-91-

There's something growing in my chest. Something big and warm and downright fucking fuzzy.

The sun is starting to set on the scene before me: full bellies gathered around a bonfire, kids wrapped up in towels and munching on s'mores, and almost every single person I care about in one place.

I'm happy. That fucking H word that Rose gave me so much hell for. I'm there now.

And yeah, part of it is Bella. A huge fucking part of it. It's because she makes me want to be better, and because of that, I'm seeing all the rest. She turns my pessimistic brain on its axis and makes sure I see all the good in my life.

Turns out I have a lot.

Alice and Jasper arrived shortly after Rose and Emmett did, and for the first time in so long, the backyard is filled with chatter and laughter. And, of course, Mom is positively glowing.

It's one of those perfect nights where I can't imagine anything ever going wrong again.

"Rosalie, I have to say, you and Emmett make the cutest kids," Bella swoons. She's been talking to my sister quite a bit, and I think it's cute that she has a little girl crush. As long as she remembers which sibling will be between her legs tonight.

"Oh god, I know. We got so lucky," Rose sighs, looking over at her kids with that sort of enthralled look parents get when looking at their spawn.

"Are you going to have any more?" Bella asks.

"Fuck no," Rose laughs.

"Rosalie Lilith, you know better!" Mom yells all the way from across the yard, where she's chatting with Alice and Jasper.

They admitted they were worried about how family perceived them, with their piercings and tattoos and rough exterior, but Bella and I both assured them as soon as they got here that no one in my family could possibly give a single shit, and considering Alice is now talking interior design with my mother I think they finally get that.

"No, I think I'll pass the grandbaby making to someone else, now," Rose raises an eyebrow in Bella's direction and I promptly choke on the perfectly burnt marshmallow I had just put in my mouth.

I don't mean I sputter on it a little bit; I actually fully choke—my throat blocked and burning, gasping for air I can't get. I faintly hear calamity break out around me, but I'm too focused on my lack of oxygen to process it.

Someone is pounding on my back with more force than I would expect, but it's not accomplishing anything. And next thing I know, I'm hoisted into the air by two beefy arms around my ribcage that squeeze so hard I worry they might break. But it does the trick, and the goopy chunks of marshmallow come flying out of my mouth, landing on the side of the fire pit with a sick, wet thud.

The kids all collectively scream "ew" and "gross," but my eyes instantly find Bella the second I can take in a lungful of air. Call it survival instinct.

"Christ, Edward, is the thought of having kids with me that mortifying to you?"


Death by marshmallow xD