Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters; they are all property of Stephenie Meyer.
Story Dedication. I said it once and I'll say it again, this story is dedicated to HeartOfDarkess. She is a woman who is an amazing author and who has become one of my best friends, even though we have never met in person. Heart has cheered me on, and has talked me through some low times. Thank you so much my friend.
Please check out our collaborated story Isle of Enchantment! It is rated M
News Alert
Unexpected Awakenings has been nominated for an award! Can you believe it? Well it's true, even if I can't. Please feel free to visit
Thehiddenstarawards (dot) blogspot (dot) com (put a period in place of the (dot)…lol)
Or just google hidden star awards.
Please look for it under the heading 'Best Canon Story' I believe it is number 4. If you feel this story is worth it, I ask that you head over and vote for it. This is my first nomination and I am overwhelmed. Voting starts on September 20th, and ends on October 10th, 2010. Pease take the time to cast your vote as you can only vote once!
I am unable to log into my fan fiction so I am uploading this from work.
Chapter 50
Bella's POV
I woke up suddenly from a dream I had been having. I was sitting with Edward, in the meadow he had taken me to on our first date…the meadow that meant so much to him. Each of us held an infant in our arms. The sun was shining, and Edward was sparkling brilliantly as the sunlight hit his face. I marveled at the look of contentment his features bestowed as he looked down on what had to be our daughter.
His golden eyes glowed as he gazed at her adoringly. She held onto his finger with her tiny fist as she giggled at him, her bronze curly hair framing her face as she wiggled in his lap to escape the tickling fingers of his other hand. Her brown eyes were warm and joyful as she watched her father. It was difficult to tear my eyes away from the scene before me but I could feel the warmth of the baby I held in my own arms.
I turned my eyes down to the robust baby who sat in my lap, his clenched fists flailing happily as he held handfuls of my own long hair in his hands. He babbled happily as he concentrated on pulling at the long strands of my hair. I laughed at his intent expression and he turned vivid green eyes up to smile at me. His hair was a light brown with bronze highlights that was as wild as Edward's even at this young age.
Somehow I knew that these were our children, our son Masen, and our daughter Emma. I had no doubt that this was how they would look, nor did I doubt that we would have the opportunity to have precious times with our children such as the one from my dreams. I woke up with the light from the window softly illuminating the room. As I shifted upright in bed I felt my stomach move firmly for the first time. These weren't gentle butterfly movements, it was as if my children were agreeing with my assessment of my dream, and that it had excited them…it almost made me wonder if they had been responsible for the dream in the first place.
I heard Edward laugh lightly before I had even realized he was there. I gazed up to see him sitting in a chair beside the bed. "Morning sleepyhead." He said with a soft smile. "Did you sleep well?"
I nodded stretching my arms as I arched my back to work out the residual fatigue of sleep. Edward was at my side in a second, his expression suddenly much more serious. I had a rush of recollection and I realized that at any time now the Volturi would be coming, breaking into our happy lives because Tanya had been so demented with jealousy that she had sought to take away everything we had been blessed with.
I sighed heavily and Edward reached out for me as if feeling the weight of the thoughts on my mind. I glanced at him, trying to shrug away my anger at Tanya, trying not to regret having done something to her when I had had the chance, instead focusing on the worried look on his face.
"What happened , Edward?" I asked knowing that the vampires downstairs would have continued to talk long after I had gone to sleep.
Edward explained Carlisle's idea, repeating every detail they had discussed. I couldn't help but think that it seemed to be a believable plan. I held up my hand, wiggling my ring finger.
"How do you think this will go over?" I asked him curious about his thoughts.
"I don't care how it goes over." He said slowly, "But I must admit I can't wait to see the expression on Mike's face when he sees it."
We decided to follow Carlisle's suggestion as it seemed to be the best plan of action. I quickly got showered and dressed then found Alice waiting for me with clothes that would make my smaller bump look a bit larger than it currently was to help the story appear to be more feasible to onlookers.
Carlisle called Charlie and explained the route we were planning on taking so Charlie could provide people with the same fabricated details if anyone asked him about it. Carlisle also called the school's principal and explained in person the reason for the absence of his family and the fact that I was ready to return to school now that our babies health was no longer at risk. He also made sure to inform the Principal that I had married Edward while I was away from school and he wanted the school to be aware that I had changed my last name to Cullen.
It was interesting to hear Carlisle remind the Principal that I had better be treated with respect I deserved as a married woman and expectant mother, or he would be sure that between him and Charlie they would have him stripped of his job title.
I had sat in the kitchen giggling quietly as I prepared myself for my reintroduction to society as a wife and soon to be mother. I was very protective of our children, and was surprised at how much my priorities had changed in the few short weeks since I had met my soul mate. I have never imagined myself as a wife…or a mother for that matter. Renee hadn't been the best model for either role, but I was determined to be the best at both that I possibly could be.
Esme had prepared a large breakfast for me, and she prompted me to eat. I wasn't very hungry so Rose pushed a vegetable drink into my hand and encouraged me to drink it. I had never been a fan of drinks such as this, but it smelled delicious and as soon as it touched my tongue I was ravenous for more. Rose gave me another as well as packing a few into my school backpack, and she had a very contented smile on her face as Esme watched me settle into eating the remainder of the food she had set before me, I was suddenly very hungry for the food she had made.
Edward frowned and picked up the glass bottle and sniffed it before shaking his head suddenly.
"Really Rose, you spiked the V-8 with deer blood, was that necessary?" He asked with an eyebrow raised.
Rose nodded. "Yes Edward it was, you yourself saw that her body was craving it the other day. I have noticed that when Bella has blood that her body accepts regular food more readily. I am sorry to have been underhanded Bella, but I thought it best that you had a way to have access to it through the day should you require it…plus the vegetables are good for the babies as well. And you said that if they needed it, you didn't mind. Am I forgiven, Bella?" She asked hanging her head with shame.
I watched the confrontation between siblings feeling a bit betrayed.
"Rose, you should have asked me. I wouldn't have said no…not after the other day since I know the babies need it, but that was not the way to go about it…even if I have to admit it is a clever way to hide it at school. You're only forgiven if you promise never to try to trick me again. The babies are the most important thing in the world to me, and I will do whatever I need to keep them safe and healthy, you just need to talk to me before you try things on me…agreed?" I admonished her.
Rose nodded, hanging her head low. She seemed more worried than I was about our reintroduction to school. The evil part of me couldn't wait to see the expression on the faces of Jessica and Lauren. I hadn't missed how they watched Edward, nor had I forgotten the way they treated me when we had met. I was also a bit excited to see friends who were not members of the family like Angela and Lisa.
Esme's eyes were on the clock on the wall, even though I was sure her vampire mind kept perfect time without needing one. She quickly hustled us up, reminding us all to get our backpacks and coats, just like any real human mother. Alice rolled her eyes over and over.
"Really mom...we know…enough with the reminders already. We love you!" She quipped brightly as she pecked Esme on the cheek.
We all followed suit, kissing her on the cheeks as we made our way to the door. Esme watched us all, her kind face showing her concern for each and every one of us as we headed out to face the first day of our future. I was the last to approach her and I wrapped my arms around her neck, pulling her into a hug. She wrapped her arms gently around me and sighed sadly in my ear. As I pulled back she looked at me and held her hand tentatively towards my stomach.
"May I?" She asked uncertainly.
"Of course you may…Esme you don't need to ask, you're their grandmother and I am sure they treasure your presence as much as anyone's." I took her hand and placed it against the side of my rounded tummy. I was feeling their movements more and more and I could only imagine that Esme could feel them even more so with her heightened senses.
Her eyes widened and she emitted a small gasp as they suddenly fluttered inside of me. I was sure they sensed the kindness of her heart, and the love she had for them even now. The babies seemed very aware and often reacted to outside stimuli, even when it wasn't through my reactions as they had when Jacob and Tanya had tried to hurt me.
Esme's eyes crinkled at the sides as her face broke into an exuberant smile.
"I can feel them in there…its…its like they're trying to dance around one another." She said in a voice filled with awe.
"They are very happy to be close to you, mom." Jasper said softly, seeming to sense how emotional our mother was at this moment.
Esme ducked her head, as if she was embarrassed to show so much emotion in front of her children. She cleared her throat and looked up, much more determined looking suddenly.
"What are you waiting for? Off to school before you're all late!" Esme exclaimed, her voice suddenly all motherly once more.
We all smiled as best we could before we opened the door and headed out to the cars. We had decided to take two cars now, Edward and I would take the Volvo, and Emmett , Rose, Alice and Jasper would take the Jeep, much to Rose's distaste. She wanted to take her own car since it looked much nicer.
Edward tried to look jovial as we headed out to school and I took his hand across the consol trying to reassure him.
"Edward, this will never go over as a true story if you can't bring yourself to look happy about it. Can you try to push away your worries about the Volturi, at least until they are on our doorstep? For now just focus on the babies, and what a blessing this is. Do whatever it takes to bring a real smile to your face…even if it means tormenting that guy Mike." I said in a rush of words.
I was happy to see that at least that part of my speech got a genuine laugh from him. I looked at him and saw him nodding with a slight, barely there grin, but at least it was there. I tried to figure out what I could say to make him smile a full smile like the crooked ones he always gave me.
"Besides," I pouted, trying to pull off my best Emmett expression. "I wouldn't want everyone to think you got trapped by me…would I…?" I said slowly.
The result was not the smile I had been hoping for, instead it resulted in Edward suddenly pulling the car off on the side of the road. His expression grim and serious as he turned to me.
"I would never, ever let anyone think that I am only with you because you 'trapped' me." He said fiercely. "I would shout from the rooftops how lucky I am to have such a beautiful, sweet, insightful and sexy woman to take to my bed each and every night." He continued his eyes stormy with emotions. His words almost bringing tears to my eyes.
I tried to look away from him to hide the raw emotions he was bringing to the surface, but he gently reached for my chin and eased my face so it looked at his.
"I promise when I am done, the whole world will know how lucky I am, and every guy will be wishing he had you in my place." He said. "And I will know," he said as he tapped his temple as if too remind me of h is ability…as if I could ever forget.
"Not that they would ever stand a chance." I said as I leaned in to kiss him, needing his touch to calm down the intense rush of love and possession he had just caused to flood forth from my heart at his declaration.
He slanted his body so his sensuous mouth aligned with mine and our lips met in a tender kiss that spoke volumes of our love for one another. As I pulled back, Edward wrapped an arm around me so I could snuggle into his side as he drove. He eased the car back onto the road and resumed our short journey to Forks High School.
We pulled into the familiar parking lot and Edward slipped into the parking space as if he were a professional driver. He asked me to wait as he slipped out of his seat and exited the car. I glanced through the windshield and saw Edward's brothers and sisters watching us, as well as the entire population of the school. Every face was trained in our direction as Edward came around the car and eased open my door.
He held out his hand for mine, and as soon as I was unbuckled, I obligingly slipped my warm hand into his cool one. The two created the perfect temperature. Edward helped me to my feet and I leaned into him as I got to my feet, the babies suddenly somersaulting in my belly, causing me to giggle. Edward smiled and reached down to tenderly stroke the side of my stomach, as he spoke to me softly.
"Are you ready?" He asked curiously.
"As I'll ever be." I whispered back, fully aware of our gawking audience. Edward leaned forward and kissed me once more for all to see, his lips claiming mine in a heated kiss that left me breathless. Then in a voice that would not be missed even if someone were hard of hearing he spoke.
"After you, Mrs. Cullen!" He exclaimed with a huge smile on his face.
A/N
I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote and to say that the voting is still going, so please take just a moment to pop over and vote for this story. It would mean so much to me…and it only take a few seconds to do it.
I was asked a very pertinent question, about how long this story is going to be…and to be honest I have no idea. I hope that doesn't turn anyone off of reading it. I try to update faithfully, and to keep it interesting …and a bit lemony…lol. But it is emerging as I write it. I have had no issues with writers block…nor will I as I have lots of ideas, but as I write things just seem to happen and the story creates itself. So I guess all I am saying is please just see it through, I think you'll enjoy it, no matter how long the journey.
This weeks recommendations are….(drumroll)
-Days Like This –written by Soft Ragoo -An amazing, all human fic about Pediatrician Edward who falls in love with new mom Bella. So sweet and I smile every time I find a chapter in my in box.
-Forevermore –written by Kismetian. This all human tale of love between a six year old Edward and Bella as they grown from children into adults will touch your heart.
Angel in the Attic- written by closettwilighter1 - I have recommended this one before. It is a vampire/human story about Edward seeing Alice's visions about his future mate Bella. He falls in love with the woman he sees and finally goes to search for her with unexpected, but amazing results.
Please check them out while your waiting for my next chapter…and remember to vote and Review!
Jennifer
