Beta'd by the beautiful Dollybigmomma

The last chance to donate for Fandom 4 Autism is on Sept. 1st. With 32 authors contributing it is totally worth your $10 for the compilation. My donated one shot is over 20,000 word alone. The compilation will be ready on Sept. 7th.

Chapter 55 – Spawn

Edward

On our way out of the doctor's office, we ran into Marcus. "You're expecting, how exciting. Do you know if you're having a boy or a girl?" he asked, as I settled Bella into the car.

"We're having twins, a boy and a girl, our second set," I announced proudly.

"And you're doing well?" he asked the loaded question discreetly.

"I have Bella, so everything is perfect," I answered honestly. Her presence, her touch, had always brought a peaceful buzz to my body.

"I'm so pleased to hear that, Edward. I hope you keep me posted on the progress of your little family. Of course, if you don't, I'm sure Carlisle will," he joked.

"He's a proud grandpa. Would you like to see the ultrasound pictures?" I couldn't help showing off my kids.

"I'd love to see them." He wasn't just saying that to be polite, either. He studied each picture carefully. "Do you have any pictures of your other children?"

"Yes." I happily pulled out the one I had of the pair in my wallet.

"Fascinating, your son definitely takes after you, and I can see your daughter takes after her mother. It's like they split the genes, taking from only one parent each," he said with an amused and excited gleam in his eyes.

"That's what Bella says, too. I'm excited to see what these two look like," I said holding up my ultrasound pictures. I couldn't wait for my new babies to arrive.

We came home from the doctor's office, excited for so many reasons. First, Bella got to walk out of the doctor's office on her own two feet. I was ready to do a happy dance, as was she, but I encouraged her to just settle for doing one mentally, since she had been off her feet for so long. I didn't want her to tempt fate. She was still supposed to take it easy and not lift anything, but she could walk around.

When we pulled into the driveway, Elizabeth came running out the front door, stamping her foot like the little princess she was, hand planted firmly on her hip. I knew I was going to regret spoiling her someday, but I just couldn't stop. She was my little princess.

"Daddy," she said in her adorable appalled voice, "Masen said my baby was crocolily. I didn't feed my baby broccoli, so how could it be crocolily! He's just being mean and was trying to steal the batteries from my Little Baby Wah-Wah doll, so he could put them in his ROBOT!" she finished indignantly with another foot stomp.

I bit my lip so I wouldn't laugh. Masen had been coming up with ailments for her dolls lately, and I was surprised how complete his knowledge was. "Did he say colicky?" I asked trying to be completely serious. I was in save the baby doll doctor mode.

Of course, she rolled her eyes at me, because she knew everything. "She can't lick anything, Daddy," she huffed, and this time Bella snickered a little.

Elizabeth glared, because this was serious business.
"Tell Masen there are batteries in the bottom drawer of my desk, and dad said good diagnosis, but to leave your dolls alone."

She put her doll on her shoulder and spun around, whipping her hair behind her, as she marched back into the house.

As soon as she was out of earshot, I burst out laughing, and even Bella giggled a little.

"My heavens, she's going to be such a handful," Bella said laughing.

Then she stopped suddenly and grabbed her belly.

I jumped in front of her, grabbing her shoulders. "Bella, are you okay?"

She grinned at me. "They moved, I mean really moved. I think you might be able to feel it."

I had yet to feel our babies move. She was just getting past the fluttery stage to the tapping stage. I just missed them tapping twice already. I lifted Bella up and ran with her into the house, and up to our bedroom, pushing her shirt up out of the way as if examining her. I placed a hand on either side of her stomach and waited.

Of course, just then, the center of her belly popped up, and she started laughing. "I think they're teasing you."

I moved my hand to where the first baby had kicked, when the other one kicked where my hand had just been, and Bella started laughing harder.

I moved my hand back to where it had been and pressed my face to Bella's tummy for a kiss. "Come on, little ones, say hi to daddy," I pleaded.

I felt a firm kick on my nose, and Bella burst out laughing. I smiled. I felt my little ones' thump, even if it was on my nose. I kissed Bella's belly again and pulled down her shirt.

"Thank you," I kissed her softly.

I wanted to thank her for everything she had given me. The twins, these babies, and her heart, I loved her more than anything in the world.

I pulled her into my lap and rubbed her belly. "You know I'm over the moon excited for these babies. I want them to be healthy and happy, and you know they'll definitely be loved."

Bella smiled widely and then began kissing me hungrily, and it was hard to slow down. I hopped up, kicking the door shut and locking it. I had her down on the bed and was almost inside her, when there was a knock at the door.

"Daddy!" It was Masen's voice, damn it. I had talked to him about not disturbing us when the door was closed.

"Door's closed, Son," I said trying not to sound mad.

"I know, Dad, but someone is at the door," he explained.

I bolted off the bed. "You didn't answer it did you?" I snapped. He had better not have opened the door to a stranger.

"No, Dad, I didn't. But Elizabeth waved to him through the window, so he knows we're home."

"Okay, buddy, just yell that I'm coming to get the door." I was yanking the shirt over my head. I was still nervous about having strangers around my kids.

I noticed Bella was moving as fast as her body would let her.

"I'm sorry, honey," I said to her, as I headed to the door.

She rolled her eyes and smiled. "Later, now go and check on the kids," she shooed me.

Thank goodness she understood my overprotective tendencies.

I flew down the stair to the front door. Both of my kids were pasted to the front window, waving wildly.

"It's Uncle Jack!" Masen said jumping on the couch.

Jack had taken to popping in anytime he was on this side of the country. It was actually nice to see him, and the kids loved him.

I opened the door, and the kids attacked him.

He let out a deep hearty laugh and carried them in. Demetri and Garrett followed. I found out later that they were also his bodyguards, not just his pilots. Apparently, Jack was even more loaded than Carlisle, by leaps and bounds.

I hugged Jack and offered him a drink.

Bella came in and hugged Demetri and Garrett. "How are you, boys?"

She always called them boys; even though I was pretty sure they were both older than her.

"Good, Ma'am, thank you for asking," Garrett spoke, taking off his hat, and Demetri jumped up out of his chair to offer it to her, but she waved him off and sat in my lap.

Definitely my favorite spot for her to be.

The kids were busy talking Jack's ears off, and Elizabeth was sitting in his lap, tattling on Masen like usual.

I heard him whisper to Masen, "Must have it tough with this one, boy. What you gonna do with two of them?"

Masen just shook his head seriously in response. "I don't know, I really don't know."

Poor guy sounded a little defeated.

"Well, now, you'll just have to come visit me in Texas when they get to be too much for you," Jack winked at him. Masen, of course, was ready to jump on the plane right then.

I held on tight to Bella. I could feel her body stiffen at the thought of one of the kids being out of our sight. Forget about out of state. I think Jack noticed my grip on her and winked at us.

"Of course, you may want to bring your mom and dad, too. You know, just in case the horses make you nervous."

"HORSES?" Elizabeth was suddenly very interested. "Like those that pull a princess carriage?" she asked excited.

"Why yes, little darlin', I even have a princess carriage. I guess you better come along, too, so I have a princess to ride in it," he said smiling.

"Oh, can we, Momma? Can we? We have to go, Daddy! I can't be a princess if I don't ride in the carriage to the ball!" Masen just rolled his eyes.

"Honey, there isn't a ball," Bella tried to settle her down.

Of course, Jack was no help. "Demetri, didn't you hear there was a ball?" Jack winked at him.

"Oh, yes indeed, Sir, there's a ball. I think it might even need a princess, too," he encouraged the game, smiling at Elizabeth.

"Well, then it's settled. There's a ball without a princess, and we have a princess here. You really must come to Texas with us and have a ball," Jack said to Elizabeth.

She clapped her hands excitedly, "When do we leave?"

Jack looked up at us, waiting for an answer. Truth was, nothing was keeping us here for the moment. Bella was still allowed to travel.

I looked at Bella pleadingly. I really wanted to try my hand at being a cowboy.

She rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Well, Jack, we're ready to visit when you are."

He clapped his hands and shouted, "Yee haw! Let's get this show on the road!"

Demetri made the changes to the passenger list, and Bella helped Elizabeth pack. Jack helped Masen pack, and I packed for Bella and me. Garrett helped me carry the bags out to the limo, and I sent a quick text to Esme that we were going to Texas to visit with Jack.

Jack noticed Bella's old pickup in the driveway. It was in perfect condition now that Masen was done with it. Jake had even gotten it repainted a nice pearl gray for her in keeping with the Gray Ghost name and hooked her up with a sweet chrome package.

"Nice ride you have there," Jack commented to me.

Masen spoke up. "Thanks, it took me a couple of months to get it fixed up, but now it runs perfect."

Jack raised an eyebrow at Masen. He knew I was gifted, but this was the first he had been made aware of it in Masen. I think he may have suspected though.

I cleared my throat, and Bella smiled. "No bragging, Masen, you did a beautiful job on the Gray Ghost. Don't make Jack nervous."

"He did it himself? I mean, you helped, right?" Jack asked me.

I scratched the back of my neck, thinking about lying, but Masen was looking up at me. "No, I didn't, he got the manuals from his mom, and Bella's friend, Jake, has a garage with the tools."

"Oh, so Jake helped him fix it," Jack said a little relieved.

Masen screwed up his face in a pout. "He did not. Well, sometimes if I couldn't get a bolt loose, but then he showed me how to use the impact wrench, and I didn't need his help anymore."

Bella put her arm around Masen. "Okay, honey," she kissed Masen's forehead and looked him in the eye, conveying some sort of message. He seemed to understand, nodding in return and ran to hop in the car.

Jack stood back with me, as the rest of my family filed into the car. "I know you've got an amazingly good brain in your head, Son. I've seen it work. I just have to ask. Did your boy get it, too?" he asked nodding to Bella's truck.

I looked around nervously. Jack had been nothing but good to our family. I felt I could trust him. "Yes, he did, even more so than me."

"What about the girl?"

"No, she's just a perfect little princess," I smiled.

Jack almost seemed relieved and laughed. "Boy, howdy, I bet you have your hands full with them two."

I laughed. "Oh, we do. Her old truck was just a project Bella gave him to keep him busy. He gets bored fast, and when he's bored, he usually finds trouble."

"By golly, that's amazing. Now that he's done with this project, what's he working on?"

"I gave him a few robot kits he's experimenting with right now."

"Amazing, truly amazing," Jack said smiling, as he climbed into the car. He winked at Masen and whispered, "Very nice job."

Masen sat up a little straighter, very proud that his work had been recognized. I made a mental note to praise him more for his work.

"So, you picked names for the beanstalks you're growing?" Jack asked Bella.

She looked over at me nervously. "No, not yet."

"Edward, do you know your birth father's name?" Jack asked.

I just cleared my throat and shook my head no. I didn't know my birth fathers name. He wasn't the man that was with my mother when she rescued me when I was kidnapped. I wasn't sure how he was related to me, but he wasn't someone I would name my kids after. I had yet to mention to Bella that Jack might have known my mother.

I felt Bella's hand run through my hair. She did that anytime I was tense. She must have sensed it now. I tried to push the memories of that man out of my head. "We have time, so there's no rush to pick names right now."

"Yes, yes, of course," Jack said. "You know, we're going to have to get you a princess ball gown, Elizabeth. Can't go to a ball without one," he said changing the subject, and I was thankful for the distraction.

Chapter 56 – Imposters

Bella

Jack's estate was amazing. We were driving on it for a good twenty minutes before we reached his house. The place was massive. We were sent to the east wing of the house and given the second floor. I had to say, it was a house within a house, complete in itself with a full kitchen, utility room, living and dining spaces, and bedrooms with luxury baths worthy of any five-star resort. I couldn't wait to sneak off and explore. I could just imagine the massive library hidden in this building somewhere.

Edward and Masen were taken out to the stables, after being outfitted in authentic cowboy gear. Edward really seemed to be enjoying himself. Jack had seamstresses come and take our measurements to make proper ball gowns. I didn't know what it was about my family that had him so interested in us, but Edward seemed to be hiding something when it came to that.

There seemed to be something between Edward and Jack that was important, yet I was missing it. I wondered if he could be some sort of distant relative. I decided to ask Edward about it later. I knew he didn't like to talk about his birth family, but there was more to what was going on here than I was privy to, and it was making me edgy.

Edward

Demetri was showing Masen around. They pulled out a Shetland pony that was just the right size for him. Jack seemed pleased to see Masen having a good time. I saw the size of the horses they had for me to ride and decided to pass. Who knew horses were so freaking huge. Garrett offered me a Shetland pony, too, but I think he was just joking, so I passed.

Jack came and stood next to me as we watched Garrett lead Masen's pony around the corral.

"That boy looks just like you. I guess he's like you in more than one way." Jack seemed to be fishing for something.

"Yes, sometimes I think he's a little replica of me, but then I'm happy that he has Bella. He didn't have to lose anyone, and he has lots of family that loves him and looks out for him."

"You have people that look out for you, too," Jack said sincerely and patted me on the back. "I have something in my office I want to show you."

He headed back toward the house. I waved to Garrett and he let me know that he had Masen. I followed after Jack. I felt safe here at this place.

We walked into his office and he pulled open a desk drawer with files. "After I saw you at the airport and then we talked, I decided to look into your family a little more. I hope you don't mind."

I didn't know what to say.

"I just wanted to know if your mom was my Elizabeth. I had to know, so I looked her up. I want to show you something first."

He left the file untouched on the desk and pulled a high school yearbook off his shelf. He opened it to a page that he had marked with a ribbon.

"Does this look like your mother?" He pointed to a picture that looked very much like my mother. My green eyes and copper hair stared back at me with a wide smile. She looked so young and carefree. I cleared my throat and nodded my head yes.

That was my mother.

Jack flipped to the middle of the book. There was a picture of them at a dance together. His arms were around her waist and she was laughing as he pulled a face at the camera.

"We were young. She was beautiful as you can see. It was easy to get lost in her. I would do anything to hear her laugh."

He cleared his throat and tapped the file on his desk. "There are some pictures of the scene in here. I won't show them to you. I'm sure you have a perfect recollection of what happened that night. I wanted to tell you I'm truly sorry for your lost. I don't know what happened after she disappeared from college. I always worried something was wrong. I saw that it was her brother that was accused of killing her."

"Brother?" I always suspected we had been related.

"Yes, her brother." He flipped a few pages in his yearbook and there he was, but his hair was blonde, not black like I always remembered it. He had no black mustache. I looked at his name. Edmund Harper. I flipped back to my mother's picture. Her name was Elizabeth Harper. It didn't make sense. She named me Edward Masen. She and her, I guess brother, went by Masen while I was with them.

"Edmund Harper was my uncle," I muttered in disbelief.

"I think there's something else going on here. Something that maybe they didn't want anyone to know about." Jack sat looking at me for a long moment before he spoke again.

"Edward, I don't believe your Uncle Edmund killed your mother. I knew him very well. He loved her dearly. Doted on her like Masen does Elizabeth. I believe he was framed and someone is trying to hide something here by pinning her murder on him. He was a good man. He would never have hurt her that way."

I couldn't listen to this, this wasn't right. Everything I remembered, could not be a lie. I didn't know what to think.

The images of my mother's blood covered body flashed before me.

My uncle leaning over her covered in blood.

Him crying hysterically and shouting for me not to look.

The police running in and grabbing him.

It was all very clear in my horribly gifted mind. At the moment, though, it felt more like a curse. Some things were best forgotten.

"I'm sorry, I was just a child, I can't help you," I said and quickly left before he could ask me any more questions. I couldn't think about this right now. I needed to get it off my mind, stop the images playing in my head.

I needed my Bella.