Epilogue

The sun was brilliantly golden. The sky was pale blue with perfectly fluffy clouds casting a stark contrast of color. The wind was dancing playfully, giving a much-needed relief from the summer sun. My fair skin was warm and tinged pink. The air was briny, bringing salt to my mouth and nose. The sound of ocean waves crashing was a dull roar in comparison the piercing laughter that echoed across the beach. Smiling, I opened my eyes. For a few moments, I had to blink against the bright gold and blue. My bare toes dug into the gritty sand while creating tiny trenches.

After my vision adjusted, I looked for the source of laughter. Jacob stood in all his glory wearing nothing more than orange-colored board shorts. Broad build, russet skin, and dark hair were on full display. His smile was wide and infectious. On his wide shoulders sat a little girl. She was no more than nine or ten years old. She had a headful of dark brown curls, which were secured in a messy tail. Her caramel skin was flushed with excitement. She was missing a front tooth, but it only made her grins even more endearing. The cherry-red, one-piece bathing suit was grandly picked by her own hands just days before at the local department store. She had matching flip-flops. She had a love for clothing, accessories, and shopping that never ceased to confuse me.

Clinging to Jacob's long legs was a chubby toddler. His laughter was the deep-belly laugh of an innocent. I loved how he laughed with his whole body. His head was always thrown back just like his father. He wore blue board shorts and nothing else. Also like his father, he had a tendency to walk around half-naked. It was rare for me to keep clothes on either of them. Jacob's smile grew softer as the trio came to a halt at the edge of my large blanket. He asked, "How we doing, Momma?"

"Yeah," The little girl parroted, "How we doing, Momma?"

"Well," I sighed dramatically, "I may be a bit hungry."

"Too!" The boy chirped and stumbled my way. I caught him under the armpits before he could face-plant in the sand. I kissed his rosy cheek and said, "You've got my klutziness. I'm sorry, Will. I really am. Poor thing."

"Nan-uh!" He cried gleefully as his sister began pawing through the large basket beneath a yellow umbrella. Jacob went to her side, nodding his head and listening to her chatter. William called out again, "Nan-uh!"

"Be patient," I said firmly while gently pushing on his shoulders until he plopped onto the blanket. I pointed a finger and said, "Wait until Daddy and Carlie finish making plates."

Will pouted spectacularly and I tried not to laugh. Jacob came over only a moment later with two plates. Will wiggled excitedly and I gave him a look. He grew still and tossed me a crooked grin. Jacob was smirking between the two of us. He handed me a large plate even as I reached for the much smaller plate. He playfully slapped my hand and ordered, "Eat your food. I've got him."

Balancing the plate on my leg, I watched as Jacob used a pocket-knife to slice a banana. He tore a peanut butter sandwich into several pieces and set that beside a small serving of pasta salad.

I fretted, "Jake, you need to cut it all into smaller bits."

He glanced at me, still smirking, and said, "Okay, Bells."

I kept one eye on Carlie, who was elbows deep in the basket. I frowned and asked, "What are you digging for, sweetie?"

She grunted, but it was a garbled mess. I turned back to Jacob, who was trying valiantly to keep Will's greedy fingers from the plate. I pressed my lips into a line and watched as Will smashed the banana slices into a mushed mess. He managed to get a few glops into his mouth before reaching for the pasta. I leaned over and caught his wrist between two fingers. He frowned and began to wiggle while mumbling, "Mom."

"Bells-" I cut Jacob off by quickly asking, "You made sure to give him the unseasoned portion of pasta that I left in the smaller container, right?"

Jacob straightened up from his bent over position. He looked amused and exasperated as he replied, "Yes, honey. I did."

I released Will's wrist and let him dig into his plate. Jacob turned and asked our daughter, "What ya looking for, chic-a-dee?"

"Can't find a soda, Daddy." Carlie muttered with her arms crossed. I smiled and set my plate aside before scooting closer to Will, who was spilling more food down his chest than he was managing to get into his mouth. I murmured, "Let me help."

"Here we go." Jacob was saying, "Let's split it with your brother, yeah?"

"Well," Carlie reluctantly sighed, "Okay, okay. Yeah. He'll like the flavor."

"Only a fourth, Jake. Too much soda might upset his stomach." I said as I spooned another bite of pasta into my son's mouth. He chewed loudly and enthusiastically. I knew his table manners would need plenty of work in comparison to his sister. Jacob held plastic cups with one hand while balancing Carlie by the elbow with his other hand. Carlie insisted, "Sit by me, Daddy. Please?"

Jacob kissed the crown of her messy hair as he sat down in the sand. He was already fairly close to her, but Carlie scooted even closer. Their bare feet were pressed together. His elbow brushed the back of her head every time he moved his fork, but neither one bothered to move farther away. Every few bites, Jacob would glance over at me and Will. He frowned and shoveled another mouthful of pasta before setting his half-eaten plate down. He offered, "Let me finish feeding him, Bells."

"It's okay." I said as I glanced at my husband. I turned back and used a soiled napkin to wipe at Wills' mouth. I smiled and said, "We're almost done, huh, baby?"

Will nodded and happily declared, "Mom."

"That's right." I leaned down and gave him a smacking kiss on the forehead. He giggled loudly and clapped banana-covered hands. "Mom. Mom. Mom."

Jacob chuckled and Carlie giggled. "When will he say other stuff?"

"He will in his own time." Jacob replied, "You were this little once, too."

"No way." Carlie retorted with wide chocolate-brown eyes. Jacob smiled and gently tickled under her chin. He said, "Yes way."

Carlie looked thoughtful. She asked, "What was my first word?"

"Dad." Jacob said rather proudly. His eyes sparkled brightly as he looked down at our daughter. Carlie's grin was as brilliant as her father's as she replied, "Really?"

"Yup," He replied, "You started off pronouncing the 'D' and then moved on to the rest. Just days after that, you were saying 'Momma'. Within a few weeks, you were saying all kinds of things."

"Like what?" Carlie asked after swallowing a bite of her turkey sandwich. She munched on potato chips as Jacob replied, "Ball. Dog. Tree. Gramps."

"When do we go back home to Gramps?" She demanded with a sharp frown. She took a sip of her soda. Jacob replied softly, "Soon, chick-a-dee. Aren't you having fun here in Florida?"

"Yes," She replied quickly, "I just miss Gramps. And Grandpa Charlie, too."

"We have two more days and we will fly back home, okay?" He replied.

"Okay." Carlie nodded, "Maybe Grandma Renee can come see us next time."

"I'll ask her if she and Phil will come to La Push for Christmas." I suggested.

I finished cleaning up Will's hands before putting his own cup into his hands. Tilting his dark-head back, he guzzled greedily at his drink. I raised my eyebrows while sending a bland look in Jacob's direction.

He grinned and asked, "What's that face for?"

"You know what." I said with a sigh, "He copies you. Either that or it was predetermined that he would have all of your habits."

Jacob grinned. I rolled my eyes while cleaning up after Will's mess. Jacob hopped up and said, "Eat. Come on, Bells, you've barely eaten on this entire trip."

"After I clean up this mess." I replied vaguely, "The wind might blow trash everywhere. We would have to chase it all down."

He was frowning as he turned to help Carlie wipe sticky fruit yogurt from her hands. Will was tottering about while still guzzling at his drink. I tossed all the disposable dishes away and swung Will onto my hip. He giggled as I tickled his rounded belly. After filling his cup with water, I set him on the large blanket and pulled plastic toys from a bag. Carlie was carefully closing containers of leftover food and handing them to Jacob to place into the basket.

Will was distracted from his cup when he saw the pile of brightly colored toys. I called out, "Carlie? Could you take Will to build sandcastles?"

"Oh, sure! Come on, Daddy!" She replied eagerly. She bent down, scooping up as many toys as she could hold. Jacob chuckled, kneeled at her side, and began to fill toys into a bucket. Carlie said, "Good idea."

I set Will down as he wiggled. He grabbed a yellow starfish mold and held it up while babbling gibberish. Carlie looked at it patiently before saying, "Cool. We can use it. Put it right here, Will. No, into the bucket, silly."

"Come on, Daddy." Carlie repeated, "You too, Momma."

"We will be right there." I replied and gestured. Carlie paused in mid-step and looked up at me. Jacob frowned and cast a glance in my direction. I said, "Take Will just over that way. Don't get too close to the water. We'll be watching, so don't worry."

"But-" She began and I knew an argument would ensue if I spoke another word. Jacob piped up firmly, "Do as your mother told you. It will only take a minute and then I'll help you with your sandcastle, honey."

"Oh," Carlie sighed heavily, "Okay."

She threw the bucket over her shoulder, offered a hand to Will, and walked off. I glanced at the sun, which was just beginning to lower itself. In an hour or so, it would look as if the ocean would swallow the sun. I reached out and took Jacob's hand. He squeezed softly and asked, "What's up, Bells?"

With sharp eyes, I watched as Carlie brought Will in the general direction I had pointed. They were no more than a stone's throw away from us. The beach wasn't overly packed, but there were plenty of people. I was glad the area we had chosen earlier in the day had remained fairly less populated. When Will darted for the water's edge, I knew Jacob and I would have plenty of time to reach him before Will met his intended destination.

He toddled slowly and was a bit unsteady on his little legs. Still, I gasped and lunged forward. Jacob was right behind me. Will had managed no more than two steps before Carlie had ran in front of him, blocking his way with her hands on her hips. Jacob and I paused in mid-step. We watched as Carlie's hands gestured wildly. She was frowning. I hoped Will wouldn't cry. He was a sensitive soul.

We waited until Carlie corralled Will back toward the sand toys. They sat on the ground. I said, "She's so smart. So observant. She's sitting with her back to the water, so her eyes are on him at all times."

"Gets it from her mother." Jacob replied happily.

I snorted, "Protectiveness, which she gets from her father."

We lapsed into a comfortable silence. The sound of waves and wind and laughter were all around us. I kept my eyes on our children and squeezed Jacob's hand. I sighed. He asked quietly, "What's bothering you, Bella?"

"I don't know if bother is the right word to use." I muttered.

He replied, "You've been acting strangely lately. You weren't keen on this trip all the sudden even though you planned the whole thing a year ago. You've been fiddly with cleaning and rearranging the house, too, which is something you only do when you're stressed."

Jacob prompted, "Did something happen with Renee before we came?"

"No," I replied quickly, "No. Nothing like that."

"Okay." He glanced at me and tucked stray hair behind my ear.

"You're worrying me, Bells." He said quietly.

I bit my lip and slowly said, "I'm pregnant, Jake."

I felt his hand as it automatically tightened around my own. I tore my eyes from our children just long enough to take in his expression. He looked stunned. The faint laugh lines around his mouth were slack now. With my cheeks burning, I turned back to watch Will kick sand in a circle and fall over. Carlie laughed loudly and kept digging with a plastic shovel. Jacob blankly echoed, "Pregnant?"

"Yes." I sighed.

He curiously said, "Guess condoms don't really work even now that my temperature is lower."

I mumbled, "I guess not."

He eyed me before saying, "You're not happy."

"It's not that…" I began slowly, but Jacob shook his head. He said, "I know you, Bells. You're not happy. You're worried. You're scared. And I'm not understanding it. I know we agreed two kids were plenty. We agreed, after Will was born, that birth control was needed. Those pills you took made your body and mood all whacky. That's why I made damn sure to be done with the wolf forever, so we could use condoms instead. Still, we were aware there was a small chance of you getting pregnant again."

I tried to shake his hand loose, so I could rub at my face, but Jacob didn't relinquish his hold. He was frowning. He demanded, "Is it bad? When did you find out? Have you been to the doctor? Are there complications?"

I muttered, "No. Well, kind of."
"Damnit, Bells." Jacob huffed before stepping in front of me and blocking my view of the children. I smacked at his chest. He stepped back and said, "Good. Now that I have your attention, I need you to talk to me."

With my eyes on Will, who was now trying to eat sand and being stopped by an irritated Carlie, I felt my tension lessen somewhat. I slowly explained, "I wasn't paying attention to my cycle. Carlie had that project for science class and ballet practice twice a week. Will had the sniffles and then Charlie got sick, which meant I was flustered. Your dad was a life-saver for offering to watch him until Charlie felt better. I was trying to help Emily by pre-planning meals for everyone on the weekends. She's so tired lately with Grady. You know how newborns are."

I sighed heavily, "I was working my regular three-day schedule at the doctor's office, too. Then, we were planning for this vacation. When I started feeling off, I thought I had caught the same cold Will had. Then, I thought it was because I had forgotten to eat lunch or because I hadn't slept well. By the time I figured out what was happening, we were a week away from our vacation. I took a few tests one day while you were at work. They all came back positive. I set up an appointment at the hospital for the next day. They confirmed."

"Honey," Jacob sighed, "You should have told me. And I'm not just talking about being pregnant. Hell, never mind. I should have noticed. You're so busy at times. You got to learn to slow down, baby."

"Well," I said, "I'm about to be the busiest I've ever been."

"We can do this, Bells." He turned to face me in earnest. He gave a lopsided grin and said, "I know we can. We've done it twice before. You'll have to quit your job for now. Once Will is in school, maybe you could go back…or not. You haven't ever really liked your secretary gig at the bank this last year."

"There's no doubt about it," I muttered with a roll of my eyes, "I definitely have to quit my job, but quitting is a big problem."
"Why?" Jacob asked curiously.

I gave him a glare. His face grew tight. He slowly said, "If you're worried about money, I don't think you should be. We own our house and land, Bells. Our vehicles are paid off and kept in good shape. We always cover the bills and food. The kids always have birthday and Christmas gifts. Insurance will be a killer, but we can make it work. Sue can help with all but the worst sickness or injuries like she always has. We rarely have to use the insurance outside of the birth and yearly checkups."

My heart was in my throat. I swallowed heavily and met his dark gaze. I croaked, "Twins, Jacob."

He blinked. I repeated, "Twins. Two babies."

He choked, "How…what? Twins? You're sure?"

I nodded and crossed my arms over my stomach. Jacob automatically reached down and gently pulled my arms away from my body. His gaze flickered down to my stomach. I was wearing a cotton dress in a deep green color. The fabric was flowing and spacious. His big palm tenderly cupped my stomach. Fingers probed. I watched his face as he frowned and asked, "How far along are you?"

"Thirteen weeks yesterday." I replied quietly.

Jacob's eyebrows shot up. He demanded, "Are you serious?"

"Yes," I fretted, "I'm sorry. I didn't even know myself until we left home."

"We've been in Florida for days, Bella." Jacob sighed hotly and closed his eyes. His hand brushed across my stomach for a moment before he opened his eyes. He firmly said, "I should have paid attention to how tired you were. You should have told me how sick you were feeling. You should have told me as soon as you took the pregnancy tests. And you definitely should have told me once you went to the doctor."

I nodded and murmured, "Yes. I should have."

"We have to communicate, honey." Jacob whispered before leaning down and pressing a chaste kiss to my lips. I gave a wobbly smile when he suddenly let out a chuckle. "Well, this makes things a lot easier."

My eyes widened. I asked, "How is that?"

"We need a bigger house." He replied with a firm nod.

"Yes, but our funds aren't going to help us with that." I replied dryly.

Jacob smirked and simply said, "We build an addition onto the house."

"That isn't in the cards, either, Jacob." I mumbled.

"Sure, it is." He said, "We have a decent savings account. We can afford to build another bedroom and bathroom. I have a brother who works for the local lumber company, remember? I also have a brother-in-law who builds structures for a living. I have another brother who went to school to be an electrician. Besides, I'm a handy guy. Spent my childhood repairing Dad's place. Can't tell you how many times I've had to patch up that old toilet and bathtub. Besides, I built our tool shed, didn't I? Pretty good with my hands, don't you agree, honey?"

I was trying not to smile as I replied, "The shed leaks."

Jacob rolled his eyes and waved his hand before saying, "Technicalities."

Two days later, by the time we were miles high in the sky and on our way home, Jacob had put in orders for materials from Port Angeles. The first weekend home, we informed our parents and friends about our double-surprising news. The months passed in a hectic and stressful storm of juggling schedules, gathering supplies, and hammering on walls.

Months later, two healthy and beautiful babies were born into the world. The one with overflowing ebony locks and deep russet skin was named Raven Renee Black. She was exactly seventeen minutes older than her younger sister, Serena Sarah Black, who was a petite thing with mocha eyes and reddish-brown ringlets nearly identical to her Grandpa Charlie's. When they arrived home, there was a brand-new bedroom and bathroom waiting for them.

As the years passed, each of our children grew into their own. Carlie was the eldest and she took the role of big sister so very seriously. She had a short temper and was over-zealous in her protective tendencies. Any time she fiercely butted heads with either Jacob or myself, I was starkly reminded of who's child she was. Her studious nature and passion for learning, specifically about marine biology, earned her acceptance at a great many public universities across the country. A handful offered her partial scholarships once she graduated high school.

When the letter from Harvard arrived, I was happy to deliver it to Carlie. When the letter boasted a significant amount of money offered through a fairly new and private fund, I was suspicious yet not surprised. My internet search provided very little information, besides a basic e-mail address for contacting the company responsible for the scholarship. When it became clear that Harvard was Carlie's choice, Jacob and I helped her plan. We e-mailed and faxed paperwork. We booked flights and car rentals. We juggled funds and helped Carlie schedule her classes for her first term. Only once Carlie was settled in a dorm-room and excitedly chattering to me about her first week of class over the phone did I sit down with my battered laptop.

I could hear Jacob snoring on the sofa from the next room. I knew, because I had just looked, that the twins were curled on his chest while napping. Staring at a blank screen, I began to type. I erased the message and began again. My cursor hovered for some time before I clicked the SEND button. The e-mail simply read: Thank you. Love, Bella.

The next morning, a ten-year-old Will poured cold cereal for his younger sisters at the kitchen table. I had already received a cheerful 'good morning' text message from Carlie. I was pouring two mugs of coffee at the counter when there was a knock on the front door. I peeked through the curtains before smiling and calling out, "Come in!"

I pulled a third mug from the cabinet and poured. There were girly squeaks of happiness followed by Will happily calling out, "Hey, Gramps!"

Billy rolled down the hallway and came to a stop just in the kitchen entrance. His sparkling eyes roamed over all of us. He chuckled warmly and opened his arms as Raven and Serena climbed into his lap. They were growing so quickly that I knew they both wouldn't be able to fit on each of his knees for much longer. He greeted, "Hello. Hello. How are we doing this fine morning?"

"We're great, Billy." I said over the excited chatter of my daughters. I set a mug on the kitchen table and said, "Girls. Girls. Eat your breakfast and let Gramps have his coffee."

I hurried to add a touch of honey to the first mug of coffee. I was stirring with one hand and awkwardly flipping pancakes with the other hand. Jacob came around the corner and greeted everyone cheerfully before kissing me on the cheek. He took the spatula from me and began pouring fresh batter. He said, "Ohhh. Blueberry pancakes. Thanks, honey. Hey, Dad. Where's Charlie?"

There was a knock on the door. Billy chuckled, "Speak of the devil…"

"And he shall appear." Jacob finished up while giving a wink to our daughters. Raven rolled her eyes while Serena giggled. Both were spilling little dribbles of milk all over the handsome table Jacob had built and stained with his own hands when Carlie had been just an infant nearly eighteen years before.

Charlie's hefty, shuffling footsteps could be heard as he lumbered down the hallway. He smiled widely, showing off a face of laugh lines and very crinkly eyes, as the girls abandoned their breakfast once more. I watched with a smile as they offered slippery kisses to Charlie's whiskers. He was frowning and discreetly wiping at his face as Billy laughed heartedly. Will asked curiously, "Where's Grammy Sue?"

"She's picking Leah up at the airport, kiddo." Charlie replied as he ruffled Will's long, black hair. He was obsessed with having it as long as his father's ever since Jacob began to grow it out again. Will asked, "Gramps, Grandpa, when can we go fishing again? Can we go soon?"

"Sure, sure." Billy replied easily, "Next weekend, if the weather is good."

"Sounds great to me." Charlie added.

A few minutes later, I was wiping up spilt milk and passing out plates. As all of us sat down to piles of blueberry pancakes, I couldn't help but notice how gray Charlie's hair was becoming. He was in his early fifties, but somehow, he seemed younger than he ever had when I was a kid. I contributed it to a happy marriage with Sue and the proud title of Grandpa.

"When can we go to Aunt Em's and Uncle Sam's house?" Raven demanded as she took a heaping mouthful of pancakes. Syrup drippled down her chin. I reached over and swiped at her face. She frowned heavily. I wiped my sticky fingers on my pajama bottoms. Jacob said, "After breakfast."

"Good." Serena declared, "We want to see John and Grady."

"You'll see them soon." Jacob reassured.

"If you manage to properly brush your teeth and wash your hands." I added.

"I'm done." Raven declared before jumping up and darting down the hallway. Serena took another bite and gulped at her orange juice. She said, "Me, too."

With that, she stood up and skipped out the room. Charlie chuckled, "Spunky. The both of them."

"Absolutely." Billy agreed as he carefully cut at his pancakes. His hands were shakier and weaker as he aged, which worried me often, but Sue insisted he was fairly healthy for his age. Charlie took a slurp of his coffee as Jacob chortled, "They're going to cover the floor in water and waste half the tube of toothpaste, Bells."

"Probably," I sighed, "but they have to figure it out at some point."

"At least we know Serena will mop up the water." Jacob replied.

Billy piped up, "We all know Raven is too stubborn and independent. She would only be mad if you insisted on standing over her."

Jacob snorted, "She's so stubborn and Serena follows her examples most of the time. Drives me crazy."

"Like somebody else we know, huh, Jake?" Charlie asked.

Jacob grinned brightly as he winked at me. He said, "Maybe so."

"Dad, are you finished with your plate?" Will asked as he stood up and stacked his dishes. Jacob said, "Yes. Thanks, little man."

"Dad." He complained while blushing heavily. My son was cursed with my pale skin and I felt terrible about it. Will ducked his head in embarrassment as he muttered, "I'm not little."

I shot Jacob a glare and he quickly replied, "Sorry, Will."

"Thanks, sweetie." I said as I stood up and collected what he couldn't carry. We washed dishes side-by-side. There was the occasional thump and laugh from the bathroom. The three men were just finishing their coffee as I said, "Jacob, go check on the girls, please. I don't want a flood pouring down the hallway."

"Sure, sure, honey." He replied in amusement before exiting the kitchen. As I was drying the last of the dishes, I told Will, "Go brush your teeth and get dressed."

He waltzed out of the room. I listened to the soothing drone of Charlie and Billy talking. Absent-mindedly, I refilled their mugs and put away the last of the cleaned dishes. When I heard a soft ping from my laptop, I walked to the nook nearest the window. The screen was glowing, so I tapped the keyboard. For a split second, I was frozen. After a moment, I opened the new e-mail. It read: We will look out for them all. Forever yours.

My sigh was long and low. When I felt the warmth of hands around my waist, I didn't pull away. I didn't try to hide the screen. Instead, I leaned against the strong chest at my back and whispered, "I hope this doesn't upset you."

"Irritates a bit," He whispered in my ear a moment later, "but I think I get it."

"What do you mean?" I quietly asked.

He replied, "If you had married someone else and had kids with him, I'd like to think I wouldn't have resented you for it. Even had I resented you, I can't imagine a world where I wouldn't have helped any child of yours had he or she needed it. Of course, Carlie didn't need help. She could have gone to a school without their money."

"Yes," I said, "but not one of that reputation and magnitude. Part of me is frustrated because this is exactly what he was like back then- interfering and controlling, but I can't lie to you. The idea that the Cullens are out there and willing to watch over our children makes me feel…better. It isn't that we aren't capable, Jake. It's just that…"

"The Cullens will live forever," He whispered roughly, "They can live forever and keep tabs on our family for centuries. Our grandkid's kids and beyond that. Those vampires have abilities that we will never have. They will be here long after we're gone, which means they can protect our family when we can't."

I closed my eyes and softly said, "I love you, Jacob."

"I love you too, Bella."

And for a very long time, a family of golden-eyed immortals did exactly as they had promised.