EPOV

Stretching across the bed, I reached for Bella, finding only the cold sheets. Sitting up, I looked at the clocked, cringing when the glaring red numbers read half past five. Running my hand over my face, I threw the blankets off me and climbed out of bed. Slipping my boxers back on, I went in search of my wife.

After checking the bathroom to make sure she hadn't gotten sick, I stepped into the hallway. My eyes automatically searched out the boys' room. I reminded myself that they had stayed with my parents and turned toward Bella's office. The door was open, but I saw the wavering glow from her monitor, which provided the only illumination in the darkened room. Leaning against the door frame, I smiled. My Bella was perched over her computer, lost in the characters dancing inside her head.

"What are you doing up?" I moved behind her, pressing my lips to the top of her head.

"Couldn't sleep," she murmured with a sigh. "Figured I'd write."

I shifted my eyes to the monitor. "Your book for Caius?"

She tensed her shoulders, exhaling a sharp breath. "Yes."

"How's it coming?" I dropped to my knees next to her. "Are you regretting agreeing to write it?"

Bella shook her head, turning her chair toward me. Leaning forward, she rested her forehead against my shoulder, her hands finding my bare hips. My skin tingled from her touch. "In my heart, I know I'm doing the right thing, for a good cause, but I'm struggling with the idea of doing anything for that man."

"Baby, you know he didn't mean to betray you trust."

"Of course, I know that, but he did." Sighing, she lifted her eyes up to mine. "I trusted him with more than just my words, I gave him access to my very soul. You know how much of myself I poured into my book."

"I do." Moving my hand over her heart, I smiled. "But you have a big heart, baby, and I know you'll find the strength to forgive him."

"And if I don't?" Bella asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You will, but if by some strange abnormality you don't, then I'll be here to tell you that it's okay."

"I don't deserve you," she muttered, stifling a yawn.

"Yeah, because it's you who's unworthy," I scoffed, standing up. Taking her hand, I pulled Bella to her feet. "Come back to bed."

"Okay," she breathed.

Giving her a moment to save her work and shut down her computer, I slipped my arm around her waist, leading the way back down to our bedroom. Pulling her back into bed, I nestled her against my chest, holding her cozily against my body. Pressing my lips to her shoulder, I drifted back to sleep.

When I awoke, I found myself alone in bed once again. Moving to the side of the bed, I noticed the clock read a quarter after nine. Stopping in the bathroom first, I washed my hands and brushed my teeth, before slipping on a pair of dark, charcoal gray sweatpants and a t-shirt. The aroma of dark blend Dunkin Donuts drew my attention to the kitchen. Bella knew it was my favorite coffee. I found her standing in front of the back door, fleece blanket wrapped around her shoulder. Moving up behind her, I placed my hands on her hips, nuzzling the side of her neck, earning me a breathless sigh.

"Morning," she murmured, turning in my arms. Resting her hand on my chest, she looked up at me, a dozen emotions flashing in her eyes.

Sliding a hand up, I brushed a tear off her cheek with the pad of my thumb. "Baby, why are you crying?"

"I don't know," she laughed, fear lacing each word. Leaning into my hand, her eyes fluttered to a close. "I was watching the birds in the back yard. You know how I love to watch them."

"I do."

"This tiny little Blue Jay hopped across the edge of the bird bath, trying to get closer. It was so adorable," she explained, laying her head on my chest. "Guess that sounds pretty crazy, doesn't it?"

"No," I lied, because honestly, it did, but I knew better than to admit that. Hormones made pregnant women a little off. "Have you been up long?"

"Just a few minutes." Bella blushed. "I, um, kind of forgot that the boys had stayed with your parents last night and thought we'd overslept."

I tried not to laugh. Seriously, I tried, but the sweet, innocent look in her eyes sent me over the edge. Burying my face in her dark hair, I allowed the rumbling laughter to slip between my lips.

"Edward!" she exclaimed, pushing me away.

"I'm sorry, baby, but you looked so ashamed," I snickered.

Rolling her eyes, she huffed and swatted me in the chest. "Gee, thanks."

Grumbling under her breath, Bella opened the refrigerator, grabbing the orange juice. I settled at the table, opening my laptop while she poured herself a tall glass and showing me mercy by bringing me a cup of coffee. She pretended to be offended, but the sparkle in her eyes and the small dimple around her lips gave her away. Sitting with her knees pulled up in front of her, she watched me, but every time I looked over at her, she'd turn to the back door. She was playing a very dangerous game.

Placing her feet on the floor, she leaned forward, drumming her nails on the table. I tried to focus on clearing my in-box, but like every time she was near me, my attention was on her. Trying to be discreet, but failing, Bella slowly slipped her hand across the table, tracing her fingers on the outside of my gold wedding band, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. Clearing my throat, I shifted in my chair, feeling my cock twitch in my pants. That little minx knew just what that did to me.

"Bella," I gritted out, warning her.

"Yes, Edward?" she purred, her voice sending shivers throughout my entire body.

"Be careful what you start, love." I shifted my eyes up to hers, finding hers full of lust.

Smirking, she stood up, sliding her hand up my arm as she came around behind me. Leaning forward, her lips grazed the outside of my ear, my cock to jump at attention. "Sorry, lover," she breathed, "I'm going to go take a long, hot shower."

Before I could resound, she was out of the room. Standing up, I carefully closed my laptop and chased after her. When I caught up to her, she was laid out on our bed, wearing nothing but a pair of red, satin panties. I clenched my jaw tight, struggling not to turn into a fifteen year old boy again. Throwing my hand back, I slammed the door shut, ripping my shirt off and tossing it onto the floor.

"You dirty little tease," I growled, crawling onto the end of the bed and gripping her ankles. Yanking hard, I pulled her under me.

"Edward!' she squealed.

"You were mean," I murmured, nipping my lips along the side of her neck. "You know that I don't like it when you are mean."

"I'm sorry." She lied; we both knew she got off on teasing me.

I scoffed, sliding my hand up her leg, finding the edge of her panties. "You don't sound very sorry."

"No, really I am." She smirked, weaving her fingers in my hair. Tugging, she pulled my head back. I winced and moaned, my dick twitched wanting more. "Okay, so maybe I'm not, but you still love me."

"I do."

Crushing my lips to hers, I groaned when the phone rang. Perfect fucking timing. I tried to ignore the blaring ring, but it would not stop. Releasing my hair, Bella slipped from under me, wrapping the sheet around her half nude body. Cursing the invention of the telephone, I fell back on the bed, palming my erection through my pants. This had better been damned important.

Yanking the handset off the base on her nightstand, she took a deep breath. "Hello...this is Bella Cullen...oh no, is he okay...we'll be right there...five minutes top," she blurted, before slamming the phone on the table. Looking back at me, she had tears swimming in her eyes. "Anthony's hurt."

"What? What happened?" Scrambling out of bed, I began pulling drawers open in search for some clothes.

"All they would tell he was that he fell," she whispered. Stopping, I looked over at her, finding her still sitting on the edge of the bed, sheet wrapped tightly around her, and tears swimming in her eyes.

"Oh, baby," I murmured, crossing the room and dropping to my knees in front of her. Cupping her face in my hands, I leaned up, pressing my forehead against hers. "He's going to be okay. You know how tough that kid is."

"I know," she cried, covering my hands with hers. "But I knew, this morning I had a feeling and I knew!"

"Shh," I soothed. "Let's just get dressed and go see if he's okay."

Taking a shaky breath, Bella nodded, allowing me to help her to her feet. Five minutes later, we'd both dressed and were headed toward the school. Clutching desperately at my hand, Bella tried to take calm, even breaths, but I knew her better than that. She was freaking out, thinking the worst. I loved her, but sometimes, she let her fears get the best of her.

Parking in front of the school, I'd barely shifted the car into park when Bella threw open her door, forgetting that she had her seat belt on. "Motherfucker!" she spat, slamming her hand down on the little red, release button. "Let me go!"

"Baby, calm down." Grabbing her hands, I undid her belt, being careful that it didn't fly up and hit her. Closing her eyes, she inhaled a sharp breath, trying to calm down. "Now, let's go."

Placing my hand on the small of her back, we burst into the school, bypassing the office and heading straight for the nurse's office. When we walked into the small room, we found him sitting on the bed, holding a bandage to his forehead. Shifting my eyes down, I noticed the red, sticky bloodstains on his shirt.

"What the hell happened?" Bella demanded, moving over to him. Covering the bandage with her hand, she pulled it back, exposing the two inch gash across his forehead. "Oh, my God!"

"Mom, it's nothing," grumbled Anthony, shifting his eyes away from hers. "It doesn't even hurt."

"Anthony, what happened?" I asked, taking the fresh tourniquet from the nurse and pressing it down on his wound.

Huffing, Anthony began telling his story. "Okay, we were out on the playground, right? Alex and I were on the swings, minding our own business when out of nowhere, someone came up behind me and pushed me out of the swing. I fell forward, but before I could stop, I hit one of the bars and,yeah, broke my head."

"Someone just pushed you?" I questioned, giving a look. Rolling his eyes, he bit his lip, a sure sign that there was more to the story than he was telling. "Anthony?"

"Well, we might have been playing this game with Elliott," he mumbled.

"What type of game?" At the sound of Bella's voice, he looked up at her, eyes flying open. The mixture of worry and suspicion made it clear that he'd better start fessing up.

"A jumping contest," he muttered under his breath.

"Anthony!" Bella exclaimed.

"Look, Mom, I know it was stupid. Please don't be mad at me," he pleaded, sticking his lip out. I almost rolled my eyes at him, but then saw Bella's eyes soften. She'd always been such a sucker for that look.

"We'll talk about it later, but now, I think we'd better take you to the hospital. I'm pretty sure you're going to need stitches."

"Cool," Anthony laughed, letting her help him off the bed. "Will I have a scar like Harry Potter?"

"We can only hope," scoffed Bella, shaking her head.

Thanking the nurse for everything, we headed out to the car. Bella rode in the backseat with Anthony, holding the bandage against his head. He grumbled under his breath about not being a baby, but in the rear view mirror, I saw him scoot closer to his mom. Big kid or not, he still needed his mom when things got hard. He always would, too.

On the way to the Children's Hospital, I called my dad, letting him know that we were bringing Anthony in. Knowing him the way I did, I knew he had to stifle his own chuckle when I explained what happened. Of course, it might have been Anthony yelling about the distance he got before he smacked his head. Bella didn't find it nearly as funny as we did.

Ten minutes later, I pulled up in front of the emergency room, where we found Carlisle waiting for us. He started to smile until he noticed the scowl on Bella's face. Trying to match her disappointed look, he shook his head, placing his hand on Anthony's shoulder. "What were you thinking, young man?"

"Wasn't really thinking at all." Anthony shrugged his shoulders. "At least until I hit the bar, then all I could think of was how much it hurt and how pissed mom was going to be because I got blood on my shirt."

"Language, Anthony," hissed Bella. "And your shirt is the last of my concerns. You're lucky you only busted your head open, you really could have hurt yourself."

"I know, Mom." Looking at the ground, he frowned. "I'm sorry."

Taking a deep breath, she shook her head. "Yeah, yeah, let's just get you fixed. I don't much like seeing the hole in your head. Your brain might fall out."

"Not like I really need it anyway," he snickered.

Carlisle, struggling to keep his laughter at bay, threw his head back. "Oh, my boy, you've been spending too much time around your Uncle Emmett."

Under Bella's heated glare, my father ushered us into the hospital and straight into an examination room. Pealing back the bloody tourniquet, Carlisle whistled through his teeth, but didn't comment on the wound at all. Perhaps, he caught sight of the grimace on Bella's face and knew it'd be better to keep his opinions to himself. He cleaned the wound, making sure he didn't have a concussion, before he pulled out a suture kit and began closing the wound.

"I'll be outside," muttered Bella, covering her mouth and throwing the door to his room open.

Looking over at me as the door closed, Carlisle lifted an eyebrow. "Weak stomach?"

"No," I sighed, heading after her. "Problems seeing her son hurt knowing that she can't make it better."

When I stepped out into the hall, Bella had her back to the door, one hand covering her mouth and the other across her chest. Wrapping my arms around her, I turned her to face me, nestling her against me. Gripping the front of my t-shirt, she held on as her tears rocked through her body. Instead of saying anything, I did the only thing I could, I let her cry. My words weren't going to help right now; she just hated to see her children hurt.

"Momma," whispered Anthony. Lifting her head off my chest, Bella looked over at him. He and Carlisle were standing in the doorway of his room, both looking somber. "I'm sorry, Momma."

With a subtle shake of her head, Bella walked over to him, cupping his face in her soft hands. "You did nothing wrong, Anthony. You're a kid, who will do stupid things all the time. Just try not to break yourself, okay? I'm kind of partial to you being in one whole piece."

"Yeah, now that I think about it, it wasn't the brightest idea," muttered Anthony.

"Gee, ya think?" I snorted, joining them. "Dude, seriously?"

"Elliott dared me," whined Anthony. "You know I cannot refuse a dare."

"Yeah, well, learn to," ordered Bella.

"Yes, Ma'am," grumbled Anthony.

Looking up at Carlisle, Bella reached around Anthony, taking his hand. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me," he said, squeezing her hand. "You have a pretty tough kid there, Bella."

"Yeah, I know."

"Okay, no showers for the next few days, keep the wound cleaned and dry. Give him something for the pain, Tylenol or Ibuprofen, but watch him for the next handful of hours. I don't believe he has a concussion, but with a head as hard as his, you can't be too careful."

"Papa!" Anthony exclaimed, throwing his arms up.

"Sorry, kiddo." Carlisle shrugged his shoulders. "Try not to get broken again, your mom won't let you stay over anymore if you do."

Handing me some extra bandages, he left us standing alone in the hallway. Bringing her hand up to the top of his head, Bella sighed. "Let's get you home."

"Can we stop and get McDonald's for lunch?"

"No," I scoffed. "Just because you're broken, doesn't mean you get to have a Bic Mac."

"Please," begged Anthony, turning his pout on Bella.

I slipped my hand over his mouth. "Don't even think about it, dude. You can have a sandwich at home. Be glad you get to eat anything."

"Fine," came his muffled reply. "But it's not fair."

"Yeah, well, life's not fair," giggled Bella.

Twenty minutes later and several ignored mutters from Anthony, we were back home. After a quick sandwich and handful of forced carrots, he mumbled something under his breath about being in his room and not to come in without knocking. Sharing a look with Bella, I resisted the urge to ask what he and Alex had been up to for the last couple of weeks, hoping that my trust in my sons would not be mislaid.

Bella spent the afternoon going between her office and knocking on Anthony's door, asking him if was okay. While I know he was getting annoyed with her, he told her over and over that he was fine. Yeah, just fine with the exception of the handful of stitches in his head. Of course, I didn't say that to him. Bella had already made him feel guilty for getting hurt.

I messed around on my laptop, dumping a few shots I knew were crap, but mostly, I fielded phone calls from everyone. I do mean everyone.

First, Esme called and insisted that she come over to help. It took me telling her that we had everything under control at least ten times before she reluctantly agreed to stay home. Next, Emmett called, saying he wanted to congratulate Anthony on causing everyone to worry about him. Laughing under my breath, I promised to pass on the message, just had to make sure that Bella wasn't anywhere close. She would not find nearly as funny as I did. After Emmett called, I talked to Alice, Jasper, Kate, Angela, and finally Rose. All of whom offered to go pick Alex up at school for us. While I appreciated the offers, I felt I needed to be the one to pick him up.

So just after three, I climbed into the car and headed down to the school, parking behind Rose. She smiled while I joined her, Angela, and Kate outside of the double doors. It was almost an odd moment of deja vu back to when the boys first started school and I'd find myself waiting for Anthony to get out, only this time, I was waiting on Alex.

Once the bell rang, I stood back while the hoard of children came rushing out. As always, Alex, Elliott, Anna, and Mattie were the last ones out of the building. It was odd to see them coming out with Anthony with them. Shifting his eyes up off the ground, Alex tensed, pulling away from the others and running up to me.

"Where's Anthony?" he fretted. "Is he okay? Is Mom with him?"

"Calm down, Alex," I replied, placing my hand on his shoulder. "He's at home with Mom. He had to get five stitches, but he's fine."

Alex exhaled, the tension fading from his shoulders. "Thank God. There was so much blood."

"Yeah, head wounds tend to bleed a lot."

Elliott cleared his throat, stepping up beside the two of us. Only a little over a year older than the boys, he towered over both of them. Broader in the shoulders, he'd inherited his physique from Emmett. "Uncle Edward, I'm really sorry that I dared Anthony to jump from the swing. I didn't think he'd get hurt."

"It's okay, Elliott, let's just call this a lesson learned," I told him.

"Yeah, okay, but he did get good air before the bar got in the way," muttered Elliott.

"So I heard," I laughed.

"Elliott, we're going to be having a long talk tonight," groused Rose, grabbing him by the collar.

"But, Mom," he whined. "Dad told me it was fun!"

Shaking her head, she started dragging him toward her car. "What have I told you about listening to your father?"

Trying my hardest to stifle my laughter, Alex and I headed over to the car. Emmett would be in almost as much trouble as Elliott. Part of me felt sorry for him, but the other part, the one that spent the first eighteen years of my life at his mercy, felt he kind of deserved whatever he got. Starting the car, I shifted into drive and headed back home. I'd barely parked in the driveway when Alex was out of the car and inside the house.

Following him in, I found Bella standing in the living room with her mouth wide open. "He didn't even stop and say hi. Just tossed his backpack on the floor and rushed off to his room." Frowning, she turned back to me. "He doesn't need me anymore."

Slipping one hand around her waist, and the other up to her cheek, I leaned in and brushed my lips across hers. "Good thing, we're having a new one. We've got a good ten years out this one."

Giggling, she wrapped her arms around my neck. "And just think, we have two almost ready-made babysitters, too."

"I like the way you think, baby."

Sliding her fingers into my hair, she kissed me again. "Later tonight, you'll love the way I think, lover."

Pulling out of my embrace, she laughed at my shocked expression, heading down to her office. My sexy, little minx.