No excuses...we have had a rough few months...both of us. We hope you enjoy and know we would never give up this story, but sorry for the wait! Hope you all enjoyed BD Part 2! Happy New Year!

And thank you to our beta dolphin62598! We love her for realz!

Holly & Pauline
xoxo

*BPOV*

September. The month that never ceases to spark change, whether it be Fall slowly starting to swallow Summer, leaving only the memory of BBQ's and ocean breezes. It marks the time of year most children dread…the start of a new school year, dredging up cruel words like homework and tests. It means that the days will become shorter as the night sky creeps in a lot earlier. It represents one of the most important days in my parent's life…my birthday.

Usually I looked forward to the month of September because I had always enjoyed celebrating my birthday. Of course, I wasn't one who particularly liked being the center of attention, but I kind of always made a teeny exception to my "fly under the radar" rule. Let's face it, who in this big, crazy world despises getting some presents and feeling a little loved on the day of your birth?

Though my birthday wasn't until next week, I was still growing more and more anxious as the days went on due to my husband conspiring with Kate and Elyse. All the hushed whispers and giggles whenever I entered the room, Edward electing to read the girls a bedtime story before they parted to their own rooms to sleep when that had been my job the past couple of months. Yes, Edward and my girls were definitely brewing up something and given my fragile mind…and hormones…these days, I was a bit on edge trying to keep it together for the sake of everyone else, including the rapidly growing peanuts living in my belly.

My peanuts. Being that I only had about eight weeks to go before I reached full term, my stomach was huge. Well, huge didn't really describe what my belly looked and felt like. Motherfucking, abnormally HUGE! Yeah, that was the best term to describe how I looked. No compliment from anyone was going to sway me from how I felt. Not Edward telling me every moment that we are together how beautiful I look carrying his children, not Alice and Rosalie taking me for manicures and blow outs for my hair while telling me some bullshit about how I didn't even look pregnant and carrying twins if people viewed me from behind, not even Esme telling tall tales of how she gained more weight with Emmett than I have carrying two babies. Nope. They weren't going to sweet talk their way into changing my mind.

Even though I had about two months left in my pregnancy, women who are expecting a multiple birth usually don't go to full term and they end up being induced for labor or going into labor naturally. Since I happened to fall under the category of "having a multiple birth," a never ending thought bubble constantly loomed above my head like my own personal rain cloud shouting things like "When the hell are these babies going to exit my body?" or "Dear God, please don't have me go into labor when I am alone or in the grocery store where I am unable to make it to the hospital in time so the guy who works in the produce section would have to deliver my babies because Edward is across town working and is stuck in traffic, desperately trying to inch his way towards me." I had been having that recurring nightmarish thought a lot lately so much that it keeps me up at night.

Edward just simply laughs at me and thinks is so adorable that I am "freaking out" about giving birth to his children. He wouldn't dare say anything about raging hormones to me because I am about up to my eyeballs in annoyance at anyone who tells me I am feeling the way I am just because of the hormonal shift in my body…and I wouldn't bat an eyelash as I punched my husband in the face. I don't care how gorgeous he is or what amazing things he can do with his magical tongue; he knows not to push my buttons these days. He knows me so well and that is why I love him so much.

Hormones…bitch please. I was going a little ape shit with my thoughts because I will have not one but two beings come out of my body. Elyse was a breeze and a pleasure to have seeking refuge in my belly from conception to birth. But these two have done nothing lately but organize sumo wrestling matches all day and all night. At least, that's what it feels like to me. I wouldn't be surprised at all if these babies end up being boys by the way they seem to do somersaults over one another while kicking and punching their momma. However, I could be housing two little gymnast girls or ballerinas while they pirouette around in my uterus…or I am having one boy and one girl and they are fighting over the car keys and who gets to drive, or perhaps it's a remote control they playing tug-o-war over while elbowing me in my side screaming at one another about whether they were going to watch Sesame Street or Yo Gabba Gabba.

What was wrong with me? Seriously? My thoughts were buying me a one way ticket to Crazy Town. I was an anxious, moody and apprehensive ball of nerves. It seemed as though I wasn't excited for my babies to be born, but I really was. I was married to the greatest guy in existence who gave me a fairy tale life and still continues to amaze me daily. I had the most precious step-daughter and was so thankful that Kate actually wanted to start calling me 'Mommy Bella.' So freaking cute. Then there was the most important person in my life…my reason for breathing…my Elyse. She had been adjusting so well to all the wonderful, yet seemingly out of this world, crazy happenings that occurred in our lives over this past year. I was so proud that she was turning into such a remarkable kid. I don't know what I would ever do if I lost her.

You aren't going to lose her. My subconscious promised me.

You don't know that for sure. Remember an asshole named James? My thoughts counter back.

Well next week we will know for sure. But even then, everything will work out for the best. Remember…this is about Elyse and NOT about the resentment you harbor for James. And it's not about him wanting some revenge on you for going on with your life and bettering yourself, so stop feeling guilty about that.

I felt so badly because everyone in my family was trying to do was to keep my thoughts occupied with fun and carefree things. Some of which included shopping for Elyse and Katie's school clothes or ordering baby furniture and other accessories for the nursery. They were doing everything they could to keep me from focusing on the fact that I had an impending date in family court…a date that could very well be the worst in my life.

Of course the date had to fall on Katie's first day of school in a real school and not the daycare. She was entering kindergarten, one of the biggest milestones in a child's life and I couldn't even be at the house to see her off to school, take pictures and all that fun stuff because my lawyer, Jenks, was picking me up early so we could get to the courthouse for nine o'clock appointment. The plan was for Edward to take Kate to school, drop off Elyse at the preschool, and then make his way to the courthouse. Everyone else had wanted to come but I told them it wasn't necessary and thanked them for their support. Rose and Alice weren't happy and it wouldn't surprise me if they showed up anyway because that was just in their nature to be by my side for everything that went on in my and Elyse's life.

Edward was who I had now and I didn't want my husband to feel as though his support wasn't enough. It was definitely more than enough, considering he hooked me up with Jenks in the first place, being that Japer had interned for him in the past and Jenks was good friends with Carlisle. You really do get what you pay for. My divorce lawyer was crap and he treated me like I was a pathetic excuse for a human, but I had no alternative options back then. Jenks is a class act and is like a loveable teddy bear that curses like a sailor and will have only your best interests at heart, even if he didn't agree with them. We got along really well, so I didn't hesitate when Jenks offered to drive me…lord knew I wouldn't be in any mental condition to drive myself. I wished my parents were coming but they had already booked a vacation before I got subpoenaed by James. I wasn't going to ask them to cancel, but I really hoped they would.

*One Week Later*

"You ready, Kid?" Jenks asked in his slightly raspy voice.

"Uh, yeah…I guess," I spluttered out quietly, my hands twisting together nervously.

We were sitting in a large waiting room on the third floor of the courthouse where the Division of Family Services was. The room was a big rectangle with nothing but rows and rows of chairs…and windows, lots and lots of big windows.

"You guess? I know damn well that you are. You are a fighter and you have to exude that when you walk in that room. You have been the positive constant in Elyse's life and if you sit there with your face sunken in, biting your nails you will scream insecure mom who can't handle a little pressure," Jenks coached, while rubbing my shoulder, trying to calm my nerves.

"I…I just can't lose her….ever," I whispered quietly, my voice shaking ever so slightly.

"You won't, but I can't promise that James will be out of Elyse's life. As I explained to you months ago, James does have a case for attaining some parental rights back, possibly even joint custody. But James will never get sole custody of your daughter…that I can promise you."

Jenks shot up quickly once his cell phone rang and headed towards the back of the waiting room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. That was the worst thing because I needed to keep my stress level down for my babies' sake. I couldn't afford to go into premature labor now…not when I had to fix this custody mess first and get this settled once and for all.

The elevator dinged and opened. Closing my eyes I prayed that Edward would be walking through those doors and right towards me. No such luck. James sauntered out the elevator as though he was a prize fighter ready to enter the ring, a smug look adorned on his face, with his lawyer to his right and his girlfriend attached to his left side. Victoria who was dressed in a pantsuit and heels with her red, curly hair swaying below her shoulders after each step she made, had her arm linked with James and wore the same determined look on her face as James. She patted her hand against his forearm and immediately I was blinded by sparkles. Sure enough on her left ring finger was a significantly large diamond on which the sun was reflecting causing me to be momentarily hypnotized.

Shaking my head, I scoffed, rather too loudly because all three of them finally noticed me and stopped immediately. It figured that James would conveniently be engaged just in time for our mediation hearing. I know it was to prove that he was an upstanding family man. Jenks had warned me that James would be armed with specific tactics that would garner the Judge's attention and saw his mind in James' favor. I was in no way shape or form jealous in any way; I just thought his timing was impeccable.

"Bella," James nodded, that determined look straining his eyebrows so much that he looked like he had to take a shit.

"James," I mocked, scrunching my face like his so he could see how ridiculous he looked.

James loosened up and I saw a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You look…very pregnant. How are you feeling?"

Instinctively my hands circled my stomach, a silent message to my babies that James would never hurt them because I would kill him first.

"I still have a few more weeks to go. I feel massive but I suppose it comes with the territory of carrying two babies inside you. As for…other things, I could be better, but I think you already know that." I couldn't help that little dig. Jenks was still on the phone, his back turned towards us as he stood across the room. I didn't think he would agree that I was conversing with the opposing side.

"You are simply glowing, Bella. I only hope I look as fabulous as you when I have a baby," Victoria practically sang, her toothy smile so wide…so fucking fake.

Just as James' lawyer was about to pry him from speaking with me, the elevator dinged once again. As I turned around, I stopped breathing for a moment because it wasn't only Edward who entered the room, but his whole family with Alice and Rosalie. Esme's eyes narrowed, as did Alice and Rosalie's as they eyed up James like rabid dogs looking at a piece of raw meat. I could swear that one of them even hissed but I could have been imagining things.

Rose's fists clenched and Emmett could see the tension on his wife's face causing him to wrap his arms around her for comfort. Emmett, as well as I, knew that Rose would beat the ever living crap out of James, and I think she was still waiting for that day to come. Believe me, I was all for it. However, I didn't think doing it in front of a court room was a smart idea.

In a flash and in true Edward fashion, he was by my side with his hand covering mine over my belly. "I'm sorry I couldn't get here earlier, my love," he whispered in my ear, kissing it lightly.

"Did the girls go off to school well?"

"Oh yes," he laughed. "Katie was so excited to get on the bus she would have burst through the doors before they opened for her. And Elyse was a little sad that Katie wouldn't be going to the day care with her, but once she saw some of her friends, she tore away from my hand and began playing with them. Angela reassured me she would be fine and she knows to call me or you for anything."

"Oh, good. Did you take pictures of both of them?"

"Yes, Love," Edward smiled.

"Did you make sure to get some of Katie on the bus?"

"Yes, Love."

"Did you…"

"Bella, please don't worry. Everything went well this morning and the girls know how much you wanted to be with them, but that you had a very important meeting."

"Yeah…some meeting. I'd rather be anywhere else," I said while burying my head in my husband's chest.

"I know, Baby and I wish we could be elsewhere, but soon enough this will all be over," Edward reassured, rubbing my back lovingly.

When I looked up, James, Victoria and his lawyer were huddled in a corner, no doubt talking strategy. Having to look away at the sight of my ex, I focused my attention on the people who I should have known would never have listened to me and not come today…for which I am truly grateful for because the way they were looking at me was a force to be reckoned with. There my family was, practically standing arm and arm, staring down James and Victoria as though they were mentally daring them to make the first strike against them.

Rose broke away from the group and came to me. "If I wasn't in a court house I swear I would cut James' fucking balls off, Bells," she whispered to me as she drew me in for a hug causing Edward to let go of me.

"Thanks for being here, Rose. I can't believe you all came…even Jasper and Emmett? Don't they have better things to do?"

Just then, as though they had super hearing senses, everyone came to where I was standing, enclosing me in a circle of love and support, telling me that they wouldn't be anywhere else than here with me…showing a united front in the fight for Elyse, making sure James never gets full custody of my daughter. Even Emmett and Jasper were saying such sweet things to me, building up my confidence so I could go into that court room to face my fear. Amidst all the comforting words, the elevator dinged yet again, letting out my parents. Everyone parted so my parents could hug me.

"What? What are you two doing here? I though you and Dad were going on vacation?" I asked my mom through the tears streaming down my face.

"Honey, how could we in good conscience go away on a frivolous vacation when our granddaughter's future is at stake here? Not to mention that our daughter needs us now more than ever," my dad winked, giving me his signature side hug.

"See, now that everyone is here, everything will be okay. I can just feel it," Alice sang, giving me a big squeeze.

"I love you, Alice," I smiled.

"Right back at ya, Bells."

Jenks got off his phone and went over to speak with James' lawyer. A few minutes later, Jenks came to our side of the room. He made his way in the circle, keeping eye contact with me and Edward.

"Okay, in about fifteen minutes we will be entering the court room. The judge is delayed, and apparently James doesn't want to go in until his parents get here," he instructed.

"The Aro's are coming?" Esme raised her voice in disgust.

Immediately Carlisle placed his hand on his wife's arm. "Darling, James has every right to bring in his own support system. Besides, we will be sitting on opposite sides; you won't even have to look at them."

Esme instantly calmed, nodding as Carlisle placed a light kiss on her temple.

Edward squeezed my hand, tugging me forward slightly. It was as though I was cemented to the damn ground.

"Ready, Love?" He smiled that award winning smile that always made me melt down to the tips of my toes.

I sighed, letting out a deep breath. "Ready as I'll ever be, I guess."

*One Hour Later*

The actual court room wasn't like I had imagined. It was very modern and empty looking…just your average court bench where the judge resides and there wasn't even a place for any witnesses to come up to testify. I had envisioned some grand room that was filled with dark wood, where there were microphones on the tables where the defendant and plaintiff sat, where the jury box was supposed to be placed to my right and the judge was practically towering over everyone sitting on some type of throne.

But no such luck. This room was definitely just a plain, run of the mill room. I had definitely watched too many crime shows on television. However, one thing from my imagination still rang true. The man sitting before me, perched on a bench, with a massive light wooden desk covering most of his body…that man still held my fate as to whether I would have sole custody of Elyse.

Sitting in front of my family, my back facing them, was so difficult because I so longed to see Rose and Alice's faces. Yes, of course I wanted to be locked with Edward's eyes, but Alice and Rose were there with me from the very beginning and all I wanted was that look from them, reassuring me that I would be okay, that Elyse would be okay. The Aro's had shown in true Aro fashion, but I refused to look at them or give them any satisfaction of them thinking they got the best of me. I had heard Esme utter, "such fucking horrible people" under her breath. I almost chuckled but I didn't want the judge to think that I was disrespecting his court room. I couldn't even look over at James, but I could hear his sneering voice…like nails on a chalk board I tell you. I only focused on what Jenks would scribble to me on his yellow legal pad notebook or what he would lean over and whisper into my ear.

The mediation hearing started off as it normally does where James and I each had to answer personal questions about ourselves ranging from our names, birthdates, when we were married, if any children were born from the marriage, so we obviously had to give Elyse's information. We also had to give the date of our divorce, which I was very surprised that James actually knew it because he wasn't even present at the divorce because he was in rehab. His lawyer probably had to ingrain that information into his puny brain. Wonder how long that took.

After all our personal information was stated, the judge would periodically peruse through a big file in front of him, no doubt that both of claims, paperwork and evidence from our lawyers was what he was skimming through. See, in this type of hearing, the judge was the one who asks the majority of the questions unless one of our lawyers wanted to counter a point by asking a direct question to either myself or James. The judge was very thorough and went through each year of Elyse's life, James' presence in her life, my presence in her life.

When it came time to discuss his time in rehab and his addiction to alcohol, James gave an award winning speech about how he had dramatically changed his ways and how even though it took a couple on stints in rehab for it to really sink in, but he truly was a rehabilitated man. I felt as though I was at some parole board hearing rather than a custody hearing. His lawyer even handed the judge letters from his past sponsors, indicating his maintaining of his sobriety. Also, of course the fact that his mommy and daddy spoon fed him a high paying, secure job at the family company made him look like a prized father of the year. I cannot even count the times I clenched my fists under the table in disgust of his acting ability.

The judge had spent some time on me and my financial distress throughout Elyse's early life. That part I hated the most because I was so fucking embarrassed. I mean, Edward and his family were sitting there listening to how I practically lived destitute while working in a daycare and trying to raise a little baby girl. Not to mention I am sure that made my parents feel like utter shit listening to how their daughter lived without their help emotionally and monetarily. I didn't want to dredge all of that up again because my parents and I were in a good place now. The past was the past and we had a wonderful future together to look forward to.

The judge did commend me for my perseverance and how I maintained a positive home environment for Elyse considering what I was going through. Unbeknownst to me, Rose and Alice had also written letters on my behalf explaining what I had gone through with James, me having to kick him out, the divorce and the aftermath of that. They also went into great detail about how I was such a wonderful, loving mother to Elyse and how Elyse has benefited from me being her mother. I teared up at one point after listening to the judge read Rosalie's letter. I will never forget the last lines of it…

"It is because of Bella's strength and undying commitment she gives towards the ones she loves, that I can only hope that I am one-quarter of the mother she is to Elyse. That woman is the purest example of it doesn't matter how much money you have, it's what you do with the means you got. And Bella never, ever let Elyse see or feel just how much she struggled at times being on her own. She only showed that child what it felt like to be truly comforted and truly loved and above of all else, truly safe."

From the corner of my eye, I saw James turn his head in my direction. Deciding to face him, our eyes locked and for the first time since before I even kicked him out when we were married, his face softened. The shame and guilt was glistening in his eyes and it was as though a light bulb came on over his head. He blinked, but then stared at me again, except this time, I felt as though it was in admiration. A feeling as though no one else was in the room swept over me. I could hear the lawyers talking but for the life of me, I couldn't hear what they were saying. It was a foggy haze of murmurs and I believed that James was under the same trance. He smiled, his lips covering his teeth. He smiled so softly towards me that I couldn't help but give him the same type of smile. It was as though he finally got just how much I sacrificed in order to raise our daughter…what I had to go through and endure in order to give Elyse a good life.

It was at this point that I saw James as a human being and not the monster that I had built him up for so many years to be. I knew that the real James was in there somewhere; I was in love with him at one point in my life. He was a decent person before the booze took over. For God's sake, our daughter looks just like him. I didn't want to hate him; I just wanted for us to get along and to have my daughter.

But is it so wrong for James to want the same thing as you? My subconscious pointed out. Maybe he just wants to see his daughter.

I wished so hard that this would all just go away and that I was only having a terrible dream. Sadly, that wasn't the case as Jenks placed his hand on my shoulder, breaking me from my silent conversation with James.

"Are you alright, Bella?" he asked, concern laced across his face.

Clearing my throat, I answered him quietly. "Uh, yeah. I'm fine. I was just…in thought I guess."

Just then I peeked back over at James who was whispering in his lawyer's ear and moving his hands as though he were trying to make a point. The judge had spoken up and decided to call a break for lunch.

"We will reconvene in one hour," he stated in a baritone voice, banging the gavel down on the desk. Yes that part was true about the gavel thingy.

Before I could stand, Edward's hand grasped my shoulders. My legs were numb and I needed to stand but these babies wanted me to sit. I could hear the rumbles of my family making their way towards me, but all I could really hear was James' voice. Then once Jenks got up to answer a phone call, I saw James speaking with his attorney.

"No! You have got to be kidding me!" James certainly was not happy with him.

I couldn't hear what his attorney was saying but rather, I could only hear James' response because his volume was above rumbles but below yelling.

"Well, you have to listen to ME! I am your client…not them!" he pointed in the direction of his parents who shot up immediately and went towards their son.

"I said I wanted to have visitation rights, NOT full custody. This is wrong and I am not going through with it anymore."

Now we all were glued on what was unfolding especially since those words left his mouth. I couldn't even move from my seat even if I wanted to. No one said a word…not even Rosalie or Esme. Edward just kept his hands on me, knowing that was our silent way of communicating.

James quickly stood up and faced his parents who were telling him to calm down but to no avail was he calming down. His lawyer even gave up trying to interrupt him. James' eyes met mine once again and his demeanor softened but then I saw his face twitch back to being angry as he faced his parents.

"I never wanted this. You did," he started, pointing his finger at his parents who were stunned into silence. James definitely had the floor now.

"All I wanted was to be a part of my daughter's life…not to be a part in trying to destroy Bella's life! What the hell do you have against her anyway? What the hell did she ever do to you two but to try and be good to you despite how disgusting your actions were to her! For Christ's sake, I was an addict…an addict who was horrible towards my wife and my newborn child. I will always live with that guilt in my heart and I don't even know how I will ever try to repay Bella for what I put her through myself…never mind you two! I cannot even believe that you would have me sign away rights to my daughter and not contribute a penny…not a damn penny to help raise her or pay for any of her expenses. Who does that? I'm just sorry I was too buzzed up to even realize what I was doing…because even though I may have had to agree at the time to giving up rights to my kid, I never, ever would have made Bella foot the finances for every little thing. You two are horrible! You cannot place in under your spell any longer. I have had enough and this isn't any good for Bella in her condition now."

Was this true? Was I hearing correctly? Was James telling his parents off and giving them a licking for a lifetime? Now, I had to have been dreaming.

James turned towards his lawyer. "Listen to me and listen to me good. Bella is to have primary custody. She is to be the primary parent of residence. All I would like is to have Elyse two nights out of the week and every other weekend. Holidays we could figure out…or flip flop or some shit. But Bella and Edward's home is to be Elyse's primary home."

The Aro's were stunned, their mouths wide open like big canyons. I got the feeling that they never in a million years expected for their son to react like that towards them. Vicki just sat there, but she had a nice smile on her face as she laid eyes on James. That right there told me that she was on his side and supported what he was saying.

He walked away and strode over our direction, except this time, no one said a word. Rather, they parted from me slightly, giving James a chance to get near me. No one growled, no one muttered anything negative under their breaths…no one did a thing…not even Edward. Well, Edward was still connected to me and not letting go, but I could feel a sense of calm…no malice at all.

"Hello, Edward. I just want to apologize for everything I have put you and your family through. I was under such a spell with my parents thinking I had to follow their orders. Not now. Not anymore."

Edward nodded, extending out his hand towards James. James accepted and they shook hands. "James, I knew eventually you would do the right thing," was all Edward said.

"Bella," James started, "words cannot even express how grateful I am that you never gave up and were such a wonderful, loving mother to our daughter. I don't know how I will ever repay what my parents did to you and not agreeing to ever give you any alimony or child support on my behalf. I've always felt so guilty but I never knew how to talk to you about it. I even wrote letters to you while I was in rehab but I never sent them…I guess because I was such a coward. All I want is to be a part of Elyse's life, for her to really get to know me and Vicki, too. She has such a great family, Bells, much like the Cullen's. They would love Elyse. I know you heard me just now talking to my attorney, so you know the terms I want. And since you will be the primary parent of residence, I fully intend on giving you child support and I want to pay for any other additional expenses that accrue along the way. I want us to get along and be able to co-parent. I want us to be able to attend school plays, soccer games or whatever together and be a united front for our daughter. I'm not asking for big holiday get-togethers…just to be a part of Elyse's life. Sound okay?"

James' voice was so full of hope and regret, how could I not agree to those terms?

"Of course, James. All I have wanted was for our daughter to truly know you. She deserves that, and despite what has happened in the past, you deserve that, too."

Edward let go of my shoulders as I started to get up from my seat. I extended my hand towards James and he took it in his. Then he pulled me into an embrace and I lost it. I started to sob as he kept thanking me over and over again. All he could say was, "thank you, Bells…thank you from the bottom of my heart."