EPOV

I paced nervously in the living room, ignoring the snickers coming from the boys, who were sitting on the sofa enjoying the fact that I was losing my mind. Lifting my hand, I barely stopped myself from dragging my fingers through my hair. It'd taken me nearly half an hour to get it to lie down and I didn't have time to fix it. Dropping my hand back to my side, I sighed and looked over at the boys. They tried to hide their smirks, but failed miserably.

"Promise me that you'll be good," I said for the fifth time in the last hour.

And for the fifth time in the last hour, the simultaneously rolled their eyes and said, "We promise."

"I swear, Dad, you act like we're heathens or something," Anthony laughed.

"I'm not convinced you're not," I muttered just as someone knocked on the door to our apartment. Glaring at Alex and Anthony, I went over and opened it, finding Angela and Anna standing before me with huge smiles on their faces. "Hey."

"Hello, Mr. Cullen," Anna greeted me.

"It's Edward, Anna," I reminded her and stepped out of the way. "Please come in."

"Thanks, Mr. Cullen," Angela snickered as she and Anna came in. Anna made a beeline for Alex, who'd stood up and hugged her awkwardly. "Oh, Ben's gonna be very tense tonight."

"Um, yeah," I laughed. "Thanks for keeping the boys on such short notice."

"Don't worry about it." Angela waved me off as Anna, Alex, and Anthony came over to us. "We've got movies in the car and Ben was ordering a couple of pizzas. I might have even picked up some ice cream at the store this afternoon." Alex, Anthony, and Anna cheered, causing me to laugh. Angela placed her hand on my shoulder and said, "I have everything under control, Edward. You and Bella need to have fun tonight."

"We will." I shifted my attention over to the boys. "If she tells me that you were brats, I will have to kill you."

"Wow, Dad, kill us?" Alex snorted. "That might be a bit extreme, don't you think?"

"No," I said, seriously.

"Okay, well, we're not ready to die yet, so I guess we won't be brats," Anthony teased.

Angela laughed with them as she ushered the boys out into the hall and toward the stairwell. Closing the door behind them, I turned and walked down the hallway and leaned against the doorway to the bathroom, watching as Bella finished her makeup. I still wasn't sure we should be going tonight, but Bella had insisted that we attend Caius' fundraiser. Bella was twenty-weeks pregnant and had already had too many problems with her blood pressure. But since her blood pressure had come down a little more thanks to two extra weeks in bed without worrying about her book, Tia agreed — though reluctantly.

The first of Renee's journals was sitting on the counter next to her. Though Bella hadn't been able to get the strength or courage to read it yet, she carried it with her every time she climbed out of bed. I wasn't sure she should read it. After all, Renee had done nothing but hurt Bella since she was a little girl, but the decision had to be hers. Renee was her mother and Bella struggled to understand why or how Renee could just leave her. Honestly, so did I. Bella was simply amazing; I couldn't imagine ever having a reason to leave her.

"I'm gonna get a complex if you keep staring at me." Bella smiled and looked over at me. She looked amazing: happy and content. Alice had brought her a simple black cocktail dress that hugged her breasts but then flared over her growing belly. Bella had pulled her hair up on the back of her head, leaving her neck exposed. She looked spectacular. Of course, I always thought she was the most beautiful woman in the room.

"Sorry," I lied. "How are you feeling?"

Bella sighed. "I'm fine. I promise."

Nodding, I didn't say anything else. I smoothed down the front of my black tuxedo and smiled as Bella stepped away from the vanity. "You look beautiful, love."

A delicious blush crept over her cheeks, and I stifled my moan. After five years of marriage, I still never got used to seeing the way her body responded to me.

"Thank you," Bella murmured, coming over to me and placing her hand on my chest. "You look sexy as fuck, baby. If we didn't have this fundraiser, I'd totally fuck your brains out right now."

"We don't have to go," I suggested, raising an eyebrow. Just as I knew she would, Bella sighed and shook her head. "I didn't think so."

"I know you're worried," Bella whispered, "but it's going to be okay. My blood pressure is almost normal and I've been resting all day. Hell, I've been resting for three weeks, Edward. Let's just have fun tonight. Please?"

"We will," I murmured, kissing her. "And I'm sorry if I'm worrying too much. I can't help it."

Bella smiled. "I know, that's why I'm here to tell you to stop."

"As long as you're here, baby, you can say whatever you want to me," I replied, quietly.

Wrapping her arm around mine, Bella and I stopped in the living room so she could pick up her clutch and sheer, black wrap. Making sure the door was locked behind us, Bella and I headed down to our car. I tightened my hold on Bella as we took the stairs, not wanting her to fall. Just the thought of her falling down the stairs while pregnant had me cringing.

Once we were down the stairs, I helped Bella into the car and ran around to the driver's side. Turning the heater on and making sure she was warm; I pulled out of our parking space and headed downtown to the convention center.

I could tell Bella was nervous about tonight. She'd worked very hard to get her book written, and with the fire causing her to nearly have to start over, she'd been so stressed. None of which helped her blood pressure at all, of course. To add to the stress already sitting on her shoulders, Caius was going to be there. While Bella understood that it wasn't his fault that a part of her book had been leaked, it was still hard for her to trust him not to hurt her again. All I could think about was how all of this stress was affecting her and the babies.

"Loosen up that grip, baby," Bella giggled, reaching over and placing her hand on top of mine. "You're gonna have a stroke if you don't relax."

"I'm trying." Huffing, I sighed. "I'm worried. I know you're gonna tell me not to, but I can't help it, Bella."

"Edward, I know," Bella replied. "Trust me, I've been scared, too, but I have faith that Brody and Sarah are watching over us. Hell, Edward, they've been here every step of the way, haven't they?"

I smiled. "That they have."

I pulled up in front of the convention center and shifted into park. "Promise me again that if you get tired or start to feel bad, that we'll leave."

Bella smiled. "I promise to tell you if I start to feel bad or get too tired and you can whisk me back home and pamper me all you want."

"Thank you." Climbing out of the car, I rush around as the valet opened Bella's door. I held my hand out to her, helping her out before I dropped the keys to our car in the valet's hand. At least Bella wouldn't have to walk across a huge parking lot tonight, that made me feel a little better about coming. Once we were inside, Bella shrugged her wrap off and folded it over her arm.

Sliding my hand across her back, I led Bella into the banquet room, which was easily the size of a football field. There were dozens of tables circled around a large platform where several tables had been set up. On top of the tables were all of the items that had been donated by various people in the community. A few paintings from some of the local galleries, several pieces of jewelry from local jewelers, and on display in the middle table was a copy of Bella's book. Nudging her toward the platform, Bella and I stopped in front of her book.

"Wow," Bella murmured, reaching out and picking up the hardcover. On the cover of the book was a photo of an empty hospital bed, the covers had been thrown back and there was an impression of a person's head in the pillow. "I can't believe it's real."

"It is," I whispered, leaning over and brushing my lips across her cheek. "I'm proud of you."

"For what?" Bella asked, shifting her eyes over to me.

"For so many things, but right now, for giving back," I explained.

"Oh, it was nothing," Bella grumbled, dropping her eyes away from mine.

"It was more than nothing." At the sound of Caius' voice, Bella tensed up. Turning, we found him standing behind us, looking just as nervous as Bella did. "You look beautiful, Isabella."

"Thank you," Bella replied, tensely.

"Isabella, I can't thank you enough for agreeing to donate your book," Caius mumbled, clearly unsure on if he should talk to her or not. Bella had made her feelings toward the man clear over the last few years. "My son . . . well, he was a lover of literature. One of the reasons I opened my store in the first place. Nathan believed that there was a story inside everyone that needed to be told." Caius reached out and pulled Bella's book out of her hands. Dragging his fingers over the cover, he whispered thickly, "I miss him — every day I miss him."

Bella stepped away from me, reaching out and curling her fingers around Caius'. He shifted his blue eyes up to hers with tears swimming in them. Nathan had only been fifteen when he was diagnosed with Leukemia. For three years Nathan fought against the cancer that was killing him. Of course, neither Bella nor I had ever met him, but Caius had told us about his son. Nathan was the reason Bella had started her book Healing through Love in the first place.

We'd just gotten home from a book signing for her first book in the Sayar Island Series when Bella lay down on our bed and began crying. Of course, I'd been concerned and asked her what was wrong. After composing herself, Bella said that Caius had told her about Nathan, about how much he would have loved Bella's book. I held my wife while she cried into my shirt for a boy she'd never met. When I woke up the next morning, Bella was in front of her computer drafting the first chapter of Healing through Love.

"He would be proud of you," Bella whispered, stepping closer to Caius. "For trying to help other children like this, Nathan would have been proud of you."

"You think so?" Caius asked, trying to keep his tears from falling.

Bella nodded. "He would have wanted you to keep fighting for him, to tell his story in hopes that it helps someone."

"Isabella, I am so sorry for betraying you. If I'd known . . ." Caius shook his head. "I — I thought she loved me. I've been alone for so long; I guess I just wanted someone to hold again."

"Oh, Caius," Bella whispered. It wasn't a secret that Caius' wife, Nathan's mother, had left after Nathan got sick. She couldn't bear the strain of taking care of a sick child, so she left. "We can't make people love us; we can't make them want to stay." And I knew Bella was talking about Renee, as much as Sasha Romans. Bella reached up and wiped the tears off of Caius' face. "I forgive you, if that's what you need to hear."

"You do?" he asked, hope filling his eyes.

Bella nodded. "Let's just chalk this up to a moment of stupidity and move on."

"Thank you, Isabella." Caius leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Just thank you."

"You're welcome," she murmured, blushing. I bit back a moan; the color flooding her cheeks added to her beauty. "Now, go enjoy your party."

"I will," Caius laughed, looking from her to me and back. "And congratulations on your pregnancy."

"Thanks," I said, quietly.

Placing Bella's book back on the table, Caius left us. Bella and I made our way to our table, and sat down. A few minutes later, one of the waiters who'd been milling around with trays of champagne brought us both two glasses of sparkling cider, compliments of Caius. Taking a sip of mine, I looked around the room. The tables had been covered in dark blue and ivory tablecloths. Hundreds of twinkling lights and flickering candlelight filled the room, giving off a serene and calm feeling. With the addition of soft, classical music, it was easy to get lost and forget that the ugliness of childhood cancer.

"There you are." Bella and I looked over our shoulders finding Charlie and Sue standing there. "Took us forever to find our table."

"Did you look at the seating chart just outside of the doors?" Bella asked, lifting an eyebrow in her father's direction. Charlie opened his mouth, but then snapped it shut as he shook his head. "Didn't think so."

"How was I supposed to know!" he exclaimed, ushering Sue into her seat before taking his.

"Um, how about the large sign on top that said seating chart," Bella snickered.

Charlie groaned. "Don't make fun of me; I'm special."

"That you are, Dad," Bella giggled.

"Hello, everyone," Esme chimed as she and Carlisle joined us. "Bella, we stopped by and looked at your book. Sweetheart, it's amazing. Just the summary brought me to tears."

"Oh, Esme," Bella whimpered. "Thank you."

"We're all so proud of you, sweetheart," Esme murmured, reaching across me and grabbing my wife's hand.

"Thank you," Bella murmured. "Just glad I could help."

"Damn it, I hope they serve the food soon," Charlie grumbled, breaking through the tender moment Bella and Esme were having. "I'm starving!"

We all laughed. Bella shook her head. "Oh, Dad. Have some patience, dinner will be served soon I'm sure."

"I hope so," Charlie groused.

Bella laughed and looked over at me. It wasn't until she brought her hand up to my face and leaned in to press her lips against mine that I realized I'd been staring at her with smile on my face. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you, too," I echoed back.

—MF—

A few minutes later, Charlie's wish came true and the food was brought out, placed in front of us. Grilled lemon chicken, steamed broccoli, and a baked potato caused Charlie to moan and fall back in his seat. The look of contentment on his face caused another round of laughter to erupt around us, but Charlie didn't seem to mind. He was too focused on his food.

Bella managed to eat about half of her food before pushing her plate away. Sliding my arm around her shoulder, I leaned over and whispered, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she lied, and we both knew it. I simply stared at her, waiting for her to tell me the truth. Sighing, she said, "I'm just a little nauseous, but I'm fine."

"I knew we shouldn't have come," I groused, dropping my attention to the uneaten food on her plate.

Bella turned in her seat, bringing her hands up to my face. "Edward, look at me." I shifted my eyes up to hers. "I am fine. You have to stop worrying about me or you're going to be the one that's sick. Please, just relax."

"I can't," I whispered, knowing that Charlie, Sue, Carlisle, and Esme could hear every word I said, but right now, I didn't care. "If something happens to you or the babies . . ." I swallowed against the lump in my throat. "I wouldn't be able to survive again, Bella. I couldn't."

"Nothing is going to happen to me, or our daughters," Bella murmured, placing a gentle kiss on my lips. "I'm sure my stomach is upset because of nerves."

Closing my eyes, I released a shallow breath. "Bella."

"Edward," she cooed, and I opened my eyes. "Please. I promise that I'm okay."

"Bella," I groaned.

"Dance with me," Bella said, standing up. I started to shake my head, but she placed her hands on the sides of my face. "Dance with me, Edward."

Nodding, I stood up and followed her over to the small dance floor. Sliding one arm around her waist, I folded my fingers around her hand. Slowly, we started moving to the music, floating away in a private bubble. Bella brought her fingers up to the back of my head, nestling her fingers in my hair.

"I know you're scared that I'm going to leave you like Sarah did," Bella whispered, and I couldn't deny that she was right. "Every time you leave the house alone, I fight the same fear, Edward. I know how much it hurts to be left alone, but I promise that I am not leaving you."

"You can't make me that promise," I grumbled. "Bella, I love you so much. Just the thought of not having you in my arms every night . . ."

"Baby, in case you haven't noticed in the last five years, I'm a bit of stubborn bitch," Bella said with a smirk. I laughed. "I'm not going to leave you and I can make that promise."

"I'm holding you to it," I murmured, leaning my forehead against hers. "If you do, I'll be so fucking pissed."

"Yeah, yeah," Bella mused. "Now shut up and kiss me."

Not able to resist her, I closed the distance between our lips and kissed her like it was the last time I'd ever feel her lips pressed against mine.