We'll Be A Family
C3: Homecoming
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters.
A/N: I know a chapter before Monday, but since I'm already more than halfway through Chapter 11, I thought everyone might like a gift. Next one will be on Monday, and depending on how everything goes, there will be an extra one on Saturday.
Bella's POV
The following day Rosalie and I were waiting for Esme and Sulpicia to arrive, since they needed to sign some paperwork for my aftercare. I was mostly just glad to be going home, because I had always hated hospitals, which was ironic for how many times I had found myself in an emergency room or hospital bed.
"Are you okay Bella? You seem nervous?" Rosalie asked with a soft smile.
I smiled and nodded. "I'm not nervous Rose. I'm excited more than anything. I can't wait to go home and see everyone."
"Honestly I am very happy that we can build our relationship in the comfort of our home. Esme has made sure that you can continue your classes at home. Alice will get your homework every day until you feel you are ready to go back to school, and after that I will make sure that I will be in all your classes." She said with a loving smile.
I smiled at that. "Honestly I'd rather stay home until graduation and see what happens then. For the coming months we have plenty of other things to worry about." I said as I unconsciously rubbed my belly.
Rosalie smiled and pulled me into her lap, one of her hands covering the one I was rubbing my belly with. "I will be beside you no matter what you choose, love. It's more than okay if you want to be a stay at home mom."
"Well, I do want to do my part for the family, but I have some ideas that might work and will allow me to stay at home and care for our baby girl." I said softly.
"Oh, do tell." Rosalie said with a soft smile.
I smiled at her. "I have always wanted to be a writer and the college classes I want to take can easily be done online." That way I can have the best of both worlds and we can build our relationship at the same time."
Rosalie smiled at that, although I could see she wanted to do more. "It's okay Rose. You can kiss me if you want. I would love that actually."
She smiled and placed a soft kiss to my neck. "Thank you Bella. I don't want to push you into things that you aren't ready for, but at the same time my inner vampire cries out for intimacy with our mate."
"I think we can find a middle ground easily enough, because you're right, I am nowhere near ready for intimacy, but I would love to be able to show you exactly how I feel about you. Kissing you has been on my mind for many months." I said honestly.
Rosalie smiled and buried her nose in my neck, inhaling deeply. "You are a strange human sometimes, my love. Most girls who have been through the same you have don't want anything to do with anyone for a long time, but here you are trying to find a middle ground for me."
"That's because I love you, and I know it is probably too soon to say this, but it's the truth. I love you and I have for a very long time, and I can't wait to see what we can be, now and in the future." I said softly before pressing my lips to hers.
Rosalie moaned ever so softly into my mouth as she pulled me closer, which made me tense up for just a moment, before my brain realized that it was Rosalie.
I'm sure she noticed, but she didn't comment on it, which I appreciated. I turned around so I could face her, drinking in the beauty that was my girlfriend, because I felt that we were at least that.
I felt her tense for a moment before relaxing again. "Esme is here to take us home baby."
I blushed and pecked her lips softly before getting off her and facing her. "Good afternoon sweetie. Ready to go home?" Esme asked with her usual motherly smile.
"More than ready Mom. I've had my fill of hospitals to last me a lifetime." I said as I went to give her a hug.
Esme smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "We're all set to leave sweetie. I've signed all the paperwork necessary, so we can go anytime you're ready."
I smiled at her as I grabbed my bag, which was quickly plucked from my grip by Rosalie. "I don't want to challenge your delicate equilibrium more than strictly necessary, my love, plus I like being a gentlewoman for you."
I couldn't help the blush that colored my cheeks and probably a part of my neck as well. "Is that a nice way of saying that I am clumsy? Because if it is I would prefer it be called that from now on."
Rosalie smiled and Esme giggled a little at that. "If that is what you want, my sweet. Now let's go home, the family is anxious to see you again, including your new siblings." Esme said still chuckling.
"I can't wait to meet them Mom." I said with a smile.
Esme and Rosalie both smiled as they led me out of the room to make our way to the car, and I couldn't help but smile once the hospital was in our rearview mirror.
Rosalie's POV
When we got back to the house I gently shook Bella. "We're home love."
She grumbled a little as she opened her eyes. "Already, I was hoping to cuddle against my girlfriend for a little while longer."
I smiled and kissed her cheek. "As soon as we're done with the introductions, we can cuddle for as long as you want, even though I usually am very much against such display's of affection. Only for you will I make that exception."
She smiled and returned the kiss before getting out of the car while I got her bag. "We also took the liberty to bring your things from Charlie's house here, sweetie. I hope that's okay." Esme said with a smile.
Bella smiled and nodded. "Of course, although I just know Charlie will come and raise hell in the coming days, and I don't know if I can handle that." She said softly.
Esme smiled at her as we led her inside. "I think I speak for everyone that we will have some words for your father, but we will leave it up to you on how we will deal with him."
Bella nodded and pressed herself close to me and I smiled at her as I wrapped an arm around her waist.
She smiled at me as we walked inside, the first thing we saw was a very excited Pixie running up to hug my mate.
Thankfully Alice slowed down enough and looked at me before actually hugging her, and when I merely smiled at her and nudged Bella forward a little, Alice wrapped her arms around the brunette. "Welcome home Bella."
"Thank you Ali. It's good to finally be home where people love me." She said with a soft smile.
Alice smiled at her as she stepped back into Jasper's arms. "Sorry I can't give you a hug yet Bella, but welcome home. Perhaps in a few weeks when I am used to having your scent around I will be able to give you the hug you deserve." He said in his southern drawl, and I couldn't be more proud of my brother at the moment.
Bella smiled at him. "It's okay Jasper. I don't want to make you more uncomfortable than you probably already are."
He smiled at her as Emmett and Victoria walked up. "I won't give you a hug either because I don't want to hurt you. I always have trouble controlling my strength when I'm excited. I'm so happy you're home and that we can spend all this time together." Emmett said with his usual grin.
Bella smiled at him. "Again, no problem Brother Bear. You will be able to give me plenty of hugs in the coming months."
He grinned at her as Victoria swept my mate into her arms. "Welcome home, little bird."
Bella smiled at her. "Thanks Vicki, it's good to be home."
The redhead smiled at her as we stepped into the living room, where Sulpicia was waiting with Jane, Alec and Heidi. "Welcome home Bella. How are you feeling?" Sulpicia asked with a soft smile.
Bella smiled at her and shared a quick look with both me and Esme, and of course I just smiled at her.
Bella then shyly walked forward and wrapped her arms around Sulpicia. "It's good to be home, Mom." She said softly.
Sulpicia smiled brightly at that, but said nothing for the moment, but with the quick look she shot Esme, she was over the moon, apparently not having expected this already.
Next Jane stepped forward and looked my mate over for a second. "Hello, I'm Jane, your new sister."
Bella smiled as she shook the blonde's hand. "It is nice to meet you Jane. I look forward to getting to know you better."
Jane only nodded at her as Alec basically introduced him in a similar way, which got a similar reaction from Bella.
Last up was Heidi and she seemed to contemplate how she should greet Bella. "Hello Bella. I'm Heidi, I know we're going to be great friends and sisters."
Bella smiled at her. "I am sure we will. I could use another big sister." She said with a soft smile.
Heidi smiled as Bella stepped back into my arms, shooting me an apologetic look, to which I only smiled.
"Are you hungry, sweetie? I can make you something if you want." Esme asked with a motherly smile.
Bella smiled at her. "Yes please. Hospital food is gross, even for human standards. I've been craving one of your home cooked meals."
Esme smiled at me. "I think I have the things to make your favorite. It'll take a while though. Why don't you and Rosalie go and see your new room."
We nodded and Bella hugged her as we made our way upstairs and to our room. "I know it might have been a bit presumptuous, but I was hoping you would want to stay with me in my room."
"Like there is any other room I would want to stay in. I know you want me close, and I want to be close to you as much as I possibly can, so I think this will work out perfectly." She said with a soft smile.
I smiled and kissed her cheek softly. "Then I can only say, welcome to our room, my love." I said as I opened the door.
She gasped softly as she stepped in, the room being a beautiful light purple with black accents. It had a king sized bed and enough closet space for everything she could ever want. There were also two desks set up against one of the walls, one of which held a brand new laptop and plenty of notebooks for her, and thankfully we had also had en-suite bathroom. "This is beautiful. We have to be careful that Alice won't kick us out and claim all this closet space for herself."
"First of, Alice wouldn't dare, and secondly, she has plenty of closet space as it is and has definitely more than we would ever need. We have another special thing in our room, or should I say rooms." I said with a soft smile.
"We have two rooms?" Bella asked softly.
I nodded and led her to the door in the corner, opening it with a smile. "This will be our daughter's room, my love. It's still empty, but in the coming months we can fill it how we see fit, no matter how much Alice says she has already seen the end result."
She laughed softly at that. "Yeah, this is something for us. We can start looking at things when we have some more certainty."
I nodded at that. "I understand that you're being careful, Bella. Do you want to rest a little before lunch?"
She nodded and kissed my cheek as we walked back into our room and we laid down on our bed. "I would ask you to pinch me, because I still think I am dreaming. I love you Rosalie Hale."
"And I love you Isabella Cullen." I said softly.
She smiled and rested her head on my shoulder. "Actually, I was hoping I could take your last name, even though we are not married yet."
"I would be honored if you took my last name, but only if you really want to." I said softly.
"I am on hundred percent sure. I think Isabella Hale has a very nice ring to it. The Swan name never fit me, and the Cullen name makes me think of Edward." She said with a loving smile.
I smiled and pressed a kiss to her cheek, both of us content to stay like this until it was time for lunch.
Bella's POV
After lunch almost everyone left the house, leaving Rose and I alone with Sulpicia and Esme. "So did you like your room sweetie?" Esme asked with a soft smile.
I nodded and smiled at them. "It was the best present I have ever gotten. Thank you so much."
Esme and Sulpicia smiled at that. "You're our daughter Bella. We want you to have the best in life, and we will stop at nothing to provide you with that." Sulpicia said with a smile.
I smiled at that. "Thank you, and I hope I wasn't being too forward earlier when I called you Mom."
"Of course not dear. It is more than I could have hoped for. I promise to be the mother that you deserve." Sulpicia said with a smile.
"You and Esme already are by providing a loving home. Neither of my parents ever really gave me that growing up." I said softly.
Before I could even blink both of them had wrapped their arms around me in a hug, wrapping me in a cocoon of warmth and love that I couldn't help but relax in. "We will always love you sweetie. We want you to be happy in life." Esme said softly.
I smiled at them. "And I will, with you two as my mothers and the rest of the family filling the spots I have been missing my whole life, I just know all I will know from now on is happiness."
From the corner of my eye I could see Rosalie smile sweetly at me, and I couldn't help but return it. "However, this might also be a good time to talk about what you want to do after high school. So what are your plans?" Sulpicia asked with a smile.
I smiled at them. "Honestly, I was hoping to stay home until graduation, because I am not ready to deal with those girls at school who will only poke fun at the pregnant girl once it becomes apparent that I am pregnant, and to avoid any massacres I'd rather finish school at home and then do some online college classes. I want to be a writer and I won't need many classes for that."
They both smiled at me. "If that is what you truly want, we will of course support you in your choice. We just want you to be able to live your life to the fullest."
"Writing has always been a passion and I've had numerous teachers who said I should seriously look into writing professionally, so now that I have the chance, I want to seriously give it a try. Plus it will be easy to combine with a pregnancy." I said honestly.
Esme and Sulpicia smiled at that. "That's a very practical way of thinking dear. We just don't want you to turn into a recluse." Sulpicia said kindly.
I laughed lightly at that. "With Alice, Heidi and Victoria, I doubt that will happen. I just want to spend as much time as possible with Rosalie and the rest of the family too of course."
They smiled at me. "We understand sweetie. We've all felt the pull of the mating bond." Esme said softly.
"Could you tell us a little bit about how you two found each other? I'm awfully curious." I asked softly.
The two women smiled at me as they shared a quick look with each other. "Of course sweetie. I was turned by one of the old rulers of Volterra, who foolishly thought I was his mate. That was over four thousand years ago. Once my newborn phase was over I realized he wasn't my mate, but rather wanted to control me, much like Edward wanted to do to you. So together with my sisters Didyme and Athenodora, we devised a plan to get rid of him and his brother Caius, who was another one of the old rulers. It took a while but we managed to kill them, leaving only the oldest alive, since he is a decent man and the love he shares with Didyme is one of the strongest mating bonds in our world. Esme came to us a few years after we had established our rule, after having been caught hunting a bit too close to our town, and to this day I still remember the first time I saw her walk into our Throne Room. She was and still is the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes upon. The love I feel for her is so strong that even after all these centuries she can make me feel weak in the knees with just a smile."
Esme smiled and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. "Thank you love. It is the same for me. I will do anything for Sulpicia and we usually know exactly what the other is thinking even without her gift being involved. One look is usually all it takes to know what she is thinking and vice versa."
"What is your gift if I may ask?" Rosalie asked softly.
Sulpicia smiled at her. "I can read every thought you have ever had with one touch, much like Edward, but unlike Edward I know the value of privacy."
Rosalie smiled at that. "I'm glad for that, I don't know if I could handle another person that will tell everyone what they are thinking the entire day."
"I can understand that Rose. It was becoming more annoying with every passing day, but I have a confession to make. I have a gift as well, one that makes me quite hard to kill. I can regenerate my body parts if I lose them to the fire." Esme said with a soft smile.
I gasped softly at that. "Wow, that's amazing. I'm almost afraid to ask, but how did you find out about this?"
She only smiled at me. "Very plainly to be honest. We had a Volturi member who chose to go with Tanya when she needed some time with her sisters who has the ability to detect gifts in both vampires and humans. Come to think of it, we should ask Eleazar to visit sometimes. He will be able to tell if you have a gift, which I expect since you have blocked Edward's gift and Sulpicia's gift also doesn't work on you. She would have seen your thoughts when you hugged her."
"I indeed did not see anything when I touched you my sweet. But we have plenty of time, and I am sure that Tanya, Athenodora and their family will come to visit us at some point in the next couple of years." Sulpicia said with a soft smile.
I smiled and nodded at her as I cuddled a bit more into Rosalie. "Tired much love?" She asked softly.
"Yeah, my medication is making me both a bit loopy and tired at the same time." I said softly.
"Then why don't you go and take a nap sweetie. We'll call when dinner is ready. Is there anything you are in the mood for tonight?" Esme asked sweetly.
I smiled at her. "Pasta would be great, or something similar that will bring my energy stores back up."
Esme smiled and nodded. "I think we can make that happen. Enjoy your nap sweetie."
I smiled and went to hug them before I made my way back upstairs with Rosalie.
Rosalie's POV
When we were back in our room later that night, Bella again wasted no time in cuddling up to me. "You don't know how happy I am that you are so much more comfortable to lie against than Edward was."
I smiled and pressed a kiss against her neck. "I certainly hope so love. I would hate to be more uncomfortable than my brother."
"The fact that you are a woman helps a lot. Women are just curvier and more comfortable in general, but also because of the fact that you are the woman I have the privilege of cuddling up against." She said with a soft smile.
"You've always had that privilege, my love, and if I had my say, we would've been together a lot sooner. Alice had seen that if Edward had not stood in the way, we could've been great friends from the start and that you would have accepted your feelings for me a lot more naturally." I said with a soft smile.
She blushed a little at that. "Thank you Rose. That means a lot to me. I really don't know why I let things with Edward get so far. I never was attracted to him, because I have known that I was gay for years. I should have just stood up to him and told that he and I were never going to happen."
I smiled and pulled her flush against my body. "Unfortunately that wouldn't have ended well, if there is one thing Edward is better at than getting away with everything, it's controlling people. He's also a gigantic man-child that will throw a tantrum when things don't go his way. Alice saw what would happen if you broke up with him, and I refused to let that happen, because he would've killed you just to make me miserable, because that is also a thing he was very good at."
Bella smiled at me. "You've gotten the girl in the end, so all's well that ends well?"
I nodded and kissed her softly. "Indeed I have. I just hoped to have spared you this experience."
She sighed softly and rested her head on my chest. "I could have lived without this as well, but at least a few good things have come out of this. Not in the least that we're finally in bed with each other, and another thing being the little girl growing inside of me and that you will finally get to be a mother, which I know you will be absolutely amazing at."
I smiled at her. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity. It means everything to me."
"There is no one I would want to be the other parent to my child, and I apologize in advance for the inevitable hormonal bitch I am going to become in the coming months." She said with a soft smile.
"I am sure I will be able to handle it, my love. My best friend back when I was human had a baby at a young age and I was by her side for most of it, so I know how to deal with a pregnant woman, especially if that woman is literally one of the two most important people in my life. I will learn your needs and act on them immediately when necessary, especially when you start getting your cravings. Plus, I don't think there is any way that you will ever be any bitchier than I am. I've often been called the Gold Standard of Bitch." I said with a smile.
She groaned softly at that. "I haven't really thought about those. I hate pickles."
I laughed lightly at that. "Don't worry love, pregnant women craving pickles is a cliché. Chances are that you will crave a lot of other things before pickles. My friend Vera craved chocolate."
She smiled at that. "Now that I can live with. It's never a negative to crave chocolate, which reminds me of another plus. Nine months of freedom from my monthly friend."
"Yes, something most vampires in this house will also be very thankful for. Your scent would've been amplified at that time, and by the time it becomes an issue again, everyone will have had plenty of time to have gotten used to having your scent around all the time, not to mention that our daughter will probably help with that too." I said with a soft smile.
She smiled at me, which quickly trailed off into a yawn. "I hope so, but would you mind if I got some sleep. My medication is starting to kick in."
I only smiled at her I let her get comfortable against me. "Sweet dreams Bella. I'll be here all night."
She only smiled as she fell asleep, and I couldn't help but place a soft kiss on the top of her head. "I'll never stop loving you, Bella, and no one will take you from me again."
