Final Chapter 36:

Newborn / New Year / New Beginnings

Bella POV

After what felt like an eternity, my heart finally gave out, taking the last of my pain with it. Everything was quiet and everything was loud, all at once. I lay completely still and listened for the sounds around me. I heard the breeze outside as it ruffled the leaves, an owl and a car off in the distance. I opened my eyes and noticed the slight creeks along the ceiling and even the specs of dust flitting though the air. Still, I lay there taking it all in, astonished at how blind I had lived my entire life.

"Bella?" Came the soothing voice from inside the room. Edward – my mind recognized.

I sat up in an instant and looked in his direction. I took in his smile but I noted the worry within his expression. I smiled to let him know I was okay, and his smile widened, making him even more beautiful than my human eyes had done him justice.

"You're exquisite." He told me as he approached me slowly. Mush too slowly – I realized.

I was up and in front of him in an instant. It was quicker than I knew I could move, and I smiled while looking into his beautifully golden eyes.

"I love you, Edward." I told him and heard my voice clearly for the first time, causing my eyes to widen and he chuckled at me.

"And I love you … so much, Bella." He responded and I couldn't wait.

My lips were on his and we were kissed passionately. I realized I no longer needed to breathe and I could do this forever, and I fully intended to. So, I pressed him closer to me. But, he pulled away from me with another chuckle and a groan.

"Sweetheart, it's your turn not to break me now." He said and I giggled.

The sound reminded me of Alice's giggle, and I nodded at his words. I asked where everyone was, and he told me they were downstairs with the babies.

"Let's go, I can't wait to see and hold them!" I exclaimed from the door, not having realized his words had caused me to rush to the door, incredibly fast. I felt him tugging at my hand back, away from the door, so I looked back to question him.

"Bella, we thought you might want to … hunt first." He told me, cautiously.

At his words caused me to rise my hands to my throat, and I acknowledge the burning there, that I had been pushing aside. I realized I did need to hunt, very badly, so I nodded my head and he smiled.

We walked over to the window and said I could go first. I moved to stand beside him and looked down, then back at him like he was crazy. He chuckled like he knew that would be my reaction. He explained it was less risky than having a hungry newborn wandering the house, putting the babies at risk. I agreed whole heartedly, but this is the 3rd floor.

I looked down at myself and realized I was wearing a dress and heels, and then I noticed a very important piece of jewelry around my neck. It was the Cullen Crest that Esme and Carlisle had gifted me on my wedding day. Edward noticed when I saw it and he placed a finger on it, then lifted my face to look at him. He smiled and said he'd go first so I could watch how he did it. Based on Edward's landing, I knew the heels had to go. I was removing them when Emmett's voice called out to me.

"Go on Bella, you scared? Need a good push?" He yelled up, causing me to laugh.

I was about to respond when Jasper's serious voice yelled. "Emmett, don't antagonize the New Born." I would have been offended, if everyone's laughs hadn't followed his statement, so I tossed the heels out the window, determined to do this.

"Bella, those are thousand dollar shoes." Alice yelled up and I laughed.

"I'm still me, Alice. Fashion sense did not increase with Vampirism." I yelled back, although I was sure we could hear each other without the yelling.

I looked down at Edward's smiling face and climbed easily up to the ledge. The urge to be near him was strong and I felt myself gliding to the ground. I landed with a soft thud and then I straightened my knees. Edward had me in his arms right away, telling me he'll never get used to watching me jump out a window. I giggled at his words and then we ran off together.

After a near miss with a rock climbing human, I fed on a cougar and three dear, until I was finally sated. I finally understood, just a sliver, of the torture Edward must have endured for so long, to be near me. He assured me I was worth it and asked if I wanted to meet the babies, to which I responded giddily and we ran back home.

When I neared the back porch, Jared and Jake stood outside with Emmett. I thought they were simply welcoming me back, but the serious look on Jared's face told me there was more. Jake approached me and I hugged him. We joked about each other's odors for a moment, then I looked to my brother. He approached me cautiously. He held out a small white blanket and I understood. They wanted to make sure I could resist the smell of my babies, before letting me in. I was grateful they were standing guard of my precious babies. I inhaled the smell of the little white blanket, and noted how strongly it smelled of the two scents that brought me peace while I was burning.

I told them the smell did nothing but call out to me, urging me to care for them. I looked back to Edward imploring to be let it. He held my hand and marveled out loud, at how strong my control was for a newborn vampire. Jared hugged me tightly and then I was dragging a chuckling Edward inside, and Emmett stayed close to me as well. I understood I was the risk, but I felt I was in complete control, so I just punched his shoulder. I laughed when he groaned and rubbed his arm once we'd come to a stop, and I realized my light punch was stronger than I intended.

My instincts went wild, when I noticed there were nine vampires poised for attack in the room. Emmett passed my side and joined them, bringing their number to ten vampires before, me in several rows. Jake and Jared immediately stood in front of them, but I looked around them, taking note of everyone that was here.

Behind the shifters, were Alec, Jane, Marcus and Felix, and I smiled at them. In the center behind them were Jasper and Alice. Jasper's very serious face was a complete contrast to Alice's bouncing body and wide smile. I waved at her and she blew me a kiss, causing me to giggle. Then, I noticed Carlisle step out to the right from behind Alice, just as Emmett did, on Jasper's left.

My fight or flight instincts were making me a bit unsteady, until I smelled them and detected their little hearts beating. My senses pinpointed their location behind Jasper and Alice. My babies were in here. Instinctively, I took a step forward, only to have Jared and Jake block me. I took a deep breath reminding myself that I was grateful for their help, and tried to keep my frustration at bay.

"Guys, seriously, I'm fine okay. Edward can read my mind and I'm sure Jasper can feel my emotions. I want to see my children. Now." I managed to say, barely able to hold back my annoyance.

"She's right. Let her by. There are plenty of us in here to prevent a catastrophe. But, as I've said… repeatedly… Bella is a natural. She is and will remain perfectly fine." Alice said, breaking formation to hug me tightly.

With Alice on one side, and Edward holding my other hand, I walked forward and everyone spread out, finally revealing what I so longed for. Esme stood with a pink bundle in her arms, beside Rosalie holding a blue bundle in hers. They were smiling at me, but my eyes only went from one baby, to the other.

"Hello my precious treasures. I have been waiting to meet you, a long time. Hi, my angel. Hi, sweetness. Momma's here." I whispered to each of them as I neared them, and noticed they were both awake and staring at me.

I stretched my right arm and took a secure hold of my daughter, then Edward placed my son in my left arm. I couldn't take my eyes off them. Somewhere in my mind, I knew they looked much older than newborns, and it was confirmed when they both smiled at me. Nothing would ever compare to this feeling. They're perfect and so beautiful.

"Yes, they are. I've never seen a more perfect sight, in all my years." Edward answered, and since we weren't touching, I realized I'd spoken out loud.

When I looked to Edward, it was clear he was referring to me holding our children. If I were still human, I might have blushed. As it was, I just looked back at the babies and leaned forward to inhale their heavenly scent once more. I will never forget this, not ever.

Then, my son gripped my hand and I was flooded with the feeling of wanting food. I knew it didn't come from me, so I looked around curiously. When Edward noticed my astonishment, he chuckled. Edward told me our gifted son could express himself by touch, like he had while I was pregnant.

"It seems my baby boy is hungry. Could someone, please, bring me his bottle? I'd like to feed him?" I asked, still not taking my eyes off him and giggling at his toothless smile.

I looked to my precious daughter asking if she was hungry too. She just smiled another perfectly toothless but adorable smile, confirming that she was. Esme said my daughter was usually content to let her brother eat first. I kissed by precious girl's fingers as she waved them happily in front of me.

I moved gently to the couch and Alice prepped the pillows having seen what I intended to do. I maneuvered them, letting the cushions help me support them on my lap. Rosalie came back with two bottles of formula, and I fed them simultaneously.

"No more waiting, my treasures. Momma's got you." I told them lovingly and cooed at them while they drank.

"Where are Dad, Sue, Leah and Seth?" I asked curiously, while still looking at my beauties.

When no one answered right away, I looked up and noticed everyone's guarded faces. I became alarmed, wondering if something had happened, but Jasper noticed and settled my fears.

"They're safe, hon. We thought it would be safer to keep the humans away. In case their blood was too much for you." Jasper said seemingly studying me.

"Nonsense. I'm sure it will be uncomfortable, but they should be here. I will be fine, promise." I told him and looked to Edward for confirmation.

Jasper looked ready to argue, but Edward explained how we came across a human in the woods, while I hunted. I was mid hunt and almost lost control because of his scent. He explained that once I recognized what the smell was, I calmed myself right away. Jasper looked doubtful, by Edward texted something on his cell.

Within moments, I heard a door, somewhere beneath us, opening and slamming. I heard steps on the stairs climbing and four pounding heartbeats approaching. It wasn't easy, but I swallowed the venom that had pooled in my mouth and smiled.

"You keep proving them wrong, Bells. I always knew you would." I heard my dad's voice approaching.

When I looked up, I noticed him come into the room. He stopped for a second, taking in the sight of me with my babies, and I saw the tender emotion on his face.

"Look what I made, Daddy!" I said, remembering when I said that to him as a child, and he swallowed thickly.

"I know, baby girl. They're precious. A lot better than the mud pies you used to make for me with Jake." He replied with a chuckle, and wiped a tear away from his cheek as he approached us.

"They're perfect, aren't they?" I said, as Dad kissed my forehead and kneeled beside me to rub my babies' cheeks.

My daughter smiled at him around the bottle, then resumed drinking. Edward wiped a few drops of formula that slid from the side of her mouth when she did. My son, was already nearing the end of his bottle. My little guzzler – I thought with a smile. Then realized I didn't know my own children's names, and I felt my smile fall.

"What will we name them?" I questioned Edward with some distress, realizing I was horrible at this already.

"No you're not, my love. A new born vampire could never show the control you've exhibited today. Never the less, it is still overwhelming. We waited for you to give them their official names. Are we still going with our original plans?" Edward soothed and questioned me, making me take a calming breath.

"Everyone, let me introduce my son as Anthony Masen Cullen, and our daughter Carlie Alesrose Cullen." I said happily and laughed at the sound of Anthony continuing to suckle at the now empty bottle.

Little guzzler indeed – I thought fondly with a smile, as I removed the bottle.

Edward picked him up to burp him and I noticed Carlie was finishing her bottle as well. I smiled at her while I removed the bottle. I lifted her up to burp her, hugging her to me gently. Edward said Anthony was asking for me so he placed him in my other arm, against my chest so I could continue to burp him. I was in heaven feeling their little hearts hammering against my chest, loving every second.

Then, I focused my eyes around the room, trying to gage my family's reactions to the babies' names. Rose, Esme and Alice appeared touched, so I shot them a wink. Carlisle and my dad wore the same look on their faces, as they nodded smiling. My eyes were drawn back to Alice, as she was bouncing in place. Then, she flashed out of the living room and quickly returned with the two small boxes I recognized from my wedding day.

"People! Sixty seconds until the new year." Alice said happily, as she pulled out the small wristbands and with the Cullen Crest engraved on them, and placed one on each of my babies.

"Welcome to the family Anthony and Carlie." Carlisle declared, sincerely.

Gradually, I sensed the room growing brighter. I turned towards the source of the warm light, to find it was coming from Esme in Carlisle's arms. Suddenly, she gasped loudly and raise a hand to her mouth. Tears sprung from her eyes, as the golden light centered around her lower abdomen.

"Carlisle … It's a miracle!" She whispered, staring at him in ecstatic shock.

"Thank you, Zeus. What a tremendous blessing, thank you!" Carlisle yelled jubilantly, as he picked her up and spun her in his arms. Then, kissed her tenderly with his hand on her lower belly.

"I can feel it Rose, just as you described. It's the most wonderful feeling." She whispered through her happy tears.

I looked around to all the smiling faces of everyone I cared about, while they all hugged and congratulated Esme. I looked up and closed my eyes thinking of Zeus and mentally thanking him for making all this possible. My family continued the count down, and Edward sat beside me.

"Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One… Happy New Year!" We all said joyously!

Edward kissed me and when we pulled apart, we peppered our babies with kisses and heard their first giggles.

"This year is already beginning better than any other." Edward commented.

I thought of everything we'd overcome and imagined all that still awaited us. I knew I still needed to finish my conversation with Marcus, and I just knew that all sorts of new and exciting things were in store for us.

"This marks New Beginnings, Edward, for all of us. We'll be an entirely new kind of family. A whole new life awaits us, but I know I will love you every day of our forever." I told him sincerely.

"Every day of forever." He agreed with a beautiful smile and kissed me again.

A/N: The End! … or is it? Not sure yet.

Just want to THANK EVERYONE, for their comments or messages.

Many of you encouraged me throughout this process, from the start. Others sent their constructive criticism or helpful tidbits of information.

I've gone back and made a ton of corrections. Forgive me, if I missed a few. I get so excited and tend to think faster than I can type… typos happen. THANKS for seeing past all that and sticking with me.

As I said before, this was my very first story on FF or elsewhere. Although I had lots of ideas, I had no idea where the story would take me. I have to say... it took me deep into my own imagination, and I had a great time putting my wild & crazy ideas in writing. Every comment motivated me tremendously, so I appreciate everything and I'm super grateful to each of you!

Now-I will address the ANONYMOUS negative comment(s) I received or will get eventually. I don't plan to delete any of them, as I believe everyone is entitled to their opinions. But, if you think negative comments upset me, then all I have to say, is …

LLLLLL-MMMMM-FFFFFF-AAAAAA-OOOOOOOO!

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\) )./ Doing my LOL dance!

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I wasn't writing a book to be published, nor was this a submission in hopes of winning a Pulitzer. I never really understood the phrase "Laugh at the Haters", but I do now. Once again, it was truly a great laugh - I realize people love to vent and bitch, but having to hide anonymously to do so ... to each their own. LMFAO!

*That's all for this updated version of this story! Thanks again, and I hope you like my other stories! Love you guys!