Thank you for reading my story and being patient waiting for updates. I know I suck at updates lately, things have been crazy busy, but I am hoping to get the last few chapters written and sent off soon. I think I know where I want this to go now, and there will be some time jumps and such, but I think I will be covering everything, everyone has asked to see.

As always a huge thanks to those ladies who keep me readable. Thanks EdwardsFirstKiss (though, she is away on vacation right now), AWayWithWords, and LaPumkl.

Thank you to my good buddy Nikky, for supporting me in my solo writing.

Chapter 38

When we arrive back at the apartment, there is a party of sorts being set up in the backyard. There is a rather large man talking to Carlisle while they set up a grill. Esme is talking to a tall blond, and they're setting what looks like a couple of picnic tables pushed together. As we walk up, they all seem to look at us at the same time.

"Hello, everyone," my husband says, and I wave.

"Edward, Bella, you have perfect timing. Rosalie was helping me set the table, and Emmett is helping your father get the grill ready. Rosalie, Emmett, these are our children—Edward and Bella, your neighbors," Esme introduces us.

Emmett comes over and shakes Edward's hand as Rosalie shakes mine.

"You can call me Rose; it is a pleasure to meet you, Bella. I hope you don't mind that I helped Esme organize your kitchen while you were enjoying your honeymoon?"

"Not at all; it was very kind of you," I tell her.

"Hey, Bells, I'm Emmett, but you can call me Em. If Edward or you need anything, let me know and I will take care of it, right away."

When he shakes my hand, he is gentle, but I can tell he could crush me like a peanut.

Edward and I go inside to change, and wash up. I smile as I put on a nice sundress, knowing Edward is watching me.

"You are so beautiful," he says as his arms encircle my waist.

"Thank you," I tell him turning around in his arms.

I smile up at him, and he lowers his mouth to mine.

After kissing him for a few moments, I pull back and give him a grin.

"We need to join the others, but let's call it an early night, okay?"

"Absolutely; that's the best plan we've had all day."

We join everyone back outside, and see that six more people have arrived. We meet Jasper and Alice, who live above Rose and Emmett. Jasper is a history professor at my college, and Alice is a design major, working on her Master's degree. We then meet Jane and her brother Alec, who live above us. Jane is very quiet and tends to let Alec talk for her. Alec tells me she is a freshman this year and is attending at the same college as I am. He is a junior and majoring in Political Science. Jane seems very jumpy, and I can't help but wonder what her deal is. The other two people are girls named Victoria, and Zafrina. They are a couple and live in the basement apartment below Emmett and Rose. They both work in administration for the college and seem very nice.

We sit down to eat and everyone is chatting. I purposely sit next to Jane, thinking she seems like she needs a friend.

"So, Jane, what are you planning to major in?" I ask.

"Not sure," is her simple answer.

"Me either; I am just taking basic classes until I decide. I didn't even decide to go to college until after my father passed away a few months back," I tell her, hoping that my being open will help her talk to me.

"My parents died about six months ago. Alec is my half-brother, but he has always been good to me. He's the reason why I'm here."

A wave of understanding passes over me, and I feel as if I am meeting another version of myself.

"I'm sorry, it can be very hard, I know. If you ever want to talk, just come over and we can hang out. We should see if we have any classes together," I tell her.

"That actually sounds nice. I kind of hate it here, and I really miss my parents," she confides.

"I understand," I tell her, knowing nothing I can say will actually make her pain go away.

Everyone is talking as we eat. Everyone shares a little information about themselves, except for Jane who remains rather quiet. When she is not beside me, she is next to Alec. We sit around talking and laughing for a few hours before anyone says they need to leave. It's around eight, so everyone decides to pack up for the night.

Rose, Esme, Alice, Jane, Victoria, Zafrina, and I put the leftovers into containers.

When we talked earlier, Victoria told us that she helps out at a local women's shelter, whenever she can. They helped her when she left a rather abusive relationship with her college boyfriend. We all decided to do something to help since she told us of their current struggles. Rose says she has a ton of children's clothing which she will go through and donate as well as Alice. I asked about donating time, and Esme offered to do so as well. We put a nice plan together, and we start by packing up the left-overs to take to the shelter.

"Mom, Dad, thank you for everything," Edward tells them after we head back to our place.

"You've both done so much for us, and we want you to know how grateful we are," I add.

"Well, what else would we do, you are our children after all," Esme states.

"What are your plans for tomorrow, since you were able to get so much done today?" Carlisle asks.

We tell them what we have planned for tomorrow, and it isn't long before I let out a yawn.

"Sorry," I say covering my mouth.

"It's okay, I'm sure you're tired. Both of you should head off to your room. Carlisle and I are going to go to the hotel we booked earlier. We want you to have your privacy. We'll call in the morning," Esme states.

"You can stay here; you don't have to leave," I say.

"You don't have to leave," Edward says at the same time.

"Listen, kids, we love you, and we want to spend time with you. However, this is a special time for you both, and we want you to have the privacy you deserve. We're not leaving town anytime soon, and we'll talk to you in the morning," Carlisle says.

"Besides, if we are not here, there is a better chance you might be willing to work on those grand babies," Esme adds.

"Mom," Edward states as I turn red and hide my face in my husband's arm.

"Oh, pish, posh, did you expect anything less of your dear old mom?" Esme asks.

"We love you, and we will talk to you soon," Esme says as they walk out.

I can still feel the heat in my cheeks as I look up at Edward. He, too, has pinkness to his face, and I shrug.

"I guess we had better finish that conversation from earlier, huh?" I ask.

"Which conversation?"

"Children, and how soon we want to be parents," I say.

"I told you having a family is our destiny. I'm willing and ready whenever you are. I am open to how many children we have, and how soon we start making them. Just know that no matter the circumstance, I was born ready for anything you want."

"I think we would make wonderful parents, and I know I'm just starting college, but I think I want to try," I tell him.

"Really?" he asks.

"Really," I answer.

"Really, really?" he asks again while I smile at him and nod.

"Yes!" I can't help but let out a gasp as Edward picks me up and runs up the stairs with me in his arms.

He takes me straight into the bathroom and puts me down. He opens the medicine cabinet where I put my birth control pills this morning. He pulls them out and looks at me with his brow raised. I smile and grab the packet from his hand and toss them in the trash.

He lets out a whoop before pulling me into his arms and kissing me with so much energy, I swear my hair must be standing on end.

A/N: Hope that this chapter was worth the wait. What did you think of the meeting of their neighbors? Anything you want to see, because this may be one of your last chances to ask. Let me know. Thanks again for your patience.