Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters; they are all property of Stephenie Meyer.

Story Dedication. I said it once and I'll say it again, this story is dedicated to HeartOfDarkess, she rocks. Please take the time to check out her stories…because she is sooo good!

Wow 630 reviews…omg. I am so happy that everyone loves Emmet so much!

I know that I am awful at responding to reviews, but this week is crazy with school ending, and we are getting our kids ready to go away to camp for six weeks! Yee haw!

Will you accept another chapter as an apology?

Chapter 36

Company's coming.

Bella's POV

The next few days passed in an extraordinary calm stretch of time. Esme and Alice kept me busy with color swatches and floral designs, Esme working on a nursery layout, and Alice trying to set up a quick, yet classy wedding. Rose managed to keep Emmett from getting in Edward's way, and she also somehow kept him from acting ridiculous when my father came over, for which I was extremely grateful.

My father had lapsed into a sort of truce with me, he didn't ask for details, and I didn't give them, he was much more uncomfortable with the whole mythical being scenario than I was. I still couldn't put into words what it was that made me so accepting of this strange situation, but I just couldn't bring myself to question what had led me here, to this point. I felt that destiny had led the two of us to one another.

Edward had filled the missing part of my heart, and made me whole when I hadn't even known that something was absent…and I knew that if I ever lost him, I would be incomplete, unfinished and inconsolable. So I didn't worry about what made him what he was, I simply accepted him for who he was…my soul mate.

Early in the week a courier arrived, delivering a plethora of equipment that Carlisle signed for and set up in an upstairs bedroom. Edward and I glanced into the room and saw that it looked like a high class delivery suite, with every piece of possible technology, yet balanced with soft blankets, and warm colors. I had to smile when Edward told me that Esme wouldn't allow Carlisle to turn a room in her house into a bland hospital room, she had standards and that was clearly beneath them.

Carlisle scheduled me for ultrasounds every week, in order to watch the growth of our babies, and to be sure that they were healthy and strong. The lead wolf, Sam, had been keeping in touch with Carlisle, but their talks had been very short and uncomfortable. From what I could understand, the wolves were having some sort of problem within their ranks, but I was not given any extra details on the matter. Nor did I ask for any.

A day before my next ultrasound was scheduled, we received a phone call from Carlisle's friend Elezar, informing us that their family was only hours away from arriving. Once he was off the phone the Cullen's seem to flitter about the house like humming birds, except for Edward who almost never left my side.

The only time I had been able to make Edward leave my side was when someone else sat with me as I slept. He was worried about me, knowing that his absence was hard on me, causing the extreme fatigue that came with our children's distress. I forced him out, arguing that it would be worse if he became too weak to protect the three of us. That seemed to encourage him to race off to hunt, only to run home again to hold me in his arms and to caress me until I woke up once more.

Alice, Rose and Esme all took turns sitting with me when Edward hunted. Alice made lists, as I dozed, and Esme spoke to me softly about what she remembered from being pregnant. But Rose sat so still beside me, simply stroking my brow as I curled up beside her. She told me listening to the babies heartbeats was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard, and she loved just to sit and listen to them grow. Times like this showed me what a softie she was.

When the family heard of their impending company, they set to work, cleaning the already immaculate house, and making sure that rooms were prepared in the lower level of the house to accommodate their guests. Rosalie soon stopped and came to sit with me and Edward, a concerned look etched on her stone features.

I noted the look and asked, " Rose. What's wrong?"

Rosalie looked back at me and her eyes narrowed. I could tell by looking at Edward that she was thinking something that only he could hear. I thoroughly disliked when I was left out of a conversation, and I couldn't help the frown that appeared upon my face. Edward must have seen my displeasure as he sighed deeply and pulled me gently back against his chest, nuzzling his face into my neck and inhaling deeply a few times before speaking up.

"Rose is concerned that Tanya is going to arrive with the rest of the Denali's." He said, his voice sounded tight with irritation. I shifted myself so I could see his face, making sure not to break our physical contact. I glanced at his face which suddenly seemed haggard, then I looked to Rosalie.

"Why, Rose?" I asked curiously. "They are family to you aren't they…why would you be worried about one of them."

"Because Tanya is nothing but a manipulative person, Bella. She is selfish and headstrong and always trying to get her own way. She only ever thinks about herself, and when she gets here, I just know that she is going to start trouble…" Rose grumbled.

I was confused about why this one particular person worried Rose so much, and if it had anything to do with the sour expression on my beloved's face. Before I had a chance to question Rose further, Edward spoke up, his smooth musical tone, washing over my senses.

"Tanya has always tried to get things that she wants…and she has always wanted me. I can't tolerate her, and instead of accepting the fact that I have never desired a relationship with her, she seems to have taken it as a personal challenge. We all expect her to behave inappropriately." Edward said, his voice full of loathing and distaste.

"Well, don't worry too much…if we all know to expect the worse, we will be prepared." I replied confidently. Rose looked at me, her expression guarded, yet disbelieving. Edward didn't look much better. My eyebrows furrowed as I took in their expressions, and I smiled at them, trying to cheer the two of them up.

"Whatever she tries, we will be ready….let's try not to let it ruin our day…alright?" I asked, looking more at Edward than at Rosalie. I placed the palm of my hand against his smooth cheek, and pressed, letting him know that I wanted him to look up at me. Edward's eyes were dark, but his intense gaze softened as his eyes met mine, his gaze was unsure and searching.

"Whatever she does, remember that I am here for you, she can't ruin what we have, so don't let her disturb you too much…" I pleaded softly. Edward's eyes never left mine as I spoke, and my words had barely left my lips before his were crushed against mine in a desperate kiss. I returned his kiss ardently, my lips crushing against his as fiercely as I could manage. The tension finally easing somewhat as Emmett broke in with a cheery comment.

"Sheesh, get a room already, are you trying to make it triplets?"

With that one comment the awkwardness dissipated, and we were our content selves once more. I had however made a decision…whatever this Tanya person might try… I would not allow her to disrupt this family. They were my family, and for some reason she made them uncomfortable. Whatever she tried, I would not play into her hands.

Edward's POV

I couldn't begin to describe to Bella what type of person Tanya was. She was devious, manipulative and conniving. Bella was so sweet and caring that I was sure she could never imagine someone being so underhanded. I spent the next few hours sitting with Bella reading to pass the time until our guests arrived.

I was touched by Rose's concern though, especially since she and Tanya were rather close. But since Bella had arrived Rose's thinking had taken a turn, she was very protective of Bella, seeing her acceptance of us, and the way she dealt with everything that had happened to her had changed Rosalie. Rose was even more protective of the babies Bella carried, always having wanted children of her own, Rose couldn't help feeling connected to these children. They were family, and she was not about to let any harm befall them, nor would the rest of the family.

It wasn't long until we heard the far off sound of a car turning from the highway onto our drive, and the slew of thoughts that came with them. The whole family was excited to visit us, though only Elezar and Carmen knew the real reason behind the visit, I was happy that he had kept his word to Carlisle, not sharing what he knew about the purpose of this visit to the rest of his clan.

I happily let myself stew in this knowledge as the car pulled up to the house. I whispered in Bella's ear that they had arrived, and I heard her heart rate rise slightly in anticipation of her first meeting with the Denali clan. I could hear Tanya's familiar mental timbre in my head, and as usual I tried my best to tune her out, choosing to ignore the way her thoughts were already focused on me. Her mental images made me feel ill.

I heard the quiet whispers from the Denali's as they realized there was a human in our home. They quietly discussed how they should behave, and wondered why we had a human in our presence. It was only when Alice sped out at vampire speed and invited them inside that they began to question what kind of presence the human had here.

Irina was the first to pass over the threshold, and her thoughts reeled as she was hit by Bella's sweet aroma.

Wow…get a load of that small! That would be some sick sort of torture to suffer through …Why is there a human here anyway?

Kate's thoughts were more skeptical.

I hope this human hasn't caused any of our friends to slip…that would be hard to cope with for too long.

Carmen and Elezar knew why there was a human, but their thoughts were still questioning. The only thoughts that barely registered Bella's presence was Tanya's, and her thoughts made me feel unclean.

Phew…that smell almost masks Edward's. I hope he likes this dress. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees how little it covers…maybe after all this time apart he will realize what he has been missing…

She continued off in her own thoughts with a tirade of vivid mental pictures of her being pinned up against a wall by myself as I ravaged her. The very idea was ludicrous and disgusted me. The images of me doing things like that to anyone but Bella was preposterous, Bella was the only one who had ever made me desire such intimate contact.

The family stood to greet the Denali's and I rose wrapping an arm around Bella's shoulders as I greeted them and introduced her. Tanya's eye immediately narrowed as she took in the bodily contact I maintained with Bella. I made sure to give her a special introduction.

"Elezar, Carmen, Irina, Kate and Tanya. I am overjoyed to see you all again. Thank you for coming down to visit with us. Please allow me to introduce you to Bella…My fiancée."

Tanya's eyes almost bulged out of her head as she registered my words. Her eyes quickly traveled to the familiar way Bella and I touched one another, and the jealousy was instant and heated. I saw the moment the mask fell in place, as she tried to hide her feelings, but I didn't care. I wanted everyone to know that Bella was my one and only love, and the sooner it was laid out…the better.

The Denali's came forward one at a time to greet her, save for Tanya who simply stood back and watched. Elezar shook Bella's hand and his eyes widened in shock at the contact. He kept looking at her exclaiming, " Amazing…just simply amazing." While Carmen watched on in amusement.

Irina and Kate quietly questioned whether Bella was aware of what we were, but I cut them off quickly by answering aloud that Bella was indeed aware that we were all vampires, allowing them to act normally. Tanya seemed to have a sudden mental lapse, and she threw herself at me in front of the whole family.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and she pressed her body against mine suggestively as she spoke.

"Edward. I have missed our times together so much…when will we be able to have some alone time so I can show you how much I missed you?" She asked far louder than was necessary. I removed her arms, far from gently and pushed her roughly away from me. Bella moved herself in front of me a soon as Tanya was a foot away, and the look on her face was highly un-like her usual gentle demeanor.

"I am not sure that you heard Edward, Tanya." Bella spoke up, her sweet voice raised in determination. I slid my hands around her waist settling them on her hips to keep her close. "But I am Bella, Edward's fiancée. I would kindly ask you not to proposition him…ever again." She murmured agitatedly.

Tanya looked at Bella and laughed as the rest of her family looked on warily. Their thoughts made it very clear that they were uncomfortable and ashamed by her actions.

"Well, Edward…" Tanya purred, looking at Bella as if she were something dirty on the floor. "I see you finally decided to try your hand as an incubus…the role doesn't become you though. You're supposed to love them and leave them. Don't think your guilt means you have to marry her. Please let me know when you are done with this child, and are ready to take a real woman to your bed. Though I must admit…I am impressed that you didn't break her…It took me many times before a human pet was able to walk away from my bed still living…Unless of course you haven't even tried yet…I do hope she doesn't disappoint you completely….?" She finished eyeing Bella disdainfully.

Bella's calm demeanor was gone completely now, she stepped closer to Tanya, and I moved with her, knowing that if our connection was broken, she might exhaust herself. I could feel the electricity between us snapping with power, and Bella's shoulder set themselves as if she were a boxer entering a ring.

"A real woman?...What a joke." Bella barked with laughter. "You have made it pretty obvious that you wouldn't know a real woman if she slapped you in the face. Do you want to see one? Then turn around because I see seven of them standing around you as we speak, and each one of them is out shining you like the sun. A real woman has grace, and integrity, something that I see you are thoroughly lacking…not to mention tact! It is no wonder Edward never chose you…" Bella finished harshly.

Tanya was looking at her fully now, her eyes not bothering to cloak the rage she felt within. She stepped closer to Bella, her face so close to hers that I would have expected Bella to cringe away, but she didn't.

"What exactly is it that you like Edward? Is it her brown hair, or her brown doe eyes? Does it make you feel like you are hunting when you take her? Do you like the fact that she is so breakable…or the fact that she will grow old and die before long so you won't have to deal with her for very long. Do you like her warmth? I bet that is it...you like the fact that she makes you feel human. But I bet that you don't like the fact that you can never be yourself with her, you can never give in to your carnal desires and have your way with her the way you desire." She taunted Bella.

I pulled Bella gently aside, and turned to face Tanya myself. If Bella could face her, than I could do the same. "Yes, Tanya, Bella is warm…but it is not her blood that makes her that way, she is giving, caring, loving all of those things that make me desire her, to be with her…to marry her…to make her mine in every sense of the word. She has given me more than anyone else ever could. If Bella wishes to grow old, then I will respect that, and I will sit by her side until her last dying breath, but if she wishes to be with me forever, I will change her, for there is nothing I would like more than to spend every day of forever with her." I growled at her

"Are you that petty, that you can't even graciously admit defeat when you see the happiness that we share? The love we have. I hope for your sake that you find love somewhere, because until you do you will be stuck as a bitter, manipulative harpy…never belonging to anyone." I seethed at her.

Tanya looked as if she had been struck in the face. She stepped away from my tirade and looked at me, her eyes unwavering in their gaze.

"Why didn't you choose me?" Tanya asked softly. " I offered myself to you so many times. What can she give you that I cannot, Edward… What?"

I shook my head before responding to her. "It's not one thing, Tanya. She offers everything without even trying. Maybe if you stopped to look at the couples around us, you would see that they all offer one another many things, with no strings attached. Love, compassion, understanding, devotion, support. Bella offers me all of these without my even asking her too, she was made for me…and she has given me everything…" I said

"Including children." Bella said gazing at Tanya, her eyes much softer now as she saw Tanya's discomfort. Tanya's eyes widened and she looked between our faces, as if to see if Bella had spoken truly. I let one of my hands slip down over her abdomen, as if to shelter our children from Tanya's probing eyes. Tanya's eyes narrowed and she looked at Bella's stomach and stared at it in silence.

We all stood as everyone focused on the soft thumping sounds emanating from deep inside Bella's womb. The shock from everyone was audible as they inhaled sharply or even gasped. Tanya's eyes rose to Bella's face as she listened.

"Impossible!" She hissed at Bella. "Vampires cannot have children. How dare you deceive him into thinking so." Tanya raised her hand as if to strike at Bella. I moved myself to intercept Tanya's hand, but even at vampire speed something happened before I could do so.

Tanya seemed to be struck from nowhere, throwing her across the room into the stone fireplace, shattering it on contact. I felt a small, but alarmingly bright flare of what seemed to be anger or fear through Jasper's gift and a flare of unfamiliar color through my own, both vanishing in an instant. Irina and Kate ran to help Tanya. While everyone one else looked around in confusion…save one person , Elezar. Elezar stood looking at Bella, his eyes looking her over from head to toe and back again as he once again softly uttered the word amazing. I turned to him, trying to gauge his thoughts.

"What is amazing, Elezar?" Carlisle and I asked in unison, both of us confused.

"The child…er, actually the children." He gasped in excitement. "Who did you think did that to Tanya?"

Thank you all for reading. I hope you will continue reading along!

Please feel free to check out the story isle of Enchantment, a story co-written by HeartOfDarkess and myself.

Jennifer