I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Cheryl and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch. 23

I grabbed my napkin to wipe up the orange juice that had spurted out of my mouth. "I thought it was agreed upon we were going to try and help Jacob?"

"It was," Edward agreed.

"Then Carlisle told them no," I prompted, and he hesitated to respond. "Carlisle told them yes?" I was surprised.

"He explained his theory and how he wanted to try and help Jacob first. Therefore, we wouldn't hand over Jacob to them. However, he also told them if Irina found Jacob first, we wouldn't begrudge her vengeance," he answered carefully.

"Vengeance? But Laurent tried to kill me, the wolves only protected me. Sam was Alpha at the time, not Jacob," I said.

"We know. But Tanya thinks it would be easy to convince Irina that Jacob acted alone, solving both our problems and not dragging the other wolves into it." Edward reached for my hand. "Laurent was in the wrong. But much like with James, Victoria was driven with madness to avenge him—any vampire would be after their mate is killed. Even someone as sweet and kind as Esme would be driven to it."

"I can't see Esme ever doing such a thing," I muttered.

"Let's hope we never have to find out." Edward rubbed his thumb over my knuckles.

I nodded in agreement as I continued eating my breakfast. "What time is Renée showing up?"

"In about an hour. When you're done eating, Alice will help you freshen up," he told me.

SS

An hour later, Renée breezed into the room. She paused in the middle surveying the area before coming closer to the bed. I was currently alone as Edward made himself scarce minutes before her arrival.

"Merry Christmas, baby," she cooed.

"Merry Christmas, Mom," I responded.

"I can't get over how beautiful this home is. It's a shame though, their guest room is up so many stairs. They can't be good for you in your condition." She sat on the edge of a chair.

"Actually, this is Edward's room," I told her.

Her eyebrows raised to her hairline. "This is his room…it's so clean and tidy. Most teenage boys have dirty socks on their floor or posters on their walls."

I snorted. "You're going to fault him for a clean room now? You're being really unfair."

"I'm sorry, there's just something about this family that seems too perfect. Like Stepford perfect. Even Phil is weirded out by them and he likes everyone. I was watching this movie the other day and this perfect little family had dark secrets …" She lowered her voice to a whisper.

"Mom," I interrupted her. "Were you watching movies on Lifetime again?"

Her cheeks reddened. "Those movies are based on real stories."

"Real stories that get exaggerated. Honestly, Mom, your imagination is running away with you," I teased. "Seriously, if the Cullens were really bad news, Charlie would never let me stay here. He would be the first one to say something."

"I suppose. I can't shake this feeling something is off. I still think Edward is too controlling. That isn't a healthy relationship," she said.

I forced myself not to lose my temper. "He's not controlling. Edward is overprotective of me—especially in my condition. He does worry far too much at times. But I think it's because he remembers losing his parents to flu complications when he was very young."

Renée paused as she thought it over. "I guess it could explain his behavior. Sweetheart, I know you're mad at me. But as your mother I feel as if it's only my duty to make sure you see the whole picture. Sometimes being in love can blind you to what's reality. He really hurt you once already, can you blame me for being concerned it will happen again? Then there was the Quileute boy who stalked you."

My shoulders slumped in defeat. "Mom, I know you're worried about me. But Edward hurt himself too when we broke up. I wasn't the only one hurting. I haven't moved on because I believe Edward is my soulmate. I love him. He asked me to marry him last night and I told him yes. Please don't ruin this for me."

Mom closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them, she smiled. "I'm happy for you." I couldn't tell if she was being truthful, but at least she was trying.

"Have you set a date yet?" she asked.

"Well, I was hoping for tomorrow, but it looks like March," I told her.

She frowned. "March would be very busy for Phil, if you wanted him here. Isn't tomorrow a little soon?"

"I just thought since you were already here, and Charlie would be off work, it would be a good time since I don't want a huge wedding. But it won't happen either, since my ankles are the size of bowling balls," I explained.

Renée's eyes shot to my feet and they widened as she stood. "Bella, you should be in a hospital."

I shook my head. "I'm being monitored. Trust me, if Dr. Cullen thought I should be in a hospital, Edward would already have me admitted. But they both know stress level wise I would rest better at home."

"Hmm…the sooner you deliver these babies the better," she mumbled. "You know sex is supposed to jump start labor. That's how you were brought into this world."

"TMI." I wrinkled my nose.

"Have you tried soaking your feet in cold water. I have some essential oils back at the hotel, which help with swelling much better than medicines."

"I haven't, but I'm willing to try it. Would you like to stay and watch a movie? Not a Lifetime one though, maybe something cheery like a musical or something." I was hoping to distract her so we didn't start talking about sex tips.

"Sounds good to me." Renée chuckled.

SS

Renée left a few hours later because she felt guilty Phil had stayed back at the hotel. She claimed he had felt ill and didn't want to get me sick. However, I wondered if it was something else since she wasn't a very good liar. Renée did apologize to Edward for being rude to him. And told him she would be looking forward to our wedding in the Spring.

Edward dried my feet carefully after taking them out of the ice water. When he was done, he rested them on the stacks of pillows.

"They're looking less swollen," I commented.

"Not enough, but yes, better. Your mother had a good suggestion," he agreed. "You both seemed to have had a good heart to heart. I will also admit, I was able to understand where she was coming from better. She's not wrong to worry about you. Her natural instincts have been telling her something was off with our family—she just can't put her finger on it. Most humans naturally do shy from us—I can think of only of one exception." He gave me a lopsided grin.

"There's nothing wrong with my instincts. I think you have to accept mine have been telling me I've always been fated to be a vampire and your mate," I stated.

"That's a good theory," he responded.

"It's more than a theory." I scowled at the way he dismissed me.

I picked up one of the extra pillows and tossed it at him—it landed a foot away. He looked at it and started to laugh. He grabbed it and threw it up in the air then caught it again.

"Alright, it's a better theory than your aiming skills," he teased then tossed the pillow back in my face.

"It's not a theory, you're just upset the little pathetic human put it together before you the supposedly scary vampire did," I huffed.

"Supposedly? I thought I proved I can be scary." He crawled across the bed closer to me.

"No. Not even a heart palpitation." I shook my head playfully as he became nose to nose with me.

"Is that so?" He smirked. "I guess I'll have to teach you again, after you're not pregnant."

"Promises, promises. If you were a really scary vampire, you'd do it now," I taunted.

Edward opened his mouth to say something to me but stopped and shot a scowl toward the door.

"What did Emmett say now?" I asked.

"What makes you think it was Emmett?" Edward asked, turning back to me.

"Because I've met him." I giggled.

"Then you know whatever he said was crude and I won't repeat it," Edward countered.

SS

A little more than a week went by with hardly any fanfare. The swelling in my feet went down and Carlisle gave the okay for me to relax on the couch. The Sunday after New Year's, Charlie and Seth came to visit and watch the football game on television. It was just Edward and Emmett at home with us. Jasper and the girls went hunting under the guise of shopping. Carlisle was at the hospital until the early evening.

"That ref is blind as a bat." Emmett complained over a bad call.

"I'm glad I didn't put money down on this game," Charlie grumbled as the Cardinals had the lead.

I tried to hide my grimace as I had a small back spasm. I had been uncomfortable all day, and with every twinge, Edward seemed to become increasingly more tense. But it couldn't be labor because it was sporadic, and the birthing class said it was normal to have them as you got closer.

I glanced over at him to see if he had noticed, but his gaze was focused on the windows. He got up and walked over to them and narrowed his eyes. His arms crossed, and I couldn't read his facial expression with his back to me.

"Is there something wrong?" Charlie observed.

Edward turned and came back to the couch. "No, I thought I saw something. Could I offer any one a new drink or something to eat?"

"I could use another beer," Charlie admitted.

"I could eat," Seth stated.

"You're like a bottomless pit. I pity your mother." Charlie snickered.

"Great. Emmett, come help me," Edward ordered.

Emmett glanced away from the television. The smirk on his face told me he was about to have a snarky retort, but it never came. His expression changed quickly, and he got to his feet.

"Do you need my help?" Seth became alert.

Edward hesitated. "I don't think so at the moment. I'll let you know."

Emmett and Edward disappeared down the hall. Seth turned back to the game but kept looking over his shoulder in the direction they had disappeared. I shifted in my seat trying to get up.

"Could one of you help me, please," I asked.

Seth jumped to his feet and gave me a hand off the couch.

"Everything alright, Bells?" Dad asked.

"Just need to use the restroom," I explained.

"Don't you mean a human moment?" Dad teased.

"A human…what?" Seth questioned.

"I'm hip with the slang," Charlie said.

"The slang?" Seth looked confused.

"Don't ask." I groaned but paused as I felt another twinge. I glanced at the clock, wishing I had a few minutes ago.

When I returned to the room, I noticed Edward and Emmett still weren't back. I frowned and was really wondering if something was wrong. As I waddled across the room, I felt another spasm of pain in my back, and this time it wrapped around front. It had been about six minutes since the last one.

"Edward?" I called, thinking I should inform him what was going on.

"I think he still making a feast for Seth," Charlie joked.

I forced a smile but was starting to get worried. Edward usually responded within seconds. I caught Seth's eye and he started to frown.

"Want me to go get him for you?" he offered.

"Please." I nodded.

Instead of sitting, I wandered over to the window and glanced out. I wondered what Edward saw. It didn't seem like nothing to me. Perhaps, Irina showed up and that's why Edward didn't want Seth coming with them. So she wouldn't attack him.

"They're not there," Seth said in low voice, coming to stand next to me. "Something is going on, isn't it?"

"I know as much as you. Maybe it was Irina. She wants revenge for Laurent," I started to explain.

Seth didn't look surprised. "Carlisle gave me the heads up on her. It could be. Maybe I'm just paranoid, I've had this feeling all day th—"

"Ahhh," I cried out as I had another contraction. Seth reached and grabbed my elbow.

I felt a small trickle, then a gush. I glanced down at the puddle at my feet in shock. Seth jumped back. then followed my gaze.

"Is that what I think it is?" he asked.

"Bells." Charlie headed over and stopped short. "Are you in labor?"

"My water broke." I nodded.

"Let's get you to the hospital." He turned his head. "Edward, it's time!"

"I think he stepped out for a moment," Seth told him.

"To do what?" Charlie looked confused.

"Seth, could you go get my hospital bag. It's in the bedroom on the third floor. it's a large purple duffle. Dad, help me to the car." I tried to distract them both from Edward's disappearance. All I knew is he'd better have a good explanation.

"On it." Seth bolted for the stairs.

Charlie cast one more look behind him before guiding me to the door. He paused only to grab his coat and his holster. We made our way slowly down the steps.

Before we could start for the cruiser, there was a loud crashing noise from the woods. Charlie stopped and stood in front of me.

"What was that?"

He barely finished speaking when a reddish-brown blur bolted out of the woods. It growled and turned to snap at Edward, who was close on its heels and dodged in time.

"Bella, get back in the house!" Charlie yelled, pulling his gun. "Edward, get away from it."

Edward and Jacob's heads whipped around towards us. Edward seemed momentarily stunned to see us watching them. Jacob used that split second to start charging at us. Charlie fire his gun once in the air then aimed at the wolf.

"Dad, don't shoot. It's Jacob, he's sick." I grabbed his arm.

Before he could respond, Seth dived passed us and phased in mid-air. He ran to intercept Jacob, hitting him hard in the side, sending them rolling.

"What in the hell is going on?" Charlie yelled.

A/N: Jacob and the babies have perfect timing, don't they? And better yet, Charlie won't be able to ignore what's right in front of him.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.