Stephenie Meyer owns all characters...
This will be the last chapter. There will be a lengthy epilogue. And please don't take this story off alert yet. I may just do two epilogues. One from Edward and another from Bella, both in the future. And I may post outtakes. I love this story so much and it has become such a huge part of me. I love all the fans and your kind words that have encouraged me to keep writing. I love these two and the whole family dynamic that I created. I honestly think that this story has possibly run it's course. But I am totally obsessed with it and sad that I decided to end it. Once again, I do not own the characters, but you guys get what I'm saying. Lmao.
Keep Bon Secours on alert. And I want to say a huge Thank you, to everyone who has reviewed and showed their continued support. Please review this chapter. Let me know if you hate me for ending this or if your glad. Let me know what you all think. Thanks again.
~~~Bella~~~
"Go try this on-" I grimaced as I looked down at the blouse Alice was holding.
"But it's orange," I pushed her hand away.
"It is not." She protested.
"I think- it's more of a dark salmon." Rose pursed her lips.
I'm not exactly sure which is more exhausting. The never ending task of raising children or spending the day shopping with Alice and Rose.
Rose, who is now hugely pregnant. She's due in a few weeks and should be at home resting. Any other time, she's tired and complaining, not while she's shopping. She had a new light in her eyes and a pep to her step.
Alice, all she did was shop, insist I try on clothes, and complain about Jasper. She was also on edge today. I wasn't sure what was up with her. She was her eager self, as she shopped, but she wasn't as bubbly as usual? I don't know. The shirt is proof that she's not in sound mind. But I'll leave her alone. She's with both Rose and I. She'll open up eventually.
Also, I didn't come out to shop for myself anyway. EJ needed new clothes and Edward needs some new shirts. CC is still young enough to not care that he's wearing EJ's old clothes, we have years until he even figures it out. Why buy what you already have? I told the same thing to Alice. She just likes to spend money. I believe that even though we have it, we shouldn't waste it.
By now, Edward didn't own a button down shirt that wasn't stained with baby vomit. Carlisle told him to stop coming into the office looking so sloppy. And Edward hated shopping just as much as I did. Maybe even more. The few times we've gone shopping together, he sits out on the benches with the boys and whines, until it's time to go home.
"I don't care-" I pushed the blouse away again. "It's hideous and I'll stick out like a sore thumb," It really is ten shades of awful. What is Alice thinking?
"It's in style." Rose said. "Wish they had it in my size-" She absentmindedly rubbed her stomach.
"It's not in style," I laughed. "I haven't seen anyone wear anything like this-" I flailed out one of the long sleeves that had small holes along it, before it puffed out. Seriously, what is Alice thinking?
"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different." Alice said. Huh? That sounded a little too profound coming from her mouth.
"In who's words?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Coco Chanel," She pushed the blouse into my chest. "Now go try it on-" She turned back to look at Rose.
"Rose, give Bella a kiss, she needs convincing. Since your brother doesn't do it for her anymore," I rolled my eyes.
"What do you say Bella- In for a muff dive?" Rose winked, as the two of them giggled and gave each other a mock kiss. Then Alice reached up and palmed Rose's breasts. I snatched the blouse out of Alice's hands, with a huff, and went into the dressing room. I doubt I'll ever live that down.
Apparently over a month ago, while high on drugs, I wanted to kiss Lauren.
Edward's ex-girlfriend Lauren. I didn't remember offering or in Edward's words, so willingly obliged, as he held me back. I didn't remember that and he called me a liar. Telling me that ecstasy wasn't that kind of drug and I should recall the night with perfect clarity, just like he did. Truthfully, the night was one huge blur. I remember witnessing the orgy, well the heavy make-out session with multiple parties.
Remembering it the day after, sickened me. People aren't who you think they are in the slightest. Everyone has dirty little secrets or secret lifestyles. Nevertheless, I don't remember it.
A few weeks ago, we had Sunday dinner at our house. After dinner our gossiping husbands hung out in the basement, while us ladies watched the children and gossiped as well. With my mother and Esme occupied, I confided in my sister and Rose. I told them everything that happened that night and what Edward said I 'supposedly' did.
Both Alice and Rose berated me for the activities that Edward and I participated in, Rose was a little more forgiving than Alice was though, since she already knew from Edward, who I guess softened the blow. But all that didn't matter. To them, I was a 'dumb bitch'. Scratch that 'A dumb bitch, with lesbian tendencies'.
I agreed with them, not about the lesbian thing, about everything else. It was totally childish and will never happen again. I'm a wife and mother now, right? Alice nearly screamed at me for being 'So fucking stupid'. I rolled my eyes when she said that. She's one to talk. She and Jasper used to party heavily, before they got married, before they had kids. And that's exactly what Alice reminded me. They did that shit before they had kids. Rose agreed with her and once again so did I.
It was so fucking stupid and I regretted it the day after, ashamed of myself. I am also ashamed of the shirt I just put on. Ugh! This thing is fucking hideous. I quickly tore it off and donned my boring black sweater, as Alice referred to it.
Needless to say, they still both poke fun at me. They call me carpet muncher, muff diver, and before I put this sweater on earlier, I was wearing a flannel shirt, and earned the title 'butch'.
When the word left Alice's mouth, Butch the dog, stood at attention in front of her.
Edward thought it was hilarious. He laughed at me and called me his sexy butch. I gave him the finger, kissed the boys goodbye, and followed Alice out to my minivan. She had walked over, eager to go shopping, not bothering to wait for me to pick her up. She was also anxious to get out of the house. I was glad she came by though and said that. It would have been so much worse when we picked up Rose, if I was still wearing the flannel shirt.
Once again, I doubt I will ever live that down. I was just curious, never having been to a club, never seeing the NYC nightlife, and what other people do on Saturday nights. It was completely wild and weird. People take ecstasy all the time. From what I heard from Alice, years ago, it was a great experience. All your anxiety and cares just melt away. You feel fantastic. She was right.
She was also correct that Sunday night, when she told me that ecstasy isn't produced by Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson. That I could have taken rat poison and been none the wiser. We knew Randall, but did we know where he purchased his drugs from or who made them? No-we didn't.
For the few hours that both Edward and I were high, we felt great. I also hugged Irina and told her that I loved her? Okay, I still do love her, I remember loving everyone that night, even the bouncer who I mumbled it to as we were leaving. Like I said, the night was a blur of activity and I remember glimpses, but not everything.
Irina's bitchiness towards me doesn't change that I love her. Yet, I still have no desire to talk to her until she gets her head out of her ass.
The next day, it was hell. Enough for me to never want to do it again. Not to mention my poor vagina and my thighs. That shit was killer. I felt so miserable, I blamed Edward. Stating 'You're a doctor, you should have known better.' I quickly took it back. He didn't want to try it, I did, and like the good wife I am, I took him down with me. Stupid, stupid Bella!
"It looked worse on." I said, joining them.
"I bet it looked great." Alice stuck her tongue out at me.
"Whatever, can we just go- we have everything we set out to get." I grabbed my purchases from her feet.
"I don't want to leave yet-" Rose pouted.
It was close to five. We promised the guys we would be back by then. Edward had sent me a text twenty minutes ago, telling me he and the boys were at Alice's house already. We were all supposed to have dinner together. Thank God we're going to Alice's, I think my house has been trashed enough lately. It's better when it's spread around. It's madness when we're all get together. But I love it. It's what's normal to me now.
"Yeah and just like Edward, all your clothes are stained too. You'll need a few nice outfits for the restaurant." I sighed, relenting, and looked through the sales rack at H&M. I doubt they'll miss us if we took a little longer.
Rose was right though. The past week I have been going to her restaurant a few hours every night, while Emmett trained me. Emmett was going to need help running the place in a few weeks and after Esme offered to keep an eye on the boys during the day, I happily agreed. They didn't want to hire someone, only to have to get rid of them after a short period of time. Although, I myself wondered when and how Rose will be able to get back to work, with raising a newborn and trying to run a business simultaneously.
Plus, I have a few years of experience. It's funny how now, I miss being a tech, and when I was a tech, I missed being a waitress. And while I was a waitress, I briefly trained to be a supervisor, before Jake had a problem with it. It was going to take up most of my time, that and I was already going to school, so I declined the promotion, after training for two weeks. The manager was furious with me for wasting his time, but he got over it. After all, I was one of his best servers.
The manager that they do have, only works weekends. I trained with him last night, while Esme watched the boys. He's a nice guy and is a full time student. Emmett and Rose initially asked him to take over the task of running the place during the day. However, due to his schedule, he simply couldn't.
Rose, Emmett, and Paul had faith in me. They think I'll be great and I just hope that I won't let them down. It's basically part-time anyway. I'll be there from 10 AM until 3PM, when Emmett will come to take over. So far, I trained mostly at night and the dinner rush is just incredible. I doubt the lunch shift will be any different, except that it's slower.
The other task that I agreed to, involved picking the girls up from school. I've done so already a few times, when Rose was tired or was occupied by the restaurant. Sometimes I bring them home to Rose and sometimes I bring them to our house. On the days that I have to drop them off at the restaurant, they get excited. They love it and it's like a second home to them. I wondered what they did while they were there. Rose told me that they do their homework, follow Emmett around, and pretend to be waitresses. I thought that was adorable.
They also admitted that sometimes managing the place during the evening can be overwhelming. That after I pick up the girls and drop them off, sometimes I will have to go back and give Emmett a hand. Everything was really up in the air. I was told to go with the flow.
Edward honestly didn't care what I did, as long as I was happy while doing it. But I think it has more to do with the fact that I will still be home by the time he is. He does wish that after Rose comes back, that I will think about going back to school. I have thought about it and I always thought I would go back after the boys were in school.
If I was to go to school now, by the time the boys go to school, I could already be a graduate, and possibly a professional at whichever career path I decide to go down.
My decision was made.
Since everything is still up in the air, regarding time lines, I will wait and enroll when my time at the restaurant is through.
Edward suggested that we pay Alice to watch the boys, while I go to school. I didn't even want to bring it up to her. She'd have five kids to look after. Crazy!
Esme doesn't work, but I felt bad taking up most of her time already, even though she doesn't mind. We haven't broached the subject with her either. I think our best bet is to hire someone and not bother our family.
Edward still insists that we ask Alice. She's not working, hasn't been since the twins were born, and he'd rather pay family than a stranger. Jasper and Alice live comfortably, but if she keeps shopping like this, they may need the money.
Aha! Something I would wear.
"What do you think about this one?" I asked holding up the black sweater. It will look perfect with a pair of khaki pants or a skirt.
"You're wearing the exact same one-" Alice laughed pointing, I looked down. It was black knit, just like the one I was wearing, but it wasn't the same. The one I wanted had a braiding down the center.
"How bout this, with some black tights?" Alice waved around a long purple off the shoulder blouse. I scrunched up my nose at it. It's not something I could wear while working. But it is kind of pretty. Where would I wear it? I shrugged and draped it over my arm. I liked it and it was my size, no need to try it on.
This would have been perfect for Valentine's day. Too bad. I was wearing sweat pants and looked a mess, when Edward came home and insisted we go out to eat.
This year Valentine's day landed on a Tuesday and I was told by Emmett to enjoy the holiday with Edward, instead of coming in, assuring me that after I witnessed the craziness of Valentine's day at the restaurant, I would never want to come back.
When Edward called, I didn't think anything of it. I figured we would order out or something. Because Edward asked me not to cook. Little did he know that I actually became too wrapped up in a fanfic to prepare dinner.
It was an interesting story called 'Doorways in America'. It featured a human Stefan, making his journey from Italy to NYC, where he encounters a vampire Elena. The author hasn't had much feedback and doesn't think she'll continue with it. I wrote a lengthy review nearly begging her to. It really is an awesome story.
Wearing jeans and another sweater, we went to the diner with the boys. It was great, a little loud for romantic conversation, but I was surrounded by all three of my Valentine's. And after they were asleep, we humped like rabbits. Somethings never change. Well no, they do, considering we haven't had sex since then and that was five days ago.
Of what I've heard from the mouths of Rose and Alice, when I whined about it earlier, 'five days ain't shit'.
As per Alice, she and Jasper have only had sex twice since Maddy's been born, which was almost three months ago. Damn. They've just been busy, Jasper with work, Alice with potty training the twins, and caring for Maddy. She whined earlier too. Said her crotch was aching. I know what that feels like. I bet she pounces on him later. It is the weekend. Plus Alice will need a way to come down from her shopping high and let go of whatever frustration is eating at her.
Rose said that she and Emmett haven't had sex in over a month. She's just not in the mood. And he doesn't complain because he's over the moon with joy. He's finally getting his boy. Soon there will be another EJ running around, Emmett Jr.
I gave Rose a wary glance. She moaned out a labored breath and held her stomach. Shit. Did I jinx her? I thought soon, not today.
"You okay?" I asked. Alice turned her attention to Rose, staring wide eyed.
"Think so-" Rose let out a shaky laugh.
"Maybe we should go." Alice suggested.
"Yeah-" I placed the clothes I had back on the rack.
"No-no at least pay for the stuff-" Rose let out a small whimper and reached out to grab my shoulder.
"No, we should go now." I said, turning to Alice. Rose nodded.
"Are you in labor?" Alice asked. "Or-" She let the word hang in the air.
"It was definitely a contraction-" Rose started.
"We have to get to the hospital!" Alice shouted panicked. Why is she so panicky? I pinched her forearm.
"Watch the hands lesbo-" She scoffed, rubbing her arm.
"Shut- up and stop panicking." I cut her off. "Let's go."
Alice took Rose's bags from her and the three of us rapidly left the store. We walked as fast as we possibly could out to the parking lot.
"Guys- guys calm down. This could take hours." Rose laughed.
"Get in the fucking car Rose!" Alice bellowed.
Jesus. Between the three of us, we have seven kids the eighth on the way right now, you'd think we'd be calmer. I was okay, but Alice...Alice was scaring me. She had me slightly panicking, not Rose.
"I'll call Emmett. Bella you drive, I simply can't." I rolled my eyes at Alice and her dramatic display. We took my car, of course I'm driving. Rose laughed as I strapped her seat belt on.
"I'm fine Bella, really."
"I know-" I pecked her cheek and squeezed her hand.
"Drive whore, this isn't the time to be fresh!" I laughed at Alice, closing the door, and ran up to the driver's side, getting in.
I started the car, put on my seat belt, and put some music on. Rose looked calm and maybe music will calm Alice, who was shaking in her seat next to me.
"We have to hurry. Let's just go to Orange regional, it's closer." Alice shouted.
"Ali, please calm down and stop shouting." I chuckled, pulling out of the spot.
"No- take me to Bon Secours. Did you call Emmett yet?" Rose shouted.
"Did you see me call Emmett?" Alice snapped. "-and you better drive fast!" She shouted. I put the car in park, once I was in the lane, and reached out grasping Alice's shoulders.
"What the fuck is the matter with you? Calm down." I shook her.
"I think I'm pregnant again!" She shouted, on the verge of tears. I stared at her blankly, as the tears welled up in her eyes and threatened to spill over.
Rose groaned loudly and brought me out of the trance like state.
"It's a fucking disease!" Rose screamed. I gulped and turned my attention back to the road.
"Yeah, it is a disease," Alice agreed. "-and we caught it from Bella. This is her fault."
"What?" I asked. Bitch has lost her mind...
"You had to get pregnant and then you did it again. You make it look all easy. You treat Edward like a king- making our husbands jealous. As soon as you got pregnant, Jazz hounded me about having another baby. I said no and then Maddy was conceived. But that's okay because I love my baby girl-" Alice kept on with her rant, none of which made sense or effectively proved her point. Ten minutes later she was still going, Rose nodding along with her. How could she nod? It made no sense to me.
"Bottom line is, is that we were perfectly happy and underwhelmed with the kids we did have, and you started a trend-"
"I did not-" I started.
"-and now, Jazz has to ask me 'Ali, why can't you be more like your sister?' He doesn't say what he's really thinking. Why can't you be more like Bella? Be subordinate and multiply. Because that's your duty as a house wife. What the fuck Bella? No-excuse me, what the fuck Mrs Cleaver?"
"It's Mrs Cullen," I smirked.
"Oh what the fuck ever-" And she kept going and going...
"Shut-up!" I shouted, having enough of her shit. We're sisters and her words aren't hurtful, I guess they would be, if they were true.
"If anyone knows the hardships of having two kids back to back, it's me-" I pointed to myself. "And prego-saurus back there-" I jerked my thumb back to Rose.
"You also know how overwhelmed I am on a daily basis. Things are only just starting to slow down to some semblance of normalcy. None of this shit is easy- and I'm sorry if you feel I started a trend. But the bottom line is, my dear sister, is that you getting pregnant is not my fault. Maybe you should tell Jazz to practice safe sex on the couch and keep your fucking legs closed." I drew in a deep breath and felt so much better.
"How dare you!" Alice seethed. I rolled my eyes at her.
"Quiet!" Rose shouted. "Can't you two hookers keep it down a God damn minute, so that maybe I can call my husband and tell him that his son is making his way out of my vagina?" Both Alice and I quieted.
"Bella-" I glanced at Rose in the rear view mirror. "You did start a trend. Now I'm not saying that you meant to. But as soon as EJ was born, our husbands wanted more children." Alice gave me a smug smile. "Don't you smile at her-" Rose yanked Alice's hair. "She's right. If you didn't want another baby, you should have taken precautions-" Alice squeaked a response. "Or kept your fucking legs closed. A huh- yeah I said it. And get over it."
"Thank you," I whispered.
"I get the day off and have to be referee to another set of sisters. I'll tell you the same thing I tell them, you guys are sisters, you love each other, and shouldn't be fighting."
"But she started it-" Alice pouted. Oh God... I internally sighed.
"I don't care who started it. It ends now, are we clear?"
"Yes ma'am." Alice and I said in unison, followed by our collected giggles.
"Just get me to the hospital, after that I don't care if you two kill each other." I snorted. Rose sounded so much like mom.
Alice didn't say anything more after that and quietly stared out the window, as we drove along I-84.
I heard Rose in the back, calling Emmett, putting the call on speaker. He, the guys, and all our kids, were going to meet us at the hospital. He was very calm and excited. Telling Rose that everything was going to be okay and he was going to call Carlisle, Esme, her doctor, and the hospital to announce her soon arrival. I smiled. Emmett's a big goon, but he's such a sweetheart, a calm sweetheart. He took care of Edward and I when EJ was born. When I think back, I don't think we could have gotten to the hospital without him. My Edward was a nervous wreck.
"So what makes you think you're pregnant?" I asked Alice.
"I'm late-" She whispered.
"How late?" Rose grunted out, her face contorted in pain.
"Just a week and a half." Alice shrugged.
"That's nothing." I laughed. "Don't freak yourself out until you know for sure." I reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. It definitely isn't nothing, not when I know Alice hasn't been late ever. And Alice knew every time she was pregnant, before taking a test.
"I know my body-" Yes, she does.
"But you also just had a baby three months ago, you're still adjusting." Rose panted out.
"She's right." I hoped. "Get a test tomorrow. One of those early detection ones. If you're pregnant, it should show on a test right? The one I took with CC said it can detect the pregnancy hormone five days before your missed period."
"That one is called First response-" Rose said. I nodded.
"Yeah- tomorrow." Alice whispered.
"No, let's stop at Rite-aid on the way to the hospital. The suspense will kill me." Rose said. I chuckled, as I exited the high-way, hoping she wasn't serious.
I continued to drive, by the insistence of Rose and Alice, to Rite-aid. I didn't bother to argue. After all, Rose's water hasn't broken yet. For all we know it could be false labor.
Alice grabbed her wallet out of her purse and rapidly ran in.
Rose and I waited patiently for her. Emmett had called and asked where the hell we were, considering our whole family was at the hospital. And Rose was not.
"Um- how far along are they?" I asked.
"I haven't been counting. But I've only had three." She shrugged. I nodded.
I really hope Alice isn't pregnant. For her sake and the sake of her family, that will have to listen to her bitch and moan for another nine months.
"What's taking her so long?" I said to myself, staring out the passenger side window, into the store. She's been in there ten minutes already. How long does it take to grab it and pay for it?
"Uh Bella?"
"Yeah?" I turned back to Rose.
"My um water just broke. I'm so sorry. I'll pay to have the upholstery cleaned." I smiled, as my stomach rolled. I'm not sure if it was out of disgust or nerves.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it." I assured her. Totally fucking gross!
I shrugged it off and turned to look back into the store. WTF is taking her so long? If Rose's water broke, she needs to get to the hospital as soon as possible. Then again, I didn't have EJ till eight hours after my water broke. I know women have it a lot worse. As that night wore on and so did the labor, a nurse told me that she's had patients be in labor for much longer, she stated that one woman was in labor for twenty two hours. I thought she was exaggerating. But hey, you never know-
Epidural or not, eight hours was enough. Come to think of it, that was nothing compared to CC's birth, with what happened before and after. That kid better become a doctor like his father and find the cure for fucking cancer for the shit he put me through, while I was bringing him into the world.
In my peripheral, I saw Rose moving to the opposite side of the back seat.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"It's wet over there." She grimaced.
"So are you, don't spread it-" I nearly shouted, worried about my back seat. She stared at me blankly. Relax Bella, it's just a car. "I'm sorry. Do as you wish," I waved my hand in exasperation. My whole back seat is probably covered in goo. I saw Alice skip her way out of the store and moved her purse off the seat. Where did that come from? I asked myself, as my eyes saw the small stain.
"What the hell?" I asked, taking a napkin and wiping at it. Holy shit, it's blood. Oh God, the back seat is covered in goo and Alice got her period, leaving the evidence in my car. At least she's not pregnant.
"What took you so long?" Rose asked Alice, when she opened the door. I gritted my teeth, not wanting to lash out at Alice. She barely had the door closed as I was pulling off.
"Seat belt bitch-" I hissed in her direction.
"Look who's all testy now." She poked my side.
"My water broke." Rose laughed.
"Eiwww, in the back seat, that's gross." Alice laughed.
"That's the least of my worries-" I sighed.
"Well, what took you so long?" Rose asked again.
"I'M NOT PREGNANT!" Alice shouted excitedly, practically dancing in her seat. "I asked the manager if I could use the bathroom and before I could pee on the stick, I saw red. Literally!" She clapped.
"Yeah, I saw red too-" the monster within was simmering down. "When we get to the hospital, you might want to change into something you bought. Or borrow some scrub pants." I said.
"Oh I know-" Alice smiled. "I'm just so happy not to be pregnant. I'm not even embarrassed. I'll wear the stain proudly- no I can put on those new jeans, for this momentous occasion." She squealed.
"Yeah, we should be fucking sterilized." Rose laughed. "But I hate to break it to you sweetheart, as you know I got my period in July, then found out I was already six weeks pregnant-"
"La la la la-" Alice stuck her fingers in her ears and repeated her childish mantra.
"All I'm saying, is that you should take the test anyway." Rose shouted over her. Crap, she's right.
"Ali!" I shouted to get her to shut up. "She's right. That shit happens. You can't be too sure."
Alice ignored us the rest of the drive to the hospital. When we pulled up, Emmett was already waiting outside with a wheel chair.
"Where is everyone?" I asked as I helped Emmett, ease Rose into the chair.
"The waiting room in maternity." I nodded and pecked Rose's cheek.
"We'll be up in a minute." I told her.
"Yeah, hurry. I think Edward might lose it." I furrowed my brows at Emmett.
"Lose it?" I asked.
"EJ keeps crying for you. Edward says he's just fussy. But I think he's underestimating him. After all the last time we were all convened in a waiting room, without you- you were uh- We gotta go." Emmett quickly turned from me and wheeled Rose into the hospital.
Huh? I stoically walked back into the car and put on my seat belt. EJ couldn't possibly remember that, could he? He wasn't even a year old when I had CC. I parked in the first available spot, anxious to get up to EJ.
"Can you get me those jeans-" Alice smiled sweetly at me. "Please!"
"Fine." I huffed, yanking off the seat belt. "Which bag?"
"You know what- grab me the sweats out of the Old Navy bag." I nodded and shut the door, walking around to the hatch. I grabbed the sweats and reentered the van.
"Here-" I tossed them over to her. "and hurry up."
"No peeking- freak." She giggled, taking off her pants.
"I think I've seen you naked more than Edward-" I laughed, looking out the window.
"That only happened once." She giggled. I quickly turned to face her.
"What only happened once?" I asked.
"Edward seeing me naked." I squeaked a response. That's not what I meant. When has my husband seen my sister naked? And why didn't I know about it?
"Why are you staring at me? You're really freaking me out. Are you confused or something?" She laughed, pulling up the sweats. I continued to stare at her.
"Oh God Bella, if you are that's okay. It's okay to be confused. You know Rose and I are only kidding around when we tease you. I went through this phase where I-"
"When?" I blurted out.
"I was a sophomore in college. Jazz and I were going through some rough times and I had this friend-" Alice didn't know Edward back then. Oh she's talking about- wow- she's the freak, not I.
"Ugh not that-" I slapped her shoulder. "But you will tell me the rest of that story." I waved my finger at her.
"When did Edward see you naked? And why don't I know about it? Isn't that something married people tell each other? I mean that time Jazz walked in on me taking a shit, I told you. And then we all laughed about it. Why don't I know this?" I raved.
"If I remember correctly, Jazz and I laughed about it, you were mortified. You screamed at him from the top of your lungs and dad ran upstairs, calling Jazz a pervert for walking in on a sixteen year old girl-" Now Alice was in hysterics. "Bathrooms lock for a reason, but I too have learned that lesson-" She kept laughing.
"When?" I asked again.
"When we were at Long Beach Island, a few weeks before CC was born." I nodded. Going to the beach became a habit after Memorial day. Jazz, Alice, and the kids came down with us more than the rest. Carlisle and Esme bought a house that they rarely went to. Maybe this summer they'll spend more time there. Or they can just sell us the house. Can't wait to go back- I'm getting off track...
"Why did he see you naked?" I asked.
"Stop being so insecure. It's not like he could fully appreciate this bod-" she ran her hands down her torso. "I was pregnant."
"I'm not being insecure, just curious."
"He walked in while I was getting out of the shower. I forgot to lock the door- it was a stupid mistake. But... I mean, if the door is closed, that means knock right?"
"At home we keep the bathroom doors closed because of Butch." Drinking water out of the toilet is one thing, but Butch has to get it all over the seat. Shit. I hope Edward remembered to feed him before he left.
"Whatever- he turned away so fast, I doubt he saw anything." She shrugged. "Now let's go."
I sighed and left the car, linking my arm with Alice's as we walked into the hospital, straight to the restroom, where Alice took care of her little problem, since she didn't have a tampon with her in Rite-Aid.
We then walked towards the elevators. We waited forever. Somethings never change...There was even the signature 'Out of Order' sign on one of them. I swear this hospital is ancient. Even with the new staff and upgraded status, the building is still very old. Can't they renovate with all the new money pouring in? Or maybe have working elevators?
During the ride up to the third floor, Alice told me the story she started in the car. She met some chick in a band. So cliché. And long story short, they kissed a few times, with some heavy petting. Then Alice shocked the shit out of me and said that the last time she hung out with said chick, Desiree, Jasper joined in on the fun, bringing them out of whatever funk they were in as a couple.
"Did you, you know-" I brought my middle and index fingers up to my mouth and wiggled my tongue between them.
"No-" Alice scoffed and looked to the floor. She was lying. "-and don't do that gesture. It's very unbecoming of you." I laughed.
"And you having sex with a girl isn't?" I joked. Who says 'unbecoming'?
"It only happened once." I smirked at her.
"What was it like?" I asked. The elevator dinged and we arrived at the third floor.
"Oh I was so drunk, I barely remember a thing." she was lying again and I let her, officially dropping the subject. Maybe not...
"Okay, well stop calling me derogatory homosexual names and I won't tell anyone." I hedged.
"You wouldn't dare. But you're right. It has run it's course." She laughed. "I'll find some other way to abuse you. Love ya sissy!"
"Love you too." I am so telling Edward later. No- then he'll make fun and say lesbianism is a sisterly Swan thing.
When we entered the waiting room, the twins flocked to Alice and EJ squirmed to get out of Edward's arms. Edward put him down and he ran to my legs, flailing his arms out, demanding I pick him up. I did so willingly and hugged him tight, placing a loud kiss on his forehead. I smiled pulling back and noticed he had a bump, just under his hair line. I walked us over towards Edward and CC, sitting down next to them.
"What happened to his head?" I turned to Jasper when he started to laugh loudly. Edward gulped and looked to the floor.
"Love-" He looked to me. "I may have dropped him." I bit my lip, in order not to laugh.
"May have? As in you don't know?" I asked.
"He dropped him alright." Jasper laughed. "Right on the floor. The poor kid started screaming and screaming-"
"Jazz!" Edward warned then turned back to me. "He was fussy to begin with when we got here. And he kept squirming and pushing to get away from me. I think he hates me." Edward pouted. I felt bad. Maybe I should confess to my own mistakes and make him feel better. I grabbed his hand.
"It's okay-" I chuckled. "And he does not hate you." I shook my head. EJ lights up whenever Edward comes home from work. "He just missed me. I'm with him practically 24/7." I shrugged and bent down to place a kiss on CC's cheek. He was asleep in his car seat. Fuck. He's not going to sleep tonight. At least he's quiet now.
With EJ in my arms, I went to move CC over to another chair, so that I can sit next to Edward. Edward caught on and placed CC on the other side of him.
"If you must know-" I whispered in Edward's ear. "EJ rolled off the changing table a few months ago, while I was grabbing more wipes. I turned around for a second, just a second. That's it. These things happen, so don't feel bad about it." Edward let out a breath.
"Thank God-" I raised an eyebrow at him. "No seriously, I felt like crap. You just made me feel so much better-" He tossed my hair away from my neck. "Then again you always do-" He placed a kiss under my ear. I shivered. Somethings never change...
"I missed you today." He kissed my cheek.
"I missed you too." I giggled.
"Did you buy anything for me at the mall?" He asked. I nodded.
"I bought you two white button downs, a blue one, a green one, and Alice made me buy you a pink one-" He made a face. "Alice says it's in style." I shrugged.
"I wasn't referring to my business attire-" He rubbed circles into my thigh. That naughty, naughty boy. He was asking about lingerie. Shit. We never even went into Victoria's Secret.
"Sorry-" I smiled sheepishly at him. "We were about to when Rose went into labor." I'll blame the pregnant lady. That will work.
"Liar-" He grinned. "It's okay. I like you in my clothes, you can wear the pink button down. Did she pick out a tie to go with it?"
"She did." I smiled.
"Well then maybe you should just wear the tie and nothing else covering that sexy body." He pecked my nose, while visions of Julia Roberts in 'Pretty Woman' danced in my head. That was a hot scene. Then another scene popped through. Now if only we owned a piano? Why the hell didn't we own a piano? Edward owns a piano, it's just at his parents house. I've been dying to be ravished on that fucking thing. Edward has an expensive keyboard set-up in the basement. If we had sexy time on that we'd break it.
"That's my favorite outfit on you, your birthday suit." I giggled. But that statement reminded me of something, I turned to face him.
"Why didn't you tell me you saw Alice naked?" I meant to whisper it, but that's not the way it came out.
"Dude!" Jasper shouted, while Alice laughed beside him.
"You didn't tell him?" I asked Alice. She shook her head no and Edward straightened up in his chair.
"It wasn't a big deal-" He turned to Jasper. "And I didn't see anything. I forgot to knock on the bathroom door, last time we were at the shore. I swear, I saw nothing." Jasper chuckled and smirked at me. What is that look for?
"Well then I guess we're even." Jasper laughed.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Edward shouted standing up. I quickly pulled him down. Possessive freak.
"He walked in once while I was using the bathroom-"
"Oh my God-" Jasper shouted in a high pitched voice. "Get out! Get out! Oh my God." He cradled his mid-section and I finally caught on that he was mimicking me.
"Very funny-" I giggled. Alice almost fell to the floor, while she shook silently with laughter.
"The shore house is big, but it's not big enough." Carlisle sighed. We all turned to face him.
"Oh that happened a long time ago, Bells was still in high school-" Jasper laughed. "I'll never forget the look on your face." Jasper pointed at me. "Oh my God- Oh my God." He mimicked me again. "Classic!" He turned and gave Alice a high-five, while I noticed the corners of Edward's mouth turning up.
"Grandpa walked in while I was doing pee-pee." Samantha giggled pointing at him. Now we all had a laugh.
"I wasn't talking about that. I walked in on your mother-" Carlisle laughed, talking to Samantha.
"Oh but that's okay. When mommy isn't around and we're out, daddy has to take us to the bathroom. Now that I'm older, he lets us go by ourselves."
"When you're older, you'll understand why mommy was so mad- she threw a hair brush at me." Carlisle chuckled.
"No- Mommy doesn't like it when we go by ourselves. She thinks the man is going to take us. When mommy's aren't around, the daddy's are supposed to do the things that mommy does."
"What man?" Carlisle questioned.
"The man in the van-" Emily said, as her lip quivered.
"The man that takes little girls while their parents are away." Samantha elaborated.
"Oh grandpa- please don't let him take us. Now that mommy is in the hospital- daddy will be here and.. and-" She sniffled and the tears started. I pouted watching her. Emily is so sensitive. She's always following Rose around, like she's going to leave. When she drops them off with me, I have to distract her before Rose leaves. I wonder if their coming home with us? Or maybe they'll stay with Carlisle and Esme. They didn't have time to plan a sitter for the girls, but we're all here. Any of us will take them home. That's what family does.
Carlisle gathered Emily into his arms and widened his eyes to all of us. My guess is that he's at a loss.
"Girls-" Alice said to get their attention. "Do you honestly think some man in a stupid van is going to get you? He won't with all of us around. Grandpa, uncle Edward, and uncle Jasper, will kick his butt. And don't let Auntie Bella see him-" I laughed.
"Why?" Emily hiccuped.
"Because your Aunt gets scary when she's angry."
"Like the time she threw stuff at uncle Eddie, because he was being bad?" Samantha asked. They all turned to look at me, Edward snorted and I shrugged.
"That's nothing." Alice laughed.
"No- he'll get her too-" Emily hugged Carlisle tighter.
"Nobody messes with my girls-" Edward stated. "But never talk to strangers and never ever follow someone that you don't know." Edward got all dad like. It was adorable.
"We know that- mommy told us that sometimes- um people are sick and will take you, without talking and then you're just gone." Samantha shrugged.
"That's why we can't be outside alone." Emily said. We all nodded in agreement. Rose was so protective over the girls that they actually have a code word. If you don't know the code word, the girls won't go with you. The first time I picked the girls up from school, I had to mutter the word 'Pickles' before they would even get into my car. Even though they knew me. At first I thought it was a little ridiculous, I mean I'm Auntie Bella.
But Rose is right, there are sick people out there. I hugged EJ tighter to me.
EJ hugged my neck and started to twirl my hair around his little hands. I stilled them. I shed more than Butch does. It's horrifying when one of your long hairs is threatening to strangulate your son's testicles. How does my hair get in his diaper anyway? Edward asks himself the same question when he's pulling my strands out of his ass in the shower.
Esme walked in smiling widely.
"How's mommy?" Samantha asked. Esme sighed and sat next to Carlisle.
"It's going to be a while." She said. "I left so they could give her the epidural." She turned to look at the girls. "She's been asking for you guys. When they are finished, I am to take you to see her." The girls squealed excitedly.
"Did I miss anything?" Alistair shouted out of breath as he skidded to a stop.
"No-" Edward shook his head. "But what do you have there?" He questioned, pointing to the buckets in Al's arms.
"Chicken-" He shrugged.
"Awesome!" Jasper shouted, taking a bucket out of his hands.
"Why is Al here?" I whispered.
"I was on the phone with him when Rose called Emmett. I don't know- he wanted to be here." Edward shrugged and stood up. I watched as he and Jasper fought over a bucket of chicken. Children.
"Here- just take the other one." Al handed Edward the second bucket. "Savages-" He sighed, sitting next to me.
"What's with the chicken?" I asked. Balloons, maybe some flowers for Rose, a stuffed animal, but a bucket of chicken? I've never seen someone show up to the hospital with one of those.
"Edward said they didn't eat yet and if I came empty handed not to come at all-" I chuckled.
"Yeah that sounds like my husband-" I grinned up at Edward, as he held out a chicken leg for EJ.
"Don't waste it, he's just going to throw it on the floor." Jasper grumbled. "It's fried chicken. Alice never lets me have fried chicken." He ranted and tore into a thigh.
"Well maybe if you exercised I'd let you. Did you know that Edward jogs? So does Bella and I, maybe if you did you'd lose this-" Alice poked his stomach and turned to face me. "Let's go down to the cafeteria and get food for the kids." I nodded and handed EJ over to Al, but not before EJ trailed the greasy chicken leg across my cheek. Nice. Then he got my shoulder. I now officially have no clothes without stains.
Alice and I walked down to the cafeteria and bought an abundance of food. Multiple sandwiches and drinks, chicken fingers and fries for the girls. That chicken wasn't going to do it for Edward, so I bought him a cheese burger. I got some yogurt and a few carrots sticks for EJ, though I doubt he'll eat it now that he's had the chicken. Alice and I made salads for ourselves, Esme, and Carlisle. I remember he ate from the salad bar everyday when I worked her. Esme can't be too far off.
We had so much food, we had to borrow a cart.
"That will be $74.50-" Alice's eye widened.
"Damn, the prices have gone up since I worked here. Like this is gourmet or some shit-" She scoffed. "That can't be right." She shook her head.
"I can ring it up again if you like?" The young girl asked.
"No need-" I smiled. "Just charge it to Dr Cullen." Her cheeks turned scarlet.
"Which one?" she asked.
"Edward." Her face turned a deeper shade of red. I giggled, I used to have the same reaction at just the mention of his name.
"Um- it has to be authorized. I can't just charge it to his account. What if he gets mad-" She shrugged. I pursed my lips and reached for my cell phone.
"Will verbal authorization be okay? I'll just call my husband and tell him or I can tell him to come down-"
"He's here?" Her eyes widened.
"Some one has a crush on the hubby." Alice sang in a hushed tone.
"He is," I smiled. This girl can't be older than eighteen and I thought it was so cute. She was absolutely adorable. She was about my height and chubby. God I am such a mom. When I first laid eyes on her, I wanted to pinch her cheeks.
"I can have him come down if you like." I giggled.
"What's taking you guys so long?" Al asked. "The chicken is gone- I had to get out of there. They're animals, I tell ya. Animals."
"I don't have the cash on me and I'm having trouble charging this to Edward's account." I pointed my eyes to the young girl.
"Dawn, this is Dr Cullen's wife. Bella this is Dawn, Dawn this is Bella-" Al introduced us, she authorized our outrageous purchase, and we were on our way back upstairs.
"What's the scoop with Edward and Dawn?" Alice asked Al.
"Scoop? There's no scoop." Al shrugged.
"Oh come on, she obviously has a crush on him." Alice laughed, I did too.
"Hate to break it to you ladies, but Edward isn't exactly warm to most folks?" Al made a face. "Don't get me wrong he's polite. He just walks around with a scowl most of the time. He's pissed off at one intern or another- I didn't come up with the name Lucifer by myself. That's what everyone calls him."
"What does that have to do with Dawn?" Alice asked.
"Nothing- except for the time she rolled over his foot with a cart, while entering the elevator. Edward shouted expletives that I don't feel comfortable repeating in front of ladies-" Al wiggled his eyebrows.
"Yeah right-" I said. The man curses like a sailor. Who is he trying to fool? That gentleman act died a long time ago, after we got to know him.
"Now, when he goes into the cafeteria, she hides behind the counter." He laughed.
"Oh that poor thing." I shook my head. "Why hasn't Edward apologized?" I asked, mostly to myself.
"Why should he? We're Gods in this place." Al widened his arms.
"Hey- did you forget that you are alone in a elevator with a surgical tech and an RN?" Alice grabbed his shirt. "Us nursing staff-" Alice waved a finger between us. "Are the people that usually help keep you idiots from killing patients. And that young girl feeds them. You should respect everyone here." Alice let him go. The elevator dinged again and Al smoothed out his shirt. He looked a little scared.
"Grab the cafeteria cart Dr Scott-" Alice hissed and grabbed my arm, before I grabbed the cart.
Alice snickered as we walked back into maternity. She called Al lunch lady, effectively putting him in his place. A nurse actually stared at him wide eyed, as he pushed the cart. Then Alice asked if she had any bedpans that needed to be taken care of, offering Al's service to her. The nurse giggled and just walked away.
As if the chicken never existed, the rest of our party attacked the cart. I put a burger and fries to the side for Emmett, just in case he had an appetite.
EJ ate his yogurt happily and then I was able to enjoy my salad, while Edward gave CC his bottle.
And after it was all said and done...it just became a waiting game. Alice and I cleaned up the waiting room together. The twins trashed it, because they insist on feeding themselves and got food all over the place. What else is new?
Alice was giving Maddy her bottle, when I sat next to her. "Can you keep an eye on those two?" I pointed my eyes to EJ and CC.
"Just don't take CC out of his chair and he should be fine-" I hoped. "-and EJ should be okay with Jason and Ellie-" I trailed off.
"Where are you going? You better not disappear and leave me with seven children!" She scolded me. "The girls keep going in and out-"
"Who's leaving you alone?" I turned to look at Jasper, Al, and Carlisle. "You're not alone and I'll be right back-" I brought my voice down to a whisper. "Edward has to return the cart-" Edward met my gaze and blew me a kiss, I blew one back. Sexy fucker. Sexy mean fucker with a God complex. Whoa! Where did that come from? I guess there will always be a little Tech in me.
"Fine. But you better make him apologize."
"Duh! Why do you think I'm taking him with me?" I asked and stood up. I just hope Dawn is still working. She should be. This is a small hospital and dinner is just finishing up. It always amazed me how the few kitchen staff members fed the whole hospital.
Edward willingly agreed to come with me, happy to get out of the waiting room. He yawned loudly and leaned against the wall by the elevator.
"Tired?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his waist.
"Exhausted." He kissed my hair. Edward actually slept here last night, being on-call. I didn't want to go shopping and be selfish, Edward insisted. "Did you have fun today?" He asked, turning my face up to him. The elevator showed up and we walked in.
"Fun?" I scrunched up my nose, placing my arms back around him. He reached over and pressed one, without looking, keeping his sweet gaze upon me. I swooned and melted into him.
"I would have rather spent the day with you, but it was an adventure-" I giggled. "When we get back upstairs, why don't you close your eyes and try to rest." I stood on my toes and pecked his lips, he tangled his hand in my hair, deepening the kiss. I groaned in protest when he pulled away too quickly.
"Who needs sleep?" He smirked, leaning his head down towards mine. I moaned into his mouth and latched myself onto him, practically crawling up his form. Damn you and your kissable lips that I can't get enough of!
My heart was going a mile a minute. Edward groaned and pushed me up against the wall, I willingly let him, as his hands roamed over my body, his erection poking into my stomach.
"FUCK!" Edward shouted in my mouth and backed away from me. I opened my eyes and took in the scene. What the hell? The small elevator was suddenly crowded.
"God dammit! My fucking leg." Edward grabbed his calf. Damn she got him in the shin. "And it's always you, can't you see where you're going?" Edward shouted. The elevator was now packed with two kitchen carts. I could barely make out Dawn, who tried to cower behind one. Who easily hid behind one, considering hers was taller than her short frame.
"I'm sorry-" Her voice broke and I heard her pressing the elevator button rapidly, probably willing it to get to the first floor faster.
"Yeah right, I think you do it on purpose-" I smacked his chest. "Ow fuck- now you too. What is this? Beat up Edward day?"
"Apologize," I said through clenched teeth. "What for?" he shouted.
"For being an asshole, a rude one at that, then again I don't believe I ever met an asshole who wasn't rude." I poked his chest. "Look at that cart- do you think she actually saw you? She didn't do it on purpose-"
"Then she shouldn't be hauling that thing-" He pointed to the monstrous cart.
"Apologize." I seethed. He sucked his teeth and turned to Dawn.
"I'm sorry Dina, please forgive me." He smiled as the elevator doors opened.
"Uh no, it's okay and you're right. It's my fault and I'm sorry." She quickly turned away.
"See, she admits it." Edward said, pointing at her.
"Dawn." I said.
"Who's Dawn?" He crinkled his brows at me and turned to push the cart out.
"Her name is Dawn, not Dina, and what is this I hear about you being so stand offish?" I asked.
"You know how I am at work-" He pushed the cart away from him towards the other ones.
"You were always nice to me, respectable." I shrugged. He grabbed my hand and smiled down at me.
"With all do respect love, I was trying to get into your pants. You could have stabbed me with a scalpel and I wouldn't have cared." He laughed.
"Either way, this isn't you." I chuckled.
"It is. This is where I work. A little fear, leads to a little respect-"
"So you scared the heck out of some poor girl, for respect?" I raised an eyebrow.
"No- she beats me up with kitchen carts and it infuriates me, not to mention how much it hurts. She even got dad last week." Damn.
"Edward-" I whined. "They call you Lucifer. It was funny when it was just Al. He said that everyone does now." Edward laughed.
"Al calls you Satan's bride." I sighed. Of course he does, apparently that's who I've become.
"So that's who I am, Satan's bride?" He shrugged. "Why can't you be nice to people?" I asked.
"Why are you too nice to people?" He mumbled under his breath.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing. Can we just agree to disagree and go back upstairs?" He asked.
"Not until you turn on that Cullen charm, I know and love, and bat those long eyelashes at that young girl-"
"You want me to flirt with her? Love, that's highly inappropriate."
"Just go apologize-" I pointed to the cafeteria. "I don't care how you do it, just do it." He grumbled shit I couldn't hear and walked ahead of me.
When we entered the kitchen, Dawn was clearing off the cart.
"Excuse me, but you can't be back here-" One of the dishwashers shouted over to us.
"We'll just be a minute." I promised. The exchange of words alerted Dawn to our presence. She turned and looked up to Edward. He startled her and the plate she had in her hands almost fell to the floor.
Almost.
I cradled my head and groaned, watching Edward reach for the plate before it dropped, hugging it to his chest.
"Shit!" He hissed and put the plate down, the contents spilling to the floor. He had gravy all over his beige sweater.
"I-I'm so- so sorry." Dawn gasped out. Edward just stared down at her, as I stared at him. He better not be mentally plotting her death. No Edward would never do that. The gaze in which he stared was murderous though. I nudged his shoulder. He turned to look at me and I looked at Dawn.
"Don't be sorry-" he smiled. He was showing a little too much teeth, he looked frightening, but sincere. That smile is so phony.
"It was my fault. I was actually coming back here to apologize. I called you Dina and that is clearly not your name." Dawn shifted on her feet, under his uneasy gaze. "Dawn, please accept my apology. My behavior in the past and this evening has been deplorable." He crookedly smiled down at her. There's my sexy man. "And if you don't accept, she's going to kick my behind." Edward jerked his thumb to me. I nodded and she giggled.
"It's okay Dr Cullen and I'm sorry for the cart. I'll look next time, I promise."
"That would be wise." Edward nodded. "Well, have a good evening. Don't work too hard." He playfully waved a finger at her.
"I won't-" She giggled. "Goodnight Dr Cullen, Mrs Cullen-" I waved, while Edward rapidly turned to me and grabbed my sleeve, pulling me out of the kitchen behind him.
"That wasn't so bad was it?" I laughed, my short legs barely keeping up with him.
"Look at me," He widened his arms, stopping us in front of the elevator. "That was horrible." A chuckle escaped his lips.
"You should have seen your face." I gasped out between laughs.
"Give me a hug-" Oh no, I backed away from him and his gravy stain glory.
"Take the sweater off first." I asked.
"Now where's the fun in that-" He took a step towards me.
"I'm warning you right now Edward Cullen." I waved my finger at him. He laughed at me and took another step. I felt trapped as I backed away from him once more. Looking up, I saw that the elevator was in the lobby. Come on! I internally hoped.
"Just one hug." He smiled. "You have a grease stain already." He pointed to EJ's handy work.
"Stop-" I half whined, half laughed. "You have a shirt under, I don't-" I put my hands up to stop him. He was just about to wrap his arms around me when the elevator showed up. I squealed and evaded him, running inside.
Because I wasn't looking, I slammed into what felt like a wall. The hands that stilled me were the only indication that this was a person. I looked up, my smile fully composed, into the eyes of another surgeon. Another surgeon that I worked for, who actually intimidated me. The knot in my stomach told me that I still felt that way, regardless of who my husband is.
"I'm so sorry, Dr Long." He smirked down at me and stepped back.
"No harm done and please call me Garrett. That Dr Long business is appreciated, but not necessary." Weird. He was always such a hard ass. Was he being nice? The only other times he showed any type of sincerity, was the times he asked me to dinner. I said no of course, every time. He's married, a man whore, and an asshole. Not to mention that I didn't find him attractive in the slightest.
After I declined his third invite, working with him became worse, as he critiqued me mercilessly. Edward doesn't need to know about that. Although, I bet he already does. About the dinner invites, not the verbal abuse. That's not something anyone would brag about.
Edward put his hand out to stop the elevator's doors from closing and walked on.
"Garrett," Edward nodded to him.
"Edward," Dr Long nodded back. Dr Long then turned to smirk at me again or was it a sneer? I wasn't sure.
"I'm really sorry-" I gulped. "I should have been paying attention."
"It's fine Bella." He chuckled. "Next time you want to run away from your husband and into my arms, just give me some sort of warning."
"That's not-" I started and the words got stuck in my throat; I stared up at him wide eyed.
"Very funny asshole." Edward shook his head and placed his arm around my waist. "-and that's never going to happen-"
"I was kidding." Dr Long put his hands up, interrupting Edward. "Geez. Have a goodnight." Dr Long gave us a small salute as he exited onto the second floor.
"Well that was-odd." I let out a shaky laugh. That man will always give me the creeps. "But I think you took the words right out of my mouth, not that I'd ever have the balls to say them." I wrapped my arms around his neck, gravy stain now rubbing off on my chest.
"I know you'd never leave me for him." Edward chuckled. The elevator arrived at the third floor. We walked out hand and hand.
"You're absolutely right about that, but I was talking about when you called him an asshole." I giggled.
Back in the waiting room the toddlers were still running around and Alice was rocking CC's chair with her foot, while she cradled Maddy. Jasper was asleep in the chair next to her and Al was playing with his cell.
"See-" Alice pointed her eyes to Jasper and Al. "You left me alone."
"Sorry-" I smiled. "Where are the rest of them?" I asked.
"In with Rose. There's not much of a change. I'm going to get the kids home, before it gets too late. Call me if anything." Alice turned and nudged Jasper.
"I think that's a good idea-" Edward said through a yawn. "Did you want to get going?" He asked. I shrugged.
"If you think that's best." I honestly didn't want to leave. I wanted to be here when little Emmett was born.
"Love, there's no sign of distress and when she's getting ready to push, we can scoop up the kids and come back." Despite Edward's fatigue, he was making a lot of sense.
"Even in the middle of the night?" I asked.
"Even in the middle of the night." He promised.
I gave Alice and Jasper a hug, kissing the twins and Maddy goodbye, before they left. Edward and I, plus the kids, then went into the delivery suite to say goodnight to everyone.
Carlisle and Esme promised they would call us if there was any change.
Edward took the boys home in his car, while I wondered what I could do for the stains that have already set in, in the upholstery of mine. Oh fuck it. I'll worry about it tomorrow. I'm sure my mom or Esme will know how to get blood out of fabric, but what of the gooey shit in the back? I shuddered and pulled into the drive-way.
Thankfully EJ was exhausted and went right to sleep. CC on the other hand, just as I predicted, was wide awake.
"Did you want to watch a movie?" Edward asked through a yawn again. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist, happily. He finally shed the gravy stained sweater. "No baby, why don't you just go to bed." I stood on my toes and brushed my lips against his.
"Why don't you bring the bassinet into the bedroom and come with me-" He let out a suggestive grunt and palmed my ass. I giggled. "Are you even up for that?" I asked. I knew the man was utterly exhausted. He grinned crookedly down at me, then stepped back.
"I'm always up for that." He pointed his eyes down to the very prominent tent in his pants. I bit my lip, enticed.
"Why don't you go up to bed and I'll try to put CC down again." He smiled and leaned down to peck my lips, before he turned and ran up the stairs.
"Daddy's going to get some-" He said yanking off his T-shirt mid-flight. I laughed and looked to CC and Butch. Edward did feed Butch so all I had to do was let him out. He was quick, just like he usually is at night.
I rocked CC around for close to a half hour. He didn't cry, but he was still wide awake. Ready to give up, I placed him in his bassinet, and walked us toward my bedroom.
"Edward?" I asked, as I walked in. I was greeted by the sight of his bare ass. He was curled up in a ball, fast asleep. I smiled looking down at him. He looked so adorable, I couldn't wake him.
Placing the blanket over his naked form, he mumbled an 'I love you.'
"I love you too." I smiled bending down to kiss his hair. He smiled sleepily and rolled onto his stomach.
CC, Butch, and I went back down to the living room. I kicked off my sneakers and sat on the couch. Even if CC did fall asleep, I doubt I could. I clutched both the house phone and my cell, waiting for the call.
Eventually, I called Emmett's cell. He said that Rose was making some progress and was now 6cm dilated. They expected that things should speed up shortly. I was anxious and put my sneakers back on.
It was getting late and the only interesting thing on television was a 'TimeLife' infomercial on 1950's doo wop. Seriously? There's like a thousand channels and this is what you choose to watch? I shrugged at my psyche. I always thought doo wop was cool and they were selling the collection at the bargained price of three payments of $29.95. That's a steal. I fought the urge to grab my credit card, I already had the phone.
Quickly, I turned off the television.
Taking CC with me, we went into the dining room. For Christmas, my mother bought me a few scrap books. She was an avid scrap-booker or whatever you would call her. I started to place pictures in them, with silly captions and stickers. EJ had one and so did CC. I picked up the one I had started for Edward and I.
I had only gotten as far as the cover, which had a heart shaped frame. One of our wedding photos was in it of course. I wanted it to tell like a story, so that when Edward and I perish, the book would still remain. EJ and CC could share this with their children and so on.
The first page, I dedicated to the fall ball. Edward looked so handsome that night. Somethings never change... My mother had given me a picture of the both of us, in front of Alice's fireplace. My eyes were closed, a smile on my lips, as Edward kissed just under my ear, a smile playing on his lips as well. It was a beautiful candid photo of us. That night was the first time Edward and I consummated our love. Epic Night!
It didn't matter that this was a book for just Edward and I, I wanted to record our courtship. And others played a major role in it as well. The next page held pictures of Alice, Jasper, Rose, Emmett, Edward, and I the night we all went out to 'The Empty Bottle Saloon'. Another epic night, that was the first time we ever said 'I love you.'
The next few pages were random photos, a few from our first Christmas, and the days before.
The next photos which were significant, was our first New Year's eve, the night Edward proposed. The both of us had huge smiles, as I showed my ring to the camera, as Edward held me close.
The next momentous occasion was when we got Butch. A few weeks after we had him, I had waken up, and left the bedroom to let Edward sleep. When I came back in, Butch was asleep under the covers next to Edward. They looked adorable and I snapped a few photos of them.
Our trip to the Bahamas came next, followed by a miserable looking Edward at the airport on our way home.
The pictures stopped after that for a while. We had gone through so much in that time frame, we had nothing happy to capture on camera.
Me getting shot, Maria's death, and before that Jake's imprisonment. Edward and I got through it all, together. It's hard to believe that so many circumstances threatened to break us apart, but we got through it. We survived and our love grew.
I completely bypassed the pictures of my bridal shower. They were all ridiculous, out of focus, and I didn't have any from Edward's bachelor night. We didn't have any from the rehearsal dinner either. So I skipped ahead to our wedding. We have an album dedicated to it, which is filled with professional pictures taken by a photographer, but in this book I placed a few silly pictures. One of Edward holding me bridal style, while Emmett and Jasper made a suggestive pose behind us. We knew they were there and you could tell in this picture that both Edward and I were hysterically laughing. We looked truly happy. And the happy photos continued.
There was a page dedicated to Colonial Williamsburg, Lake George, and my baby shower.
Now that is a great photo. After I changed out of my urine soaked clothing, my mother took a picture, of Edward and I, while I cradled Emmett, dressed in only his diaper, in my arms. You could faintly make out Rose and Alice, holding on to each other, as they laughed next to us.
I jumped up alarmed as my phone buzzed beside me. Speak of the devil and he shall appear. I laughed as I answered Emmett's call.
Rose had the baby.
And we missed it. Damn.
Emmett said that twenty minutes ago, things progressed so fast, they didn't have time to call anyone. Carlisle, Esme, and the girls weren't even there for it. He assured me that Rose and Emmett Jr were doing just fine. He also said to just come by in the morning, after I offered to come by right now. Rose was exhausted, which is completely understandable. I told Emmett to give them a kiss for me and bid him a goodnight.
Placing my phone down, I picked up the next picture, which immediately made me choke up. It was a picture of the three of us. Edward, EJ, and I the morning after his birth. Damn, I looked horrible. I laughed to myself. He was so tiny compared to the monster he is now.
After his birth, we had some fun times, trying to adjust to parenthood. It wasn't easy, but it was totally worth it.
I skipped ahead to a similar picture, only it was Edward, EJ, CC, and I.
It was taken the day I finally woke up. Again, I looked horrible.
Adjusting to two, was even more trying than adjusting to parenthood in itself. We're still adjusting.
"Right my little man- you drove mommy crazy." I reached over to tickle CC's belly, when I realized he was asleep. Finally. I glanced at the clock. It was only two O'clock in the morning. Did someone lace his last bottle with coffee?
I abandoned the scrap book and put CC to bed, kissing his cheek. Then I checked on EJ, who was sound asleep on his stomach, his little ass in the air. Too cute! I wanted so badly to squeeze his little diapered ass. I didn't. Butch and I then entered our bedroom.
While I was changing into my pajamas, I thought about the good times, the bad times, and everything else in between that brought us here. Us. Edward and I, plus our little family.
Who knew a little love could go a long way? That the love Edward and I shared for each other, could grow, bring two families together. Our love which brought two angels into this world. My life the past two and a half years has been so filled with love, I couldn't help but feel lucky. Lucky to be loved. Lucky to be able to share my life with Edward. Lucky to have a great family. Lucky to be blessed with EJ and CC, who are both part of Edward and I. Products of our love.
Months before I met Edward, if someone would have told me that I would find my true love, at the place where I least expected it, in the little community hospital Bon Secours, I would have laughed at them.
"When I came into that O.R and found you blushing and beautiful, I knew I was a goner." I snuggled into Edward's side, remembering his words.
It's odd how whenever I think back to that day, I hear Lady GaGa playing in the back round. I reached over and grabbed Edward's dick, which was erect. He moaned and turned to face me, a small smile on his lips.
"I love it when you wake me up like that." He said groggily. I giggled. To this day, that's all I have to do to wake him. "That hand is one powerful alarm clock-" He was fully awake now. I squealed when he sucked on the sensitive skin under my ear.
"Rose had the baby-" I half moaned, as his lips trailed lower.
"She did?" Edward looked up to me, smiling widely. "How much does he weigh?"
"I didn't ask. But I bet he's huge." I grasped his chin and crashed my lips against his. I pulled away just as quickly. "We can get bagels and go over in the morning." I wove my fingers into his hair, bringing his lips to mine again. He hummed his agreement into my mouth and pushed my T-shirt up, roaming his free hand along my torso. Mommy is going to get some!
"Did you take your pill this morning?" Edward suddenly asked. I giggled. Lately, he asks that every time we make love.
"Yes, now carry on-" I pushed his head toward my breast.
"Let's have some fun this beat is sick, I wanna take a ride on your disco stick."
The End...Maybe.
Remember to keep Bon Secours on alert. Epilogue is next... Then I think I will take a break to work on my other stories and come back to write outtakes.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!
