Chapter Seventy-One: Edward

April 15, 2026

Seattle, Washington

It's one of those rare days where Bella and I have a free morning to both bring Birdy to school, so we're walking in as a family. It's nice to spend this time with our daughter, to get to see her engage with her school, and be as excited as we've seen her. Despite what I've tried to assure Bella, Birdy is growing fast, almost too fast. Sometimes when I look at her, I can see the next fifteen years flash by, and I start to panic. I want to savor every second with my daughter that I can.

"Daddy, can I go work wif you?"

I open my mouth, utterly tempted to give her absolutely anything she wants even though we are literally walking her into school right now.

"You've got school today, Spawn," Bella says. Birdy and I look at her.

"Peas mama?"

Bella doesn't even flinch. Thank fucking god my wife is immune to most of our daughter's charm.

"Nope. Last time you didn't have fun, remember?"

I wince. I brought Birdy for a second time last month and it went disastrously. She'd been impatient, needy, and in a screeching mood. Thankfully, Bella had been able to pick up Birdy halfway through my first class. We both agreed that until she was older, it was probably best Birdy didn't come to work with me unless she absolutely had to.

"But... but... but..."

I can hear her argument starting to build, so I gently wiggle her hand, getting her attention.

"I'll pick you up after school," I offer. "And you can come to work with me then." I don't have a class this afternoon, just office hours. It should be fine.

"But..." she starts again.

"I'll let grandpa know daddy is picking you up," Bella says, pulling her phone out. Charlie has been amazing, picking up Birdy the days our schedules doesn't allow it. Bella and I are still trying to figure out the details of both working and sending Birdy to school, but with the support of our family, we're making it happen.

Between us, I hear Birdy take a deep breath, and I know she's about to scream. Whether in joy or anger, I have no way of knowing, so I take the easy way out and reach down, scooping her up into my arms. Bella lets go of her as I toss Birdy in the air above me, catching her with raspberries to her cheeks. She squeals, and I know I've managed to distract her.

I feel Bella's hand tap my shoulder, and I glance at her. She nods in approval.

"Oh, there is Maria. I'll be right back," Bella says, stepping away from us. I frown, watching Bella head over to a woman I've seen around but don't know personally. I look back at Birdy who is pushing against my arms, wanting to walk into school on her own. I let her go, setting her back on the ground, and she turns to take off for the classroom.

I have to slow her down enough that I can get her to the front door and sign her in. I give her a kiss before she bolts inside, not even saying goodbye to Bella. I turn around, looking for my wife. She's still talking to a group of women I don't know.

As I get closer, I frown hearing the conversation.

"Well of course she doesn't want you to be secretary," Bella says, looking seriously at the woman closest to her. "You know she's been jealous of you since last month when your husband made that donation."

The women all nod, looking surprisingly like chickens.

"You're right," someone says. "She's a jealous harpy. We need a redistribution of power."

I stare at my wife, baffled. Since when has she ever cared about petty politics of the PTA?

"You're so right," Bella agrees with her. "You should make a play for that board position."

"Bella?"

She looks up at me, and that fucking mischievous look is in her eyes. "Sorry, ladies. I've gotta run."

I try to ignore the breathy sighs the ladies let out looking at me. It happens more than I like, and I do my best to completely ignore it.

Bella moves to my side, slipping her arm around my waist.

"What was that?" I ask her.

Bella snorts. "I have to keep busy somehow."

"So you, what? Fuck around with the moms at Birdy's school?"

"I call it stirring the pot," she snickers. "They all care so much about what everyone else is doing. It's constant entertainment."

I shake my head.

"I think that's our queue to get you knocked up, ASAP."

Bella snorts. "Like I can't do as much, if not more damage knocked up." She squeezes my hand and I look at her. "Don't you remember how crazy I am pregnant?"

I stop walking, wrapping my arms around her. She melts against me, her chin resting against my chest as she gazes up at me.

"Of course I do," I say, nodding once. "You were completely batshit."

She laughs, leaning up to kiss me hard. I smile against her lips, bringing my hands up to cup her jaw.

"I honestly can't wait for it again," I murmur against her lips.

Bella pulls back slightly, and I look at her.

"Well," Bella breathes, her eyes fluttering open. "About that." Her hands snake up my back. "Remember that quickie in your office a few weeks back?"

I frown. "Baby, there is no scientific proof conceiving on university grounds will make our kid smarter," I say, throwing her 'argument' back at her. It honestly hadn't taken much to convince me to have sex in my office, but Bella likes to fuck with me. "And as much as I want to play teacher with you. We have to do it at home from now on."

Bella grins and starts wiggling in my arms.

"Oh, I fully plan on it. But that's not what I'm saying."

I stare at her, waiting for her to continue. When she stays silent, I frown.

"What are you saying? Are you..." My gaze meets hers before it drops down to her stomach. I can't even see it because we're wrapped up together. I look back up, meeting her bright gaze. "Are you pregnant?"

She grins. "I was going to tell you in some cute as shit way, but honestly, I hated every idea Google had."

"Wait, are you serious?"

Bella smiles and reaches up, winding her arms around my neck. "I'm serious," she whispers, pressing a kiss to my lips. "Are you ready to go again?"

My hands travel around her waist to land on her hips, and I press my forehead to hers. "More than," I chuckle. I shift, kissing her hard, and I can feel her smile against my lips. "But this one," I say, breaking our kiss. "This one is mine."

Birdy is an exact copy of her mother, and though I love her more than life, I'm ready to have another one, hopefully, one with a little more of my patience.

Bella giggles against my lips.

"In your dreams, Cullen."

I laugh. She's right. All our children could be exactly like Bella, and I'd be the happiest fucking man in the world.

Sometimes it feels like life takes and takes, even when you have nothing back to give. And sometimes, if you are really lucky, it gives you more than you could possibly dream of.

Six and a half years ago I took a chance and moved across the world during a pandemic, all because I'd been intrigued by an ass on a screen. A leap of faith if ever I'd heard of one.

Since then, I've done what often feels impossible; I've met my best friend, my true soul mate. I've been given a rare opportunity, and for the rest of my life, I will make sure that I'm worthy of the laughter, the pranks, the mischief, and the unconditional love surrounding me.

The End


Well, okay here it is. The End of an era. I want to thank everyone who has been with me on this journey since the beginning of Lockdown, and to everyone who has joined since. This story was such a needed stress relief for me while I was writing, and an important way for me to start processing what I'd gone through personally during the lockdown. It's been tremendous to share this with you all and to hear in return all of your stories. We've done this lockdown together, and it's so important that we each process our experience in our own ways.

Thank you for the patience, the encouragement, the kind words, and the unwavering dedication you all showed me.

While the journey may be over for these ducking crazy kids, be sure to stay subscribed as you never know when they might whisper a small future shot in the corners of my mind.

For those of you loves who will be at the Twific meetup this year in Cleveland, come find me! I'll be there (my first one!) and I'd absolutely love to meet!

Until next time, my darlings.

xx