Lisa: *waves* Hello dear readers! Are you ready for the next installment?

Penny: I know I am! We're getting close to the end of this little tale, and I'm sure gonna miss these boys when it's done.

Lisa: Oh, me too! Thanks as ever to our lovely pre-reader Kerrfrano, and our beta extraordinaire, Harrytwifan.

Penny: You girls rock our socks! Well y'all, we won't keep you any longer. Enjoy! And in case you didn't know, we don't own Twilight.

CHAPTER 49

EPOV

October gave way to November, and the smell of woodsmoke and a chill in the air spoke of the holidays to come. I smiled as I recalled how I'd gotten here. Never in my life did I think I would be where I was; happy in my new life, watching my son grow and develop, having best friends, and the most wonderful man to love.

I stood on the porch, watching Jasper play with Matthew in the pile of leaves we'd raked earlier, and thought about all the changes that had occurred this past month.

The day after the exhibit, I had a lot of explaining to do after Jasper and I had ourselves our own little 'talk'. I was relieved when Pa told me he didn't believe I had it in me to cheat on Jasper, but Ma wasn't as easily convinced, and was on me like white on rice the second I walked into the living room. She was a formidable woman, her protectiveness over her son and grandson so fierce, she wasn't prepared to believe Emmett when he tried to assure her everything was fine. After we had a long talk, where I answered every one of her questions as honestly as I could, Ma calmed down. In the end, she hugged me and apologized for jumping to the wrong conclusion.

My father, on the other hand, wasn't so easily swayed. Once he caught wind of what happened, he summoned us both to the office that same day, demanding answers. Mom was quiet as we sat around the conference table, but her concerned expression told me she was just as worried as Dad. It took Jasper and I a long time to finally convince them things were more than fine between us. Once he seemed satisfied, Dad went on to say he'd been contacted by a few business associates who had seen the article, and were interested in making a financial contribution to the gallery.

Tanya was thrilled by the news, of course, telling me things had been crazy since my picture appeared in the paper. Not only had Tanya been fielding offers for the paintings that had already been shown, she let me know there was now an official waiting list for my work. She went on to say she'd be giving me a small advance so I could focus on creating more pieces to meet the sudden demand. Normally, once a piece was sold, the gallery would take the standard fifty percent commission. Tanya felt so guilty about doing very little to promote my work, she told me she'd be happy with a third of the sale price for anything she sold in the next six months.

My life as I knew it had been turned on its ear. Bad habits had given way to living responsibly. Self-loathing was replaced by something beyond mere acceptance of who I was. Feelings of isolation had gone, and in it's place, the knowledge that I'd never be alone again. Though I still had a ways to go regarding my confidence, I felt proud of the man I had become. Not only because I was able to do something I felt passionate about, but because I could finally look in the mirror and smile at what I saw. I was content, I realized, and though continuing to put myself out there was a scary thought, sharing all my insecurities with those I loved...knowing they'd always be there for me, made the daunting task something I knew I could handle.

I frowned as I reflected on the not so wonderful changes that had also occurred.

Two weeks after the exhibit had come and gone, we got the call that the assisted living place had a room ready for Jasper's parents. That was a rainy, blustery, sad day. Emmett and Alice were over, for support, while the nurses from the place came to collect Ma, Pa, and their things. There was much hugging and tears, and just before they left, Pa took me aside.

He thanked me for helping he and Ma, told me how I had become a second son, and how happy he was to see Jasper so happy and content. When I held out my hand for him to shake, he put his hand in mine clumsily, pressing something into it.

Confused, I looked to see a key in the palm of my hand, and I questioned him with my eyes.

"That's the key to the shed," he said, his eyes, their shape so much like Jasper's, staring intently into mine. "It's yours now, son. I hope you find peace and inspiration in her, just like I always did."

Tears filled my eyes then, and I hugged him as hard as I dared, thanking him for such a wonderful gift.

He let me go, wiped his own eyes, and waved as he got into the van.

For a long time after they left, we all stood on the porch huddled together, gathering comfort from one another.

Life continued on, and we got into a routine. Alice was over almost every day working on my website, while Jasper worked on a few short term projects my father helped line up. Alice still sat with Matthew when I couldn't be there, and I was happy to see they had formed quite the bond.

I did spend a lot of time in the shed in the evenings, painting or drawing whatever came to mind. Some of my artwork hung in the house, and some of it was stored in the shed as well as the bedroom. The sketches of Jasper that helped launch my career hung above our bed, their presence reminding me of how far I'd come.

We didn't move into his parent's room after they left. Jasper and I both agreed it would be too weird, and instead, decided to leave it for them if they ever wanted to come home.

My thoughts were brought back to the present as a smiling, flushed Jasper walked up onto the porch with an equally pink-faced Matthew. The wind had whipped up a little, and it was getting chilly.

"Get tired of the leaves yet, son?" I asked, and Jasper huffed at me while rolling his eyes.

"You really think Matthew would get tired of them so quick?" He arched a brow as he headed into the house.

"Guess not." I closed the door behind us and checked on the fire in the fireplace, while Jasper took off Matthew's coat and hat. Spreading a thick quilt on the floor, he sat Matthew down with some toys and settled on the couch to watch him.

When I finished stoking the fire, I sat on the couch next to my man and snuggled into his side. He was still cool from the outdoor air.

"How much longer on the beef stew?" I asked, letting the jumping flames in the fireplace hypnotize me pleasantly.

"I put it on four hours ago, so about an hour," Jasper replied. His hand stroked my upper arm, almost putting me to sleep.

"Good, 'cause I'm starving."

Jasper chuckled, and our tranquility was interrupted by my phone ringing from it's place on the coffee table.

Sitting up fully, I grabbed it and answered.

"Hey, Dad," I said happily.

There was a slight silence from Dad's end, and I thought I could faintly hear hospital sounds in the background.

"Dad? You there?" I asked, worry creeping into me.

"Son," Dad finally said in a broken voice. The sound caused a spike of panic to rush through me. He cleared his throat. "You need to come to Piedmont right away. It's your mother."

What the fuck?

"What do you mean, Dad?" I was on my feet in an instant. "What happened?"

"We're not sure yet. Just come, please," he pleaded.

"On my way," I told him, and ended the call.

"What's wrong?" Jasper asked the moment I slipped on my shoes and grabbed my jacket from the hook on the back of the door.

Rushing into the nursery, I picked up a diaper bag and filled it with supplies. Jasper was right on my heels, with Matthew in tow.

"What's going on, Edward?"

Not looking up from the packing of Matthew's bag, I said, "Something's happened to Mom, and Dad wants me to get to the hospital."

"Piedmont?" Jasper asked, immediately beginning to get Matthew ready.

"Yeah."

"Did Carlisle say what happened?"

"No, but he sounded very upset, and he's never like that."

"I know, angel," Jasper said, using his free hand to stroke the back of my neck. "Don't worry, though. I'm sure everything'll be okay."

"Hope so," I muttered, but smiled at his attempt to comfort me.

~HDE~

The emergency room was buzzing with people when we got there. Glad not to have to head for the waiting room, I walked ahead of Jasper to the front desk.

"Fill this out and take a seat," the nurse said, not looking up from her computer.

"No, I'm not a patient. My mother is here," I explained, a little put off by her attitude. "Esme Cullen?"

The nurse regarded me for a moment before typing on her keyboard again. God, what a bitch.

"Room six," she said. "Go on back."

"Thanks," I said as she pushed a button to unlock the door for us.

Jasper gave her the stink eye before turning dramatically and pushing the stroller toward the door, which I held open for them before rushing ahead to get to Mom's room.

There sat Dad by her bedside, head in his hands, his eyes filled with worry when he raised his head and looked at me. Placing his finger against his lips, Dad shushed us as Mom lay there, asleep.

To say he looked a little freaked out would be an understatement.

"Edward?" Mom mumbled as her eyes fluttered open, frowning as she looked at the worried faces that greeted her. I moved closer and pressed a kiss on her forehead before sitting on the edge of the bed.

"What's going on, Mom?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper, but at the same time laced with desperation.

Her face was ashen...she didn't look well at all, and Dad wasn't faring much better.

"We're not sure yet, sweetie. They've taken tests...we're just waiting to see the doctor for the results," she said. "I'm sorry we dragged you all the way out here."

"No apologizing, Mom," I admonished in a gentle voice. "So...what happened? Why were you brought in?"

"Well, I didn't feel well this morning. I was moving some shelving around in the library to make room for one of your paintings, and I started to get stomach cramps. Apparently, after that I passed out, but I was only out for a few moments" she said, trying to reassure us all. "Carlisle found me on the floor and called for an ambulance."

"Fuck," I muttered.

"Oh, hush." Her voice was weak, as was her touch when she patted my hand. "I feel alright now. I think your dad just got scared by all my swooning. Now bring over my grandbaby. I want to kiss him."

Smiling, Jasper lifted Matthew out of his stroller and sat him on the edge of Mom's bed. She held his hands and cooed at him, causing him to grin and gurgle at her. Dad watched from where he was sitting, his eyes only on Mom, trying to assess how she really felt.

The door opened suddenly, scaring the shit out of all of us, and a tall man with dark hair pulled back into a ponytail entered the room.

"Well, well, well, who do we have here?" the man asked as he glanced at me, Jasper, and Matthew.

"This is my son, Edward, his partner, Jasper, and their son Matthew." Mom smiled with pride as she introduced us.

"Ah, wonderful! I'm Doctor Jared Miller, but you can call me Doc." Dressed in khaki pants and a polo underneath his white coat, he didn't look old enough to be a doctor, but the confident way he held himself made me feel at ease in an instant.

"Nice to meet you, Doc." I nodded.

"Likewise," he said with a bright smile. "So, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, would you like for your family to remain in the room while I deliver your test results?"

"Please," Mom said, and laid her hand on mine.

"Alright," Doc said. "Congratulations are in order for you two." He nodded at my parents.

Dad frowned severely, no doubt thinking the doc was making up some elaborate joke.

"What are you talking about?" Dad demanded, looking more tired than I had ever seen him.

"You two kids are going to be parents again, in about seven months, give or take a week." Doc Miller grinned, and the room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

"Excuse me?" Dad shook his head, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Did you just say Esme was pregnant?"

"I did! I have here a list of obstetricians in the area, and urge you to find one as soon as possible for an appointment." He held up a bottle. "These are prenatal vitamins, Mrs. Cullen. Please take one a day. At night may be the best time, so you are less likely to be sick from it. I also have some pamphlets for you to read." The doctor was rambling, but I was stuck on the fact he said my mom was having a baby. What the fuck? I didn't even think she could have babies anymore!

Jasper's phone rang, bringing all of us out of our stupor. He excused himself, going outside the room to answer it.

Dad stared at Mom, speechless. "I know not to ask how, for God's sake, but I thought you were..."

"I thought I was too, dear," Mom said quietly. "Doctor...are you sure? I mean...I've had symptoms of menopause..."

"Oh, yes. Quite sure." The doctor smiled. "It's not uncommon, but we do have to make sure the fetus is healthy since you've experienced some pain. Anyway, I will leave you alone to absorb the news. I'll be back later to check on you, but if the rest of the tests come back all clear, you should be able to go home in the morning."

"Damn," Dad mused. My father stood there, wide-eyed and dumbstruck. "I can't believe it."

"Oh, Carlisle, please tell me you're not upset," Mom begged.

I decided to get the hell out of there, because with the look of complete and utter shock on Dad's face, I knew both he and Mom needed time alone to digest the news.

Standing, I took Matthew and buckled him back into his stroller.

"I'm going to leave you two to talk, okay?" I said softly, and they looked from each other to me.

"Okay, son," Dad said as he moved to sit beside Mom. "I'll be right out."

Nodding, I walked over, kissed my mother on the cheek, and told her I was happy for them. She thanked me, and I slipped out of the room with Matthew.

I found Jasper in the hall, laughing into the phone.

"You gotta be shittin' me, man. There's nothing you can do. It's there and that's it!" He saw me and paused. "Hang on, Em. Let me call you right back."

He shoved his phone in his pocket and closed the gap between us.

"They alright?"

"They will be, yeah," I said, my mind going in a thousand different directions.

"And you?" His eyes were clouded with concern.

"Oh, I'm fine, just surprised is all."

"Not as much as they are, I bet." Jasper let out a nervous laugh.

"Yeah, no shit. I just can't believe I'm going to have a baby brother or sister."

Before Jasper had a chance to say anything, Mom's door opened and Dad came out. His face still had no color, not even his lips.

"Dad?" I asked, concerned.

"Son." Dad sighed, leaning against the wall next to me. "I can't believe it. Your mom and I thought our time for babies was in the past." His eyes darted to Matthew, and then met with mine as he turned to face me.

"Dad," I whispered as I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure you'll both do fine. I mean, look at how you and Mom are with Matthew."

He shook his head, and I'd never seen him this uncertain before. "You of all people know it's not the same. For heaven's sake, Edward, your mother and I will be the ones responsible for...for..."

He lowered his eyes, unable to look at me. His brow creased in a deep v as he tried to find the words. I knew he was freaking out. I mean, hell, I could understand why. Not only was there the unexpected shock of the fact he was going to be a father again, but without Dad having to say a word, I knew he was worried he'd fuck things up with their new baby.

"And you'll do a fantastic job, I just know it," I said in a calm, confident voice, squeezing my father's shoulder firmly.

Jasper's proud smile as he watched this little moment between father and son made my heart clench. It was no secret he loved the fact that my dad and I had a wonderful relationship now. He, of all people, knew how life could turn on a dime.

"How could you even say that?" Dad questioned in a small voice.

"Because as much as things weren't easy back then, for either of us, you're here now...supporting me in everything I do." I gave Dad an assuring smile.

He looked at me, his ice blue eyes warm, but at the same time pleading. "How can you be so sure? I may have redeemed myself somewhat, but I still haven't exactly been a model father."

"I haven't always been the most forthcoming son, either. Just embrace who they are, remember to skip the being an ass part, and you'll do fine."

Jasper burst out laughing at my joke, and Dad merely shook his head.

"Easier said than done," Dad snapped, but the grin that slowly but surely broke across his face told me his worry of moments ago was beginning to dissipate. Dad thanked me and went back into the room, sending us on our way.

During the entire ride home, Jasper's face fixed in a broad grin as he silently stared out the window at the city lights, his phone intermittently beeping with incoming texts. Something was up. I had no idea what, but I intended on finding out.

"You okay?" I squeezed Jasper's thigh to get his attention.

"Huh? Oh, sure." Distracted, he offered me a quick smile before staring at his phone, then out the window again.

"Hmmm...somehow I don't believe you," I whispered breathlessly, my fingers gripping the inside of his thigh before working their way upward.

"Edward," he warned, placing his hand on top of mine, his actions halting my movements.

"Okay, now I'm getting worried. What's got you so all over the place?"

"Just a lot of thoughts in my head," he answered, winding our fingers together and smiling at me.

"Okay," I said, letting it go for the moment. Maybe later, after we were in bed, I could get him to talk.

The rest of the ride was spent with minimal conversation. Dusk turned to night, and when we got home, Matthew was sleeping.

I carried him in and headed for the nursery while Jasper dished up our dinner. Deciding to have our food in the living room, Jasper sat on the couch while I sat on the floor in front of him, the coffee table between us. While I was putting Matthew to bed, Jasper had built the fire up, and it was crackling merrily behind me, the warmth welcome on my back.

I tried to take my time eating, even though I was ravenous. It was still fairly early, but all I really wanted to do was cuddle with Jasper under the covers of our warm bed.

Later that night, I laid awake, thinking about Mom and Dad. I felt sorry for Dad, really, for him thinking he would screw up with this new baby. Didn't he realize it was me who made all those problems for myself? He and Mom had known I was gay. If I had just pushed aside the fear and came out to them, I wouldn't have ended up the mess I became. I wished I could make Dad realize that.

Jasper shifted beside me, interrupting my thoughts. I thought he was already asleep.

"You okay, love?" I asked in a whisper.

"Yeah. I was just thinking," he answered, running his thumb along my cheekbone.

Leaning into the touch, I asked, "About what?"

"Emmett. You know how he called me earlier?"

"Yes," I answered, reaching out to push his hair behind his ear.

"Well," he continued, "he was freaking out because apparently, Alice is late for her period. She had just used a home pregnancy test when he called, and it was positive."

My eyes widened. "She's pregnant?"

"Seems so. They're going to see a doctor tomorrow to find out for sure."

"Wow. So...they both okay with it?"

"I think so, though Em was freaking a little."

"Weird day, huh?"

"Yeah. It's nice though." He moved closer and rested his head on my shoulder. "Our little family is growing, and I love it."

"Yeah," I agreed, "and I love you."

As he let out a tiny moan and wrapped his arms and legs around mine, we kissed slow and deep. I couldn't help but think about our own future, and about how just one more thing would make it complete...

Thanks for reading! Until next time...

Penny and Lisa.