I know there has been a few weeks without posts, but I was working on a one shot that's sat with me for ages. Now that it is with one of my betas I can work on this again. And this is a big one! Enjoy.

Also, for those that aren't big fans of these vampires being on a traditional diet, be warned there is a description from Edward that you may want to skip.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 19

"Tell me about it again?" Bella asked.

"The forests are so thick and green, you've never seen colors that vibrant. And the canopy blocks out the sun in most parts, so when it filters through it almost glows. And the ocean is such a deep grey blue once you get out from the shore. It isn't the crystal blue of the Mediterranean, it reflects the clouds that are near constant and the fog that rolls in."

"It sounds beautiful."

"It is. I can't wait to show you."

"It is a nice place to dream of," Bella yawned and then fell asleep beside me.

"She's sleeping nearly twenty hours a day." My father said from the doorway.

"And that means?"

"Another day or two and you will be a father."

"What comes after?"

"We'll wait a few weeks before we send word to your brother and our allies. That way we know all is well here. I would say your people should be here within a month of being notified. It will give us a month and a half with them before the official presentation. Notifying the other princes will happen a month prior. It is the customary time so nothing will seem out of place."

"You don't think they'll suspect it?"

"Aro and Caius think the Cullens are passive because I was always slow to attack. But they never threatened my mate or my family. They will arrive expecting a slaughter, but it will be their downfall, not ours."

"And the children?"

"All they'll do in the beginning is drink and sleep. With two of them, they'll drain half of an adult a day, so you and Bella can alternate with their leftovers."

"How fast will they grow?"

"The first month is the most drastic. They'll look to be four human years by the end of that. The next month is two human years, and by the Presentation they will look seven human years. Then it slows. By their first birthday they will look eight years old. From there they age between one and a half and two years human ages per year until they are six and a half or seven years old When it slows to our adult rate."

I placed my hand on Bella's stomach and stroked it lovingly. I'd done it so often this last month, but there was something different this time. It was murky, but I heard a thought.

"I don't think it will be that long for the birth."

"What makes you day that?"

"The babies are getting into position."

My dad took a step towards me. "You can feel that?"

"I heard it."

"I'll tell your mother to prepare what she needs." My father was gone in a flash and a gasp from Bella pulled my attention back to her.

"Edward, something is happening."

"The babies are getting ready for their birth. I heard them."

"You heard them? What did they sound like?"

"It was murky, but I heard our son telling his sister to move."

"Don't be bossy in there, little prince."

My hand still splayed across her belly, I heard a response.

"He wasn't, it seems our daughter is gifted."

"What can she do?"

"I don't know. They don't either but it has to do with them moving into position to be born."

"Ow, okay. I think they've in position, because that really hurt." Bella winced and I took her hands.

"Mom, get in here," I hollered.

My mom ran in the next moment with a basket. "Edward, lift Bella up."

I did as she asked and she threw a series of what appeared to be blankets onto the bed, but they were obviously to protect the furniture. I set her in the middle and climbed behind her, holding her up.

"Once the first pain hits it is usually very quick. They'll help themselves much more than a human baby."

A rush of venom came next, signaling that her waters had broken and my mother crouched at the end of the bed. Bella spread her legs into the position my mother instructed and then the work came.

"Just breathe through the pain."

The pains came in quick succession and Bella did what she was told. I held her up, whispering about how good she was doing when my mother looked up.

"Bella, on the next pain, push, the first baby is in position."

That pain came and Bella bore down. It took a few contractions but with a hard push, our son was born.

My mother wiped him down and wrapped him in a blanket, handing him up to Bella. I watched Bella stroke our son's cheek and felt an immense sense of pride.

Bella whimpered and there was movement across the room. Bella's whimper turned to a growl when my sister entered the room.

"Love, she needs to take him so you can give birth to our daughter. Alice isn't going to steal him."

Bella nodded and Alice took him, holding a large lidded cup to his mouth. We marveled as he began to drink immediately, his instinct taking over.

Another contraction drew us back to child that still needed to be born. Slightly smaller than her brother, our daughter was born quickly and Alice handed me the three cups that were hers. Bella fed her while my father arrived with a larger container.

"What's that?"

"The remaining blood from their meal. You should drink this. Bella will need a full meal to recoup."

I eyed the container but reluctantly took it. The blood was warm, which was off-putting, but I drank it quickly so that I could return my attention to my children.

I sat on the couch with my daughter resting in one arm as Alice sat my son in the other. She followed Bella out while my mom put our bed back together. My father carried in a cradle and then took my mother's hand.

"Once Bella is cleaned up and fed she'll likely sleep. We'll leave you alone with your family."

It took a few moments, but Bella returned and climbed into the bed, beckoning me. I walked with our children cradled in my arms, handing her our son. Lying down next to her, I looked down at the pair of miracles we'd created and smiled.

"They need names, any ideas?"

"For our son, I wanted to honor Marcus. Does our kind use namesakes?"

"Yes, I'm named after my grandfather."

"Then I'd like to name him Marcus Jacob."

"I like that. And I think it is sweet to honor the friend who gave his life trying to find you."

"For our daughter, I was thinking Renata Elizabeth."

"Renata?" I asked.

"It is a form of my mother's name," Bella whispered.

"Then it is settled."

Bella yawned and the twins were already asleep. "Rest, my love. I'll put the twins in their cradle and you all can take it easy after such a trying day."