Chapter 11

The usual disclaimer applies as it always does.

Bella's POV;

I was in love. Completely and utterly in love. It had been 6 weeks since the day that Evie bumped into my legs and she and her father became a part of my family and my life. All it took was 6 weeks and Evie had my heart as much as Oliver did.

Since the night that Oliver and I stayed at the cottage, all four of us had spent so much time together. For the rest of the two weeks that Edward was off work we went to museums, aquariums, parks. Olivers stuffed toy collection increased dramatically as did the number of clothes he possessed. I introduced Alice to Edward and they got along like a house on fire. At first I was jealous until I realised that it was completely harmless, friendly banter. Then I scolded myself for being jealous; Edward wasn't with me – he could flirt or not flirt with whoever he wanted.

When Edward went back to work and Evie started nursery I didn't know what to do with myself. In his time off Edward and Evie had wriggled into the lives of me and Oliver and then it was like suddenly the amount of time we could spend together was halved. He worked 8 till 6 on Mondays and Thursdays and 8 till 1 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In his first week back at the office Oliver and I barely saw him or Evie and it was taking its toll. I eventually broke down, texted him and told him how much I was missing him and Evie. The relief I felt when he replied saying that he missed us too was consuming. After that he and Evie started coming by in the mornings before work and I loved my mornings with Evie, Edward and Oliver, cooking and eating breakfast together. Then Edward set off for work while Oliver and I walked Evie to nursery.

We also spent our weekends together, lounging about at Edward's cottage watching films or going out on adventures. We took the babies swimming at least once a fortnight and I allowed myself to ogle Edward in his black swimming trunks every time. Oliver loved the water and Edward was more than happy to hold him while he splashed and giggled. Evie was a real water baby and loved when I swam with her on my back, though she hated the arm bands that we had to coerce her into wearing.

I had to remind myself constantly that we weren't a family, that Edward wasn't my husband and Evie wasn't my daughter, yet every time I saw Edward with Oliver, playing with him or feeding him my heart clenched painfully and I forgot for a second. Or maybe I just pretended. Edward was everything I wanted for Oliver. He was a good man with a big heart, big enough to let Oliver in. He was almost too good to be true, so much so that I found myself waiting for the other shoe to drop.

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I pulled myself from my thoughts and stretched languidly before rolling out of bed and padding quietly to Evie's room. Oliver and I had spent the night so that we could be here in the morning and celebrate Evie's birthday together… as a family I guess. I allowed myself to smile at the thought as I entered her lilac nursery, before stopping short when both the crib and the bassinet were empty.

I searched the room and stifled a giggle at the sight of Edward sleeping in the glider with Oliver and Evie napping on top of him. Oliver was lying along the right side of Edwards bare chest with one of his muscular arms wrapped securely around my baby's small body while Evie had her head resting against his left pectoral muscle with his other arm supporting her back. All three of them were snoring softly in complete synchrony and I allowed myself a moment of longing for this to be a reality. I sighed before padding over and stroking Edward's cheek gently and pushing his unruly hair from his forehead, permitting my fingers to tangle in the soft tresses.

His eyes opened slowly and he looked up at me sleepily before smiling lazily at me and leaning into my touch. I reluctantly pulled my fingers from his hair and sat on the padded stool in front of my three favourite people. Both Oliver and Evie started stirring as Edward sat up a little and we waited silently for their eyes to open. I took Oliver from Edward gently and cradled him in my arms as his little brown eyes opened and bore into mine. I heard Evie yawn and looked up to see her stretching in Edward's arms.

"Good morning Birthday Girl." Edward whispered to her, tickling her and causing her to squeal and giggle.

"I think it's time for a special birthday breakfast for my special Birthday Girl!" Both Edward and Evie whooped at my words as we made our way downstairs, falling easily into our well established breakfast routine. Evie sat in her seat at the table while Edward strapped Oliver into his highchair and I started getting eggs and bacon from the fridge. As I whisked the eggs Edward got Evie a cup of apple juice and warmed a bottle of breast milk to mix into some baby rice for Oliver. As soon as he turned four months I started weaning him onto solid foods and he absolutely loved it.

While I scrambled eggs and fried bacon Edward spoon-fed Oliver and entertained an extremely excited Evie. She animatedly discussed her party and how excited she was to see her Nana and Pops and her Uncles and Auntie. As excited as Evie was I was equally nervous. I was going to meet Edward's family today. I mean we're only friends so it's not a big deal but my stomach was in knots at the prospect. We ate breakfast quickly, Evie especially wanting to finish early so that she could start getting ready for her party. When we were done eating I left Edward cleaning up the kitchen and took Oliver and Evie upstairs for their bath that Evie insisted that they took together.

I helped Evie brush her teeth while the bath filled partially with warm water. I added bubble bath before letting Evie and Oliver get in. I put Oliver into his bath seat with a few bath toys to keep him occupied so that I could wash Evie's hair and body. I conditioned and combed her long blonde curls, taking extra care not to tug unnecessarily at the tangles. When she was squeaky clean I let her play for a bit while I washed Oliver. Edward came in about 10 minutes later and wrapped Oliver in his cream hooded towel as I did the same with Evie, drying her off before French-braiding her hair.

Edward got Oliver dressed, putting him in a cute "I love my mummy" t-shirt, blue jeans and socks while I dressed Evie in a white dress with pink and purple flowers patterned all over it. I waited patiently as Evie chose her socks and shoes while Edward and Oliver sat on the floor playing with a toy xylophone. She eventually decided on frilly white socks and her purple converse and I dutifully helped her tie her shoelaces before helping her down the stairs.

While she and Oliver played with their stuffed toys, Edward and I set up the living room for the party, hanging pink birthday banners and blowing up multi-coloured balloons. I left Edward downstairs with the kids while I quickly showered and changed into a pair of jeans and a blue t-shirt before putting my hair up into a high ponytail and noting that I needed a haircut. Maybe I'd take Evie with me, she could use a trim too.

I checked the time and felt my stomach tie itself up in knots. Only an hour until Edward's family arrived. I swallowed hard and made my way downstairs so that Edward could shower and busied myself with making up the pizzas from the dough and sauce I'd made last night. I brought Evie and Oliver into the kitchen, Oliver sitting in his highchair and Evie on the counter as they 'helped' me with the pizza toppings.

I'd just put the pizza's in the oven when the doorbell rang, causing Evie to squeal with excitement and drag me to the door. I quickly glanced up the stairs, desperately hoping that Edward would come bounding down and I wouldn't have to open it.

"Bella would you get that? I've only just got out of the shower." I willed away the images of Edward with a towel wrapped around his waist and droplets of water running down his chest.

"Sure." I called back before taking a deep breath and opening the door.

A tall attractive blonde haired man stood on the doorstep, his slightly lined face kind and gentle. A pretty auburn haired woman stood beside him smiling at me clutching a large beautifully wrapped present. I noted that her hair was the same shade as Edwards and guessed that these were his parents. I oddly felt completely at ease and smiled at them, opening the door wider so that Evie could launch herself at them.

"Happy Birthday Evie!" They chorused as they entered the house, the man carrying her.

"You must be Bella. I'm Esme, Edwards's mother." The lady turned to me and smiled, holding her hand out for me to shake. I nodded and blushed before taking her hand and shaking it gently. Oliver gurgled from the kitchen and I went to him, scooping him out of the high chair and kissing his cheeks while I walked back into the living room.

"Oh my, he's gorgeous!" Esme gushed at me, putting Evie's present down before walking over and stroking Oliver's cheek. "You must be Oliver little man. Edward's told me a lot about you." She continued to coo at him and he smiled back at her, reaching his little hand up and wrapping it around a lock of Esme's hair.

"May I?" She asked me, reaching for him. I nodded and allowed her to take Oliver from my arms.

"Hello, I'm Carlisle." I looked up to see the blonde haired man smiling at me with his hand outstretched.

"Hi, I'm Bella." I smiled back and grasped his hand before looking down at Evie who was tugging at my leg. I bent at the waist and picked her up, resting her on my hip. "What's up baby girl?"

"May I have some juice please?" I nodded and carried her through to the kitchen.

"Apple or Orange?" She pointed to the apple so I filled her princess cup with apple juice and offered it to her. She took it with one hand and wrapped the other arm around my neck loosely.

"Thank-you." She drank her juice quickly and handed the cup back to me so I could put it into the sink before we walked back into the living room. Edward had come down while Evie and I were in the kitchen and he had Oliver in his arms, blowing raspberries on his cheeks while he squealed and clapped his hands. I watched as Oliver pressed his fingers to Edwards lips and smiled as Edward kissed them. God he made my heart pound and my chest ache.

He looked up at me as I moved into the room from my perch in the doorway and I almost melted when he smiled crookedly at me. I loved it when he smiled at me like that. The bell rang again and Edward walked towards the door with Oliver while I tried to get my breathing back under control. Evie squirmed to get down and I set her gently onto her feet so she could greet her guests. I turned to Edwards parents feeling shame wash over me as I realised I hadn't offered them anything. If Renee hadn't already disowned me she would have done after my appalling manners towards guests.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" They both smiled and shook their heads. I breathed an inaudible sigh of relief and smiled back before turning to the door to see who had arrived. A big burly man carrying a present bag with arms that were roped thickly with muscle came through the door, followed by a gorgeous blonde haired woman. The present was put beside the others before they enveloped Esme and Carlisle in hugs and turned to me. I was scrutinised by both for a second before the man walked towards me. I fought the urge to step back and was thoroughly surprised when I was caught up in a big bear hug by him, followed by a hug from the blonde woman.

"I'm Emmett, Edward's big brother. This is my wife Rosie." He grinned widely at me and I couldn't help but grin back. Rosie smiled too and rolled her eyes good naturedly at her husband.

"It's Rosalie actually but you can call me Rose." She winked at me and I smiled back at her. "Is that your son with Edward?" I nodded. "He's beautiful." Her tone was slightly wistful and her eyes filled with longing.

"Would you like to hold him?" I asked her, my smile widening when she nodded enthusiastically. Edward passed Oliver over to her and she cuddled him gently, murmuring to him quietly. He gurgled back at her as if he was replying and put his hands on her cheeks, causing everyone to laugh.

The bell rang again and Edward answered it, letting in Alice who stooped to say hello to Evie and placed her gift with the others before introducing herself to everyone and giving Oliver a cuddle. A tall, leanly muscled blonde man followed her, hugging Edward and the rest of the family. He stopped in front of me and smiled, introducing himself as Jasper before turning to Alice and doing the same. He lingered a little with her before sitting next to Rose and tickling Oliver, casting appreciative glances at Alice every so often.

Evie decided it was time for cake and wrapped her little hand around mine so that she could pull me towards one of the sofas and climb onto my lap after I sat down. Edward disappeared into the kitchen and came back holding a Monsters Inc. cake with a flaming candle in the shape of a 3 in the middle of it. We all sang happy birthday and clapped after Evie blew out her candle, whooping and cheering for her.

She started opening her presents, Edward taking photographs as she opened each of them and all of us laughing at her excited reactions. When she opened the clothes that Alice had bought for her and the teddies that Emmett and Rose had bought she squealed in delight. Jasper bought her a princess vanity table and Carlisle and Esme bought her a Barbie teatime set and she thanked them profusely. I bought her a teddy that doubled as a nightlight, a pair of Disney converse and a few children's books, which earned me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Edward bought her a baby doll with all of the little accessories and we watched her play with it for a good 20 minutes after she thanked Edward continuously for 5. She fed it and changed its nappy before putting it into the crib with its blanket and declaring that it was nap time for Lizzie.

We ate the homemade pizza – well we ate while Emmett demolished – and each had a slice of cake before settling in to watch a film of Evie's choosing. Edward, Evie and I sat on one sofa with Oliver in my lap. As Monsters Inc. started playing Oliver started fussing in my arms. Edward reached over and gently lifted him from my arms before making his way to the kitchen to warm a bottle while Evie climbed into my lap and snuggled into my arms.

I tightened my hold on Evie and sighed in contentment as Edward sat on my right. Oliver was resting against Edwards right arm while guzzling breast milk from the bottle in his left hand. As Oliver finished his bottle and Edward burped him I allowed myself to lean against Edwards warm side. He stiffened for a second before relaxing again, lowering Oliver to his lap and securing him with his right arm before wrapping his left arm around my shoulders and pulling me closer. I rested my head against his shoulder and inhaled his scent that was a mix of shower gel, aftershave and Edward. It was a heady combination that had me closing my eyes. And when I closed my eyes I felt safe enough to admit the one thing to myself that I had been denying and ignoring for weeks.

I was falling in love with Edward too.

For those of you who read my other ff How Will I Know I will be updating that one soon as well, as soon as I sort out a pre-reader. Thanks guys, read review and enjoy as always.