Apparently, Laura B wasn't hugged enough as a kid... I loved that review!

Anyhoo, shall we see where this chapter leads us?

Isabella Cullen

"How dare you just run in here, you little brat, look what you have done to my dress!" The screeching voice of the girl who had been rude at the breakfast table took over all of my thoughts as she raised her hand to Charlotte.

I had not even heard the orchid pot fall and smash, nor did I care in the slightest about it either.

I had no idea what carried me forward – rage, protection, anger – but within seconds I was standing in front of the dark-haired girl with my hand grasped tightly around her raised wrist whilst my free hand was comforting Charlotte at my side.

"Get your hands off of me and keep that child under control," she sneered and tried to pull free of my grasp, but I would not let her move; I just glared at her.

Never, in all my short life had a I felt so much anger in me.

"Isabella, what seems to be the problem?" I heard Esme's voice come closer, but I did not move my eyes. I knew that others were in the room, too, but I did not care.

"Isabella here, seems to have lost control of the children; you might do well to send her on her way without pay and references," the girl hissed, glaring daggers at me.

If this had happened not five months ago, or if it had happened in the street of our small village, I would have been ashamed to act in such a way around the upper class. But this was not then. It was now and I was a married lady with children.

"Oh, I do not think that would be possible, do you, Isabella Cullen? Do you think that your dear Edward would have you sent away?" Esme's voice asked and even through my anger I could hear the jovial tone of her voice.

"Cullen?" The girl spluttered out.

"Isabella Cullen, wife to Edward Cullen, and mother to his children and my brother Charles," I gritted out, finally releasing my hand from her body. I was shocked at how I was shaking.

I was still bitterly angry at the young woman in front of me.

"Indeed, I think I may have forgotten to mention in my correspondences to you all that my son wed just before Christmas." Esme giggled, and when I looked around there must have been at least ten ladies standing in various doorways looking in on the scene before them.

"It would do you well not to look at my children while you are here at the invitation of my parents," I said lowly, and then gathered up the children before leaving the room.

"Good shot, Charlotte, good shot," I heard Charles whisper, and if I hadn't been so angry, I would have laughed at his sportsmanship.

…

"Lauren's mother has sent her away to stay with her aunt until the hunting party is over. She was so mortified at her daughter's behavior not only in our home, but toward you, that she was debating on whether to leave herself, but Mother talked her around to staying," Edward whispered as I read while lying down on the bed that evening.

I had been out of sorts for the rest of the day and had stayed with the children in the nursery to eat before making my way to our bedroom once the clouds drew in and it darkened outside.

As much as I was pushing to keep everything normal for the children, I had discovered how much of a 'people person' I was not.

I was used to working alone, or only being around a select few at a time, not ten or so ladies, their older children, and their husbands.

"How in the world does your mother cope with this every year? They have not been here a full day yet and I am already at my wits end," I moaned a little into his shoulder.

"Mother has a way of keeping people in their places without them even realizing it, Isabella." He sniggered and took the book from my fingers. "You will learn to do the same one day," he said, and then gently laid a kiss on my neck.

"I am expected downstairs to play cards with your mother," I said in a halfhearted way, not wanting to be parted from this intimate moment or to keep Esme waiting.

"Mmm, I excused you for the night, and told Mother that you were not feeling well," he replied and when he looked up to me, he was smiling widely.

"I am not feeling well? I must rest, and go to sleep then," I said with a serious tone and a straight face. It was enough for him to freeze next to me for a moment before my laughter broke through my lips.

"You are a dangerous creature, Isabella Cullen," he moaned, but I soon put a stop to that when I kissed him on the lips, quite hard in fact.

"Love me," I whispered, wanting his body as close to mine as possible.

"How could I resist?" He grinned in reply before covering his body with mine.

…

"Oh, heavens!" I exclaimed, holding onto Edward's body with all my strength.

He had awoken me this morning before it was even light outside, and it was the best possible way to wake.

"Shh, the children will be here soon." He chuckled, kissing the side of my neck before rolling over to his side of the bed.

"I wish you would not talk of the children after we have just been intimate and are still undressed, it makes me feel strange." I giggled at his tense body.

"Yes, I agree with you. Hmm, how about you come riding with me today? Let the children be with Mother, and you and I can go for a nice long ride?" he asked as he stood and reached for his trousers.

"I could, but I like to ride bare back, how will that go down with the gentlemen of the city?" I laughed.

Yes, I could imagine how some of the men would react to the vision of a future Lady riding a horse with no saddle or tack.

"Who cares? You're my wife and can ride a horse however you please." He grinned and just like that, the day was planned.

…

Edward Cullen

I felt as though no matter how much we were intimate; it was not enough to curb my feelings for her.

I woke this morning with an urge to hold her, but once her body was close to mine, it was not enough, and although I felt bad about waking her, I could not help myself.

I grinned to myself as I sat on the edge of the bed and watched my wife's beautiful, naked body walk into the bathroom.

She had changed so much since I first met her, and I loved every part of it. Isabella was no longer the shy girl she'd once been around me and had truly come out of her shell since we had returned from town.

A small knock on our bedroom door alerted me to the children, so I quickly pulled on my shirt before I went to open it.

I was shocked to see just Charlotte standing there, looking nervous.

"Where are the other two?" I asked, holding the door open so that she could come in.

"Eating. I am sorry about that lady's dress, I did not mean to damage it or upset Mamma," she whispered tearfully.

"Oh, Charlotte, it was an accident, was it not?" I asked, walking her over to the bed.

She gave me a small nod in reply and that settled it for me.

"Then say no more about it and have some fun. Accidents happen all of the time," I smiled and kissed the top of her head.

I was just about to send her along to eat with the others when a crash from the bathroom startled us.

The next hour passed in a blur of hurried conversations and panic as I found Isabella on the floor of the bathroom.

Charlotte going to find Mother.

My father lifting Isabella's body from the tiled floor and placing her on our bed.

A doctor being called.

Father leading me away from my wife.

My sobs.

The children crying.

The silence of the house deafening me.

Alice and Jasper by my side.

Everything seemed to pass so slowly, including the time.

"She will be fine, Edward. The doctor and your mother know what they are doing," Father said, but I shook my head.

"I so wish to be carrying your child, Edward, to have a child together, made from love and devotion . . ."

What if she was to leave me? What if we were to never have a child between us? God could not be that cruel, could he? To take away my wife before we had even had a chance to live?

"Jasper, your mother is asking for you to send for Mrs. Cope," I heard Alice's gentle voice, but from where I couldn't be sure.

An age went by.

I paced and waited.

"Edward, for heaven's sake, snap out of it," Mother said.

When had she come to my side?

"Mother, how is she? Does the doctor know what is wrong?" I asked, fighting to keep my voice level.

"Go in and see for yourself," she grinned.

She was smiling. That had to be good.

I nodded my head carefully and Mother guided everyone away from me, and I walked slowly over to our now opened door.

The doctor was sat by the side of our bed, but I did not care for him at the moment, I cared for my wife, so that is where my eyes went.

She was there, awake.

Tired looking, but awake and alive.

"You scared me," I whispered, making my way over to her and taking her hand. She had a bump to the head, but I saw no other signs of illness.

"Well, I assume that you are in capable hands with Edward here, so I shall be off, but remember what I told you, Isabella." The doctor tried to frown at her but could not manage it.

Once he had left the room, I leant forward to kiss her lips ever so softly.

"Please do not do that again, I do not think my heart could take it," I whispered again.

"I will behave as long as our child will let me, Edward," she giggled.

Our child.

Our Child!

Edward was worried for very good reasons. Please remember, he has already lost Sarah. With Isabella being ill... Well.

We only have a few more chapters left! And then, I think, it'll be time for me to dust off something funny ;)