We'll Be A Family

C13: Clarity

Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters

Rosalie's POV

A few days later Bella woke up nuzzled in her favorite spot on my body, namely between my breasts and her hands firmly grasping my butt, and quite frankly, I didn't mind that fact one bit. It made me feel so loved and wanted by my Bella that I couldn't help but indulge her, plus in a few months she wouldn't be able to lie on her side anymore, and i wanted her to be as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.

I could hear her heartbeat speed up as she woke up, which was as always accompanied by a squeeze of my butt and a soft kiss in the valley of my breasts. "Good morning Rosie." She said sleepily.

I smiled and kissed her softly. "Morning love. Did you sleep okay?"

She nodded and cuddled against my side, like she did most mornings. "Do we have anywhere to be today, or can I just lie in bed with you all day?"

"Eleazar, Tanya and Athenodora will be here later this afternoon, so once you've had your breakfast, we can go back to bed if you want." I said with a soft smile.

She smiled at that. "Can we at least wait with breakfast for a little while longer. I'm so comfortable right now."

I smiled at her as I wrapped an arm around her. "Of course baby, I don't think Esme or Sulpicia would be mad if you wanted to rest for a little while longer. Yesterday was an exciting day after all."

Bella smiled and kissed me softly. "That it was, but I wouldn't have wanted to miss it. I could get used to seeing you in a bikini. It certainly had a very positive effect on my dreams."

"What did you dream about, if you don't mind my asking?" I asked softly, a bit curious what she could have dreamed about.

Bella blushed a little at that. "I dreamed about us being on an island, completely alone in nothing but our swimwear, but unfortunately I woke up before we could get to the good stuff."

I smiled and kissed her softly. "Perhaps in a couple of years I can make that dream a reality, my love. Esme does own an island where we can be completely alone."

Bella's blush darkened at that. "Don't put ideas in my hormonal head, love. I can barely think straight as it is without you invading every part of my thoughts, all naked and gorgeous."

"I might have an idea that might appeal to you. I don't think we've ever taken the time to take a shower together, and I think it is time we remedied that." I said with a soft smile.

She smiled at that. "I've been meaning to bring that up, because you know how much I hate contributing to the abuse of the environment." She said with a wink.

I smiled and scooped her up into my arms. "And the fact that we will be naked and wet with each other has nothing to do with you being so eager?" I asked with a teasing smile, and to her resulting blush I couldn't help but grin.

"Of course it has something to do with that, you know I love seeing you wet. Or did you not notice how my eyes were glued to your body yesterday." She said as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Oh, I noticed my Bella. So much so that I had to contain myself not to take you away and make love to you all night long." I said huskily as I turned on the shower after putting my mate back on her feet.

She smiled and pressed herself against me. "I wouldn't have been opposed to that, but perhaps we can do that after a nice date, where we just take a night away from the rest of the family and we can then take our time with each other."

I growled softly as we stepped under the spray. "Sometimes I wish you could really see what you do to me on a daily basis, my love, then you wouldn't test my resolve."

Bella smiled at me as she pressed herself against me. "But you love it when I tease you. You've said so on several occasions."

I smiled and pulled her into a kiss, letting my actions speak for me instead and of course I could resist letting my hands roam across her body just a bit.

She moaned softly and deepened the kiss quickly. "You feel so good against me Rosalie. I love you so much."

"I love you too my Bella, and there will never come a day that I will not want to feel you against me as well. I can't live without you anymore." I said honestly.

Bella smiled and kissed me softly. "I can't imagine my life without you anymore either. Especially now that I'm halfway through this pregnancy that I am sure I wouldn't have survived if it wasn't for you."

I smiled at her and couldn't help but kiss her. "I will always be here for you Bella, for whatever you may need, whether that be a shoulder to cry on, or to make you feel like the Queen that you are."

She blushed at that. "I'm not a queen. I'm just plain human Bella. We both know I am the human equivalent of beige."

"I disagree, because I happen to think that you are a very colorful person, so colorful that you would put a rainbow to shame with how bright and colorful you are. Where is this coming from? I haven't heard you talk like that about yourself in months." I asked softly, worry clear in my voice.

"Have I mentioned recently how much I hate hormones? I'm just a bit down today." She said softly.

I smiled and kissed her softly. "Is there anything I can do to help lift your spirits, my love?"

She shook her head and pressed herself against me, my arms coming around her almost automatically.

Then I got an idea and slowly turned her around. "I might have an idea love. Just relax and enjoy."

Bella nodded as I took her shampoo and slowly started washing her hair for her, pampering her like she deserved to be every day of her life if I had something to say about it, which fortunately I had.

Bella's POV

When we came downstairs an hour later, Esme and Sulpicia were immediately by my side, ushering me and Rose into the kitchen. "Are you okay sweetie? You look a bit down." Sulpicia asked softly.

I smiled and hugged her tightly. "I'm okay now. Hormones are a bitch. Rosalie as always was a great help of course."

The two women smiled and pressed a kiss to my cheek as I took a seat, where a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and miniature sandwiches was already waiting for me. "Thanks for breakfast Mom. It smells delicious as always."

"Thank you sweetie. I hope you enjoy it, and while you eat we'll tell you the plan for today." Sulpicia said with a smile.

I nodded and dug in, because I was really hungry because of all these hormones raging through my body.

Esme and Sulpicia just smiled at me. "Eleazar, Tanya and Athenodora will be here in about two hours, and to make it easier on you, Tanya will bring one of her sisters, one I think you will like, since she resembles your mate in a couple of ways."

I could see Rosalie smile beside me. "Irina is coming then? That's a surprise. She's more indifferent towards humans than Jane is."

Esme smiled at that. "Tanya thought that would be better than to have Kate come with her, since Kate is about as excitable as Alice and we felt that wouldn't be good for Bella's energy levels, but Tanya didn't feel right about traveling without at least one of her sisters, and I think Alice also has something to add as well."

I smiled as the Pixie was in the seat beside me in a flash, giving a side hug. "I have seen that you will be great friends with Tanya's sisters, and we all thought it was easier to introduce you to them steadily, as Mom said, Kate can be a bit much. She has a great sense of humor, but the two of us together can easily be too much for you at this stage. Irina is a lot more laid back, and will be a lot easier for you to handle because she is a lot like Rosalie in a lot of aspects."

"No one can hold a candle to my Goddess. I'm pretty sure of that." I said with a smile to my blonde Goddess.

Rosalie smiled at that. "While that may be true, I have to agree with the Pixie. Out of any of our cousins in Denali, I have always meshed with Irina the best because we are so much alike, and I think that you will like her too."

I smiled and tried to kiss her, only for her to recoil a little. "You know I never mind you kissing me love, but not when your mouth is all greasy." She said with a soft smile.

I nodded and wiped my mouth on my napkin before kissing her. "Better love?" I asked teasingly.

Rosalie smiled at me as she once again scooped me into her arms and walked us over to the couch, and of course Jane was there next to me before I had time to blink. "Good morning Jane. Would you mind functioning as a cuddle pillow this morning. I could use some sister time."

The blonde nodded and pulled me into her arms while I laid my legs in Rosalie's lap. "So what's bothering you Bella?" Jane asked softly.

"Hormones of course, but I think you heard that. I'll be okay in a bit, but I just need some sister time with my favorite blonde sister." I said specifically so that Alice wouldn't pout for the rest of the day.

Jane smiled at me. "I really thought Rosalie would your favorite blonde sister. I'm honored." She said teasingly, but still as dry as a desert.

"Rosalie isn't my sister. She's my everything, I think that would speak for itself. I said my favorite blonde sister specifically so that Alice won't feel hurt." I said softly.

Jane smiled at me as I relaxed against her and Rosalie softly massaged my feet, which made me both giggle and groan contently.

"I know you're ticklish love, but I had a feeling you would like this." Rosalie said with a soft smile.

I smiled at her. "I'm loving it Rose. It almost feels like I have my feet encased in cement. Walking is just so tiring these days."

Rosalie smiled at me. "Unfortunately that's only going to get worse, love, especially since you're pregnant with twins. Sore feet is something every pregnant women goes through."

I smiled at her. "I know, I was just hoping that I would be able to put it off for a little while longer."

"Unfortunately that is something you don't have control over, love, as is unfortunately the case with most symptoms of pregnancy, but thankfully you have an entire family of vampires willing to wait on you hand and foot." Rosalie said with a soft smile.

I nodded and smiled at her. "You're also very stiff in the shoulders Isabella. I've read that can lead to even more decreased mobility in the later stages of your pregnancy. If Rosalie is okay with it, I would gladly give you a massage." Jane said with a sweet smile.

Rosalie smiled at her. "It's okay Jane, as long as Bella is okay with it."

"Yes please. I've been so stiff lately, I had hoped the shower this morning would've helped, but unfortunately it didn't really help all that much." I said with a soft smile to them both.

I could only groan as Jane just smiled and started massaging my shoulders, putting just the right pressure on the areas I felt the most discomfort.

I felt Rosalie's eyes on me and I couldn't help but smile at her. "Enjoying yourself love?" She asked sweetly.

I nodded at that. "Immensely so love. I hadn't realized how sore I was until now."

Rosalie smiled at me as she put my feet back in her lap. "Perhaps we should look into some light physical activity to keep you in shape. It might help with your sore muscles."

"I would like that, I've honestly been missing it a bit. I mean, I've never been the fittest girl in the world, but I'm not used to be so sore." I said with a soft smile.

Rosalie only smiled and squeezed my ankle softly as Jane kept rubbing the tension from my shoulders, and I was pretty sure that by the time she was done, I was going to be left a puddle of jelly with eyes.

Rosalie's POV

A few hours later the entire family was waiting outside for the arrival of Eleazar, Tanya, Athenodora and Irina, and for the first time in a couple of months, Bella was not by my side, but instead stood between Esme and Sulpicia, both women having put an arm on her shoulder, and I had to admit that it look pretty idyllic, a daughter standing between her mothers.

I had positioned myself close behind her with Heidi and Jane, while Alec was making sure that the puppies wouldn't disturb this meeting today. They had been sniffing around, but had kept to the Reservation so far, but we all knew that it was only a matter of time before one of them would try something stupid.

We heard the soft footfalls approaching and I just couldn't resist taking Bella's hand, even though I knew she would be completely safe. "It's okay Rosie. I'll be okay. There is no safer place to be right now." She said softly.

I smiled at her. "I know, but I can't help it. My inner vampire is screaming to have you beside me at all times."

She smiled sweetly at me and gave my hand a loving squeeze as Eleazar and the three women came into view, and even though it had been quite a while since I had seen Tanya, I could see she was happy, judging by the way she was smiling at the blonde next to her.

"Sulpicia, Esme. So good to see you together again. It's been too long since I have seen you both smile so brightly." Tanya said with a kind smile.

Esme smiled and gave Bella's shoulder a squeeze. "I can easily say the same for you Tanya, but I admit that it is not just Sulpicia who brought this smile back on my lips. A lot of that can also be laid at the feet of our youngest daughter."

Tanya and Athenodora both smiled at her. "Ah yes, the young Isabella we have all heard so much about. I'm Athenodora and this is my mate Tanya, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Bella smiled and gave my hand another squeeze. "The pleasure is all mine. Esme and Sulpicia have told me a lot about you, and I hope you forgive me if I don't bow or curtsy, I have a bit of a headache and am afraid I might fall over if I do."

Athenodora smiled at her. "You are of course forgiven Isabella. We have heard a little of what happened, and you don't have to put yourself through the pain of retelling it again."

Bella smiled at her and visibly relaxed. "Shall we relocate inside, while we can easily stand still for hours, Bella cannot and it will be easier for her if she could sit down, if you want of course sweetie." Esme said with a soft smile.

Bella nodded and pressed herself to my side as we walked inside, and as we took a seat in our loveseat, she quickly cuddled up to me.

"So now that we're all comfortable, why don't we get to the reason we invited you over, besides meeting Bella that is. We suspected that Bella and her daughters have gifts, and we would like to know what it is, so Eleazar, what can you tell us?" Sulpicia asked kindly.

Eleazar smiled at her before focusing on Bella. "Of course Sulpicia. I feel a rather unique ability from young Bella. She is a Soul Seer, basically having the ability to see what resides in one's soul, which will always be truthful. It is difficult to get a read on the two girls, but I am feeling both a mental and physical Shield, so either one of them will have both, or both will have either. It's too early to say more, but I expect the latter. One of them will have a physical Shield and the other a mental Shield, and both are quite powerful at that." He said kindly.

Bella and I smiled at that. "That's good to know, and to be honest a bit expected too. It would certainly explain why Alice can't see them yet, and why I always seem to be able to tell people's true intentions." She said softly.

We all smiled at her and I couldn't resist pressing a kiss to her cheek. "You might have a point there, love. It certainly explains a few things, including your so called stealth mode." I said with a soft smile.

She smiled and kissed my cheek as Sulpicia gathered our attention again. "There are two other things we need to discuss, but I really think one of those we should wait until Didyme and Marcus are here next month, namely the topic of Edward, the last reports and how we will eventually deal with him. The last thing we do need to talk about is the local shifters. They seem to be growing suspicious and have been patrolling close to the border, and while I think it is inevitable to end them eventually, we need to be careful with that given that we still have a few years of appearances to keep up."

"You know how I think about shapeshifters of any kind Sulpicia, but I understand your need to keep up appearances. I'd say be extra careful for a couple of years and deal with them as you see fit. The treaty Carlisle made with them is void since his death, so maybe until that time make a more beneficial treaty, because I doubt they would want an open war with us." Athenodora said with a soft smile.

Sulpicia nodded at that. "They won't, mostly because of the simple fact that they could never win against us. From what I've heard it took a distraction from a human woman bleeding for them to end one of us, and since all of us have gotten much better control of our bloodlust in the past few months from being around such an alluring scent as Bella's, I'm sure we can come to an agreement with those shifters, one way or another."

Athenodora smirked at that. "There's the Sulpicia I know. It seems your reunification with Esme has brought back the woman who didn't take shit from anyone. You had become a bit complacent, and sometimes a bit lazy even."

Sulpicia smiled at her. "I know, but hardly one to talk. Your separation from Tanya had a similar effect on you, but you are right that I have changed in the time I have been reunited with Esme, and found my daughter."

Athenodora smiled at that. "I can imagine, but I am wondering about something. Why aren't we meeting in Volterra for our next meeting?"

"The meeting falls in Bella's third trimester and she isn't allowed to fly in her third trimester. We want to be safe and that's why we have suggested having the meeting here." Esme said with a soft smile.

"You can't argue with that logic, love. We can't put our nieces in danger like that." Tanya said with a soft smile to her mate.

Athenodora smiled at that. "I wasn't arguing with the logic Tanya, I was merely wondering, nor did I know Bella was so far along already."

Tanya smiled at her and pressed a kiss to her cheek as everyone fell into a more easy conversation, and of course Irina immediately made her way over to us.

Bella's POV

When everyone had settled down a little, the tall blonde who had been quiet for most of the day came over. "Hello Bella. I'm Irina. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you too. Rosalie told me a little about you, but I would rather get those details from the source." I said with a soft smile.

Irina smiled at me, which reminded me a lot of Rosalie. "Well, your mate and I have been compared to each other a lot over the last eighty years, but I have never seen her so at ease as I have seen her with you."

I smiled at that. "She's said the same over the last few months, but if you don't mind my asking, why only the last eighty years?"

Rosalie smiled at me. "Irina is at least a thousand years old, my love, and I'm only eighty five years old, so that's why it's only eighty years. We didn't meet each other for five years, because Carlisle was afraid of what Esme and Tanya could do when unified under a singular cause, but of course he didn't account for the fact that they were and still are very willing and able to play the long game."

Irina nodded at that. "Indeed they did, and his stupidity cost him his life in the end. Didyme saw to that personally, but you knew that. Rosalie and I did become very good friends once we did meet, mostly because we were and still are so much alike, and I am sure we are going to become great friends."

I smiled at her. "I can see why people say that, and I look forward to getting to know you and your sisters a lot better in the coming years."

Irina smiled at that. "I like her Rose. She's going to keep you on your toes in the coming centuries."

Rosalie smiled and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "That's the general idea, Irina, and the best thing is that we are going to be able to experience something together that no other mated couple in history had the opportunity to. We get to experience everlasting motherhood."

Irina did look a bit shocked at that. "How will that happen, even with Sulpicia as your mother, immortal children are still forbidden."

I smiled at her. "Alice has seen our daughters as vampires beside us. I won't be turned for at least five years and they will not be turned until they are at least fifteen."

"That's at least some good news, although it saddens me that their choice has been taken away from them before they are even born." Irina said softly.

I sighed softly at that, nodding at the blonde. "I didn't ask to be raped either and them being conceived that way, but that is just the way the dice were rolled."

Irina smiled kindly at me. "I know, and I know that if there had been any other way you would have wanted to avoid this, I can see that much in your eyes. I was merely worried."

I nodded and smiled at her. "I understand. Esme and Sulpicia have told me about some of the rules already, and I understand where your worry comes from. We would never do something that would break my mother's rules. That would be disrespectful to them both."

Irina laughed lightly at that. "I can already see Sulpicia's influence on you is paying of. That was almost exactly what she would say, with almost exactly the same words."

I smiled at that. "Mother has been a very positive influence on me, I would say, together with Esme of course."

I could see them both smile at me as my stomach let its presence be known again, which made me blush a little.

"Are you hungry sweetie?" Esme asked softly.

I nodded at her. "Yeah, sorry. I thought breakfast would be sufficient for at least a couple more hours."

Esme just smiled at me. "I'll make you lunch Bella. Why don't you and Rosalie join me in the kitchen, so Sulpicia and Athenodora can talk without trying to overhear everything." She said with a teasing wink to her wife.

I nodded and Rosalie let me get up before following me and Esme to the kitchen, taking our seats at the kitchen island while Esme prepared me a light pasta, to which I again had to smile, because it was really like she could read my mind.