

And with that I watched as Edward got down on one knee. My free hand flew up to cover my mouth as I became overwhelmed with emotion.

"Isabella Marie Swan, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?"

I watched as he opened the lid of the box and inside I saw the most beautiful ring, and on either side of it were small delicate necklaces that had little charms that hung from them that were exact little replicas of the ring.

He placed the box on the floor and took just the ring out before taking my hand again and looked nervously back up at me through his lashes.

I took in the scene before me, the candles, the flowers, Katie and Elyse before my eyes locked back on Edward.

"Yes!" I exclaimed before I sank down to my knees and threw my arms around his neck.

He hugged me to him tightly and we stayed like that for a moment before we heard the giggles coming from the girls. Edward pulled back slightly, took my left hand in his again, and slid the ring on my finger. I then watched as he picked the box up off the floor, removed the necklaces from the case, and started putting them on each of the girls. "I got the necklaces," he said as he finished clasping Elyse's on her, "to represent that us getting married isn't just binding you and I together, but it is also binding us all together."

The tears were spilling out of my eyes and I don't think I had ever been happier in my entire life. Everyone in my life that mattered most were in this room right now sharing this moment with me; Edward, Elyse, Katie, and even the babies. All the pain and fear I had gone through over the last few years flew out the window and none of it mattered one iota anymore. I would gladly go through each one of those hard days again if it meant that I would end up right here, right now, surrounded by the people in my life who were direct results of every step I took in the journey that was my life so far.

I finally realized why it all had to happen the way it did, and with that realization…I finally felt strong, I felt confident, and most importantly I felt loved.

*Edward*

She said yes!


A/N: Let's say it all together…awwww! Isn't our Edward so sweet? Our beta calls him Perfectward, and we tend to agree. But before you all get depressed because you want a guy in your lives who is like him, just remember…he was created in the mind of two women...nuff said.

If you'd like to see a picture of the car that Edward got for Bella and himself then use this link. Replace (dot) with and actual period. i195(dot)photobucket(dot)com/albums/z55/PaulineAH/Decorated%20images/Infiniti(dot)jpg

So as always let us know what you think and enjoy the rest of your weekends! Oh...and Happy Mother's Day to all you mommas out there!

Pauline & Holly
xoxo

Story Rec- A Quiet Fire by Magnolia822. This story was rec'd to me this past week by my two Twilighted Thread gals, Lux123 and NKubie, and it is totally owning me. It's such a good story line and really well written. And best part...she just posted the epilogue this week so you don't have to wait for updates.

www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/6431421/