Chapter Thirty-Five

Manny is back at home with us after spending almost a week with Billy, per his request. My sweet boy is getting big and growing up so quickly. He is talking more and more and it is clear as day with his large vocabulary that he picks up with Reneesme when she reads to him. I take the laundry out to the back patio to hang to dry and to close the windows to the enclosed area to keep the heat in here. Jasper is with Matthew in the library to get the hang of the family business Matthew and I picked up from what our mother created a years back. The business was becoming successful with the rise in our real estate business, our party planning business, and our rental properties being booked for many vacations around around the world for people. I recently made the decision to start building hotels near our biggest rental places near the large tourist places and it is starting to take off as we advertise the new hotels and are getting reservations before the building is finished. The company was small and is now spanned out to many aspects of the business world. I smile at the thought of Jasper and I visiting our properties with our children and living the life of the rich people, that I never got to have but will not forget. Manny comes out onto the patio and he plants his happy but in one of the chairs at the table while I put the clothes on the clothes line to dry.

"Mama, when I get older can I marry Reneesme?" Manny asks. I freeze and then take a moment to process what he just asked me.

"Mi amore, why are you asking that?" I ask, while attempting to get back to putting the clothes up.

"Because you and papa got married because you love each other, so I wanna marry Reneesme when we get older because I love her and she loves me," Manny says. I turn to my little boy to see his drawing something in a little notebook.

"Baby, marriage does not go that way. It is for grown ups and it only when you and another person really loves you," I say with a smile. Manny looks up at me with his beautiful green eyes and blinks in confusion.

"But, that is the same thing as what I said," Manny says. I go to sit next to my sweet boy and I caress his face with my hands.

"Emanuel, you have time to find the girl of your dreams and when you find her, you will know she is the one the moment your eyes meet. It happened with me and papa and I know it will happen for you, sweetie. Just wait a few years and become a big strong boy first before you start looking for your dream girl. Mama needs some time to adjust to you growing up so quickly," I say happily. Manny smiles and gives me a hug before kissing my cheek. I stand back up and go back to putting the laundry up. Jasper comes out to join us and he looks tired. He walks over to put his arms around my waist from behind me and he rubs my tummy gently.

"As much as I love you and your brother, I am not sure I am cut out for managing that business on my own," Jasper whispers into my ear. I smile and I turn to look at him over my shoulder. Jasper kisses my shoulder and then he kisses my lips softly.

"He is lovely when he is trying to get you to understand the world of business," I say with a small tease. Jasper chuckles and kisses me more with his hands on our lovely twins. The babies move around and I wince a little. "Is it almost time for them to come out yet?"

"Almost, baby, they need more time," Jasper says. We look down at my tummy and I smile. Manny comes over to show us a picture of him and his brother and sister. We smile at the picture and then let the babies see. Manny smiles widely as he looks at my tummy to see if his siblings like the picture and he kisses his siblings when they move around happily again. We stand as a family with Jasper holding me in his arms and Manny kissing my tummy happily.

Jasper rubs my back before bed later that night and I clutch the pillow I am holding against my front. My whimpers are soft as Jasper continues to work his magic. I grip the pillow more when one of the babies kicks a little too hard, sending my pain nerves spiraling a bit. Jasper stops and he kisses my shoulders softly while moving to pull me into his lap to caress my tummy.

"We should call Carlisle if you are in so much pain right now," Jasper says.

"No, this is not the start of labour. It is just the babies getting situated," I whimper. My head falls back against Jasper's shoulder and I take deep breathes.

"Marinna, I know you have given birth before, but this time it is much different and you are having two. Please let me call Carlisle," Jasper pleas. I shake my head and then whimper as I try to keep from curling up in a ball. Jasper growls and that makes me move away and leave the room to take a walk. I stand in the bathroom in front of the sink and I stare at myself. My face is much paler then a week ago and my body looks like I have been starving myself. I do not spend much time in front of the mirror since being a stay at home mom makes me busy with house work, running errands, and helping Manny with his little schoolwork that he insisted he do. I look down at my large tummy and wince when I see that it is the only thing looking healthy on me right now. My little nightgown is a simple baby blue cotton slip and it makes me look even worse. A numbing pain runs down my back and I grip the edge of the sink. It is then I realise why it had happened, a rush of water ran down my legs and pooled at my feet. I stare in horror at the water at my feet and take deep breathes before screaming.

"Jasper! Jasper!" I panic. Jasper is in the bathroom in seconds and I look at him. "Call Carlisle, please. Please get him over here."

"Oh my god!" Jasper says and then runs to get his phone. I am frozen by the sink as I feel the first contraction hit me slowly and makes me shake a little. Jasper comes back with the phone against his ear and he helps me to the bed to lay down for a moment. Being the kind and caring man he is, Jasper puts a pillow between my legs once I am on my side and he massages my back to ease the pain. I hear the sound of Carlisle's voice on the phone and it sounds like they are running.

"Where is he?" I manage to ask.

"Edward and Bella are closer and will be here first. Carlisle and Esme were out hunting so they are coming as fast they can," Jasper says softly. He kisses my back and I purr a little.

"It is too early. Oh god, please make this not end horribly," I whisper.

"Never, baby, everything is going to be alright," Jasper says. The doorbell rings and Jasper goes to answer the door. Within seconds, Bella is sitting on the edge of the bed before me.

"Hey, mama," Bella giggles. I smile at her and take one of her hands in mine. "You are going to be okay. Reneesme is keeping an eye on Manny and she is going to sleep in his room. Edward and Jasper are getting a few things we think we may need. Just relax and take deep breathes. I think that is how it supposed to go."

"Yeah, that is how a normal birthing is supposed to go," I giggle and then regret it seconds later. Jasper comes back upstairs and he smiles as he puts some things in the room for when Carlisle arrives.