Throughout the next couple weeks, Alec and I seemed to adjust to parenthood pretty well. Both kids were adjusting to their new surroundings, too. They were sleeping through the night now and even starting to show a little personality.

Aro and Sulpicia were taking the kids for the night- they really loved those kids- so Alec and I could hunt and have some time together. We decided to take the four and a half hour- well, really only a little over two hours with Alec driving- trip to Capua.

"They should be ok for tonight. Everything they need is in the bag. Call if you need anything." I told Aro before we left.

Alec and I got in the car and started driving, our speed nearing 130 in my Bugatti Veyron. It was rare anymore that we got to drive either of our sports cars because we usually had the kids with us. We had purchased a 4runner as the 'family vehicle'. I missed my car. I missed the speed.

My driving speed increased since I became a vampire. Before learning of vampires, I never sped, simply because my father was a police chief and I was always taught to abide by the law. After meeting Edward and his crazy driving habits, I got used to the speed, but I didn't dare go the speeds that he was going. I would be dead by now if that happened. After becoming a vampire, slowly I started to drive faster knowing that I had better coordination and I was likely to live if I ever got in a wreck.

Alec slowed down as we entered the city. He turned onto a side road and drove for a few miles until we were near the mountains and we would have to run the rest of the way. We ran together and went our separate ways one we got into the mountains to hunt. I got a small deer and an elk. My thirst was quenched and I met Alec at the car an hour later. Both of our eyes had returned to the golden color.

"Get anything good?" I asked.

"Yeah. A grizzly and a mountain lion. What did you get?"

"Deer and an elk. Nothing fun, really."

He chuckled. "Always looking for something dangerous. You ready to go?"

"Yes."

We were driving back home, chatting. "Your birthday is in a few days, Bella."

"Yeah, so."

"What do you want?"

"Alec, you aren't getting me anything. I already explained this to you. We got the kids. That's enough of a present as it is. I don't want anything. And I don't want anything bad to happen, like last year."

"Bell, you were human then. Something was bound to happen to you. I only knew your human self for a week and I even knew that. In one week how many times had you tripped? A lot. More than the average human, I'm sure. Edward can probably testify to that. I was surprised that you are as graceful as you are, even as a vampire. You're getting a birthday present whether you like it or not. It's your first birthday here."

"When's your birthday?"

"December eleventh."

"I missed it last year?"

"It's no big deal. We don't really celebrate birthdays unless it's for the kids. We just do something small for the rest of us."

"What do you want for your birthday?"

"I think me and a few of the guys were going to go skiing or something. We haven't really talked about it. If you want to make a big deal out of this, why don't you wait a few years when Jane and I turn 600."

"I'm only turning 19. It's not that important. And I stopped aging at 18, so it shouldn't count."

"Whatever. I'm still getting you something."

Two days later, the night before my birthday, I was getting ready to leave for the castle for my regular ten p.m. to eight a.m. shift. I slipped on a white, ruffled dress and some boots. I put on my wedding ring and another ring. After applying a bit of makeup, grabbed my keys.

"I'm leaving." I walked into Emma's room where Alec was getting her ready for bed. Jordan was lying on the floor beside them.

"Ok. Can you run to the store tomorrow after your shift? We're running low on diapers and wipes."

"Yeah, I will. I talked to the Cullens while you were gone. They asked if it would be ok that they visit us next week."

"What did you tell them?"

"I said that it would be fine. They'll be here Tuesday afternoon."

"Ok. I love you."

"Love you too," I said giving him a pack on the lips. "Love you both." I gave Emma and Jordan a kiss and left.

At the stroke of midnight, there was a chorus of 'happy birthday, Bella' throughout the entire castle. I didn't want the attention, but I knew that I shouldn't ask for that because it wouldn't happen. I asked for no presents, but Jane refused that wish and shoved a neatly wrapped box in my face as I was just walking into the throne room.

"Happy birthday, Bella."

"Jane, I asked for no gifts."

"I know, but a birthday is no fun without them. Come on, open it, please. It's nothing big, I promise."

I tore the paper off and saw that it was an entire outfit: pants, shirt, shoes and some jewelry.

"Thanks, Jane. I really like it."

"You're welcome." she smiled and went to her place.

"Bella, dear," Aro was approaching me. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you, father."

"I can't believe that it's almost been a year since you have joined us already. You have grown so much maturity and power wise. And we can't wait to see how you continue to grow in the years to come. Nineteen, is it?"

"Yes. Nineteen."

"Well, I'm sure that we can look forward to more from you as a vampire."

"I can assure you that you won't be disappointed."

I grabbed my headset from Gianna who also wished me a happy birthday. I had a feeling I would be receiving these all night. Felix stopped me as I was going into the throne room.

"Hey, Bella, you want to help execute someone for your birthday?"

"What did they do?"

"They were trying to create a newborn army."

"A newborn army?" I asked. "What is that?"

"Oh, Bella." he said as he put his arm around my shoulder and started walking downstairs. "A newborn army is an army of new vampires. First stages of life, totally uncontrollable. Very conspicuous when they are let loose."

"I see. I don't think that I really want to help with that just yet, Felix."

"It's ok. You can just tend to the fire."

"Ok. I'll tend to the fire, but I won't participate in any killing part."

The smile on his face grew as he led me into the cells. The vampire hadn't been here for long. Only a few weeks, I think. Just enough time to cause him to weaken enough that he didn't fight Felix and Heidi as they took him out of the cell and forced him to stay in one spot.

I looked away as they started to disassemble the vampire, keeping my eyes locked on the burning fire in front of me. Heidi started throwing pieces at me and I threw them in, closing my eyes. They left and I stayed. I wasn't supposed to leave until the fire died down some and completely burned the vampire. When it did, I put water on it so that it would stop. I was glad to be out of that room.

My shift was over. I grabbed my gift from Jane out of my old room and headed out. I made a quick stop at the store on the way home to get the things that Alec said that we needed.

When I got home, the car was gone and I knew that Alec had taken the kids to the doctor for their appointment. I walked into the kitchen and saw a bouquet of white roses sitting on the counter. There was a card with it that read; Happy birthday, Momma. Love, Daddy, Emma, and Jordan.

I had a wide smile on my face when I read the card. I heard a car door shut and went outside to help Alec. I grabbed one car seat and he grabbed the other.

"Thank you for the flowers." I said as we walked in.

"Good. You saw them. Happy birthday." he said with a kiss on the cheek. "I have something else to give you later."

"I hope you didn't spend too much on me."

"Bella, no amount of money is ever going to be too small for you. You are worth every penny of it. And I think that you will like the thing that I got you."

"Can I have a hint?"

"No. I'll give it to you after we put the kids down for a nap later."

The rest of the day was spent as usual. Feeding the kids, changing diapers and the other normal stuff. Alec left for his shifts for a few hours and came back after the kids were asleep. I was lying in bed, reading my book when he got home.

"I have your present for you." he said as he slid into bed with me. He pulled out a long, rectangular box with a green ribbon wrapped around it.

When I opened it, I saw a necklace on a silver cahin. On it were two crystal hearts, one pink and the other blue. It was a twin necklace, obviously to represent Jordan and Emma. "It's beautiful."

"Just like you. Here, turn around." he said taking the box. He put the necklace on and I looked in the mirror.

"Thanks you, Alec. I love it so much."

"You're welcome."