It finally worked! Sorry for the delay. FFN was being difficult and wouldn't let me, or anyone else, upload yesterday afternoon. But, it looks like we're back in business!

Hope you all had a fabulous holiday, however you chose to spend it! We had a great time in Tennessee. We came back home to our boys, and the house was still standing, LOL, so I guess you could say it was a success! Who knew my 12, 15, and 18 y/o's could be trusted? ;)

Big thanks to Fyrebyrd, Gabby1017, TheMetroDad, and 2brown-eyes for pre-reading, and to my beta, SunflowerFran. Please remember, I fiddled, so all mistakes are mine.

Bella

Edward stepping into his father's shoes hasn't been a difficult transition. He tells me that Carlisle's associates have all been willing to work with him, and there's been no challenge from anyone thinking they can swoop in and try to take over, namely Jasper. His also says his contact, Liam, has always been considered one of his guys, and not his father's, so their shipments haven't been interrupted.

He's only away from home a little more than he had been, which earns him the stink eye from Carmen on occasion, but we're happy. I'm busy at the station too, which means Carmen now has a room here for my late night shifts and tucks in Kaitlin more than I'd like, but we're adjusting. I know it's not ideal, but we're making it work.

Carmen has also been seeing one of Edward's guys, Eli, so I'm sure she's up to date on the shift in leadership. She's been a bit colder toward Edward the last several weeks, but there isn't anything he can do about it. He's the boss now, and she's just going to have to get over it. I know she's only looking out for Kaitlin and me, but it's my life, my daughter, and Edward is what's best for us.

Today is Valentine's Day, and I know in years past we've always spent it as a family with Edward spoiling us with ridiculous gifts and attention. So when I walk into our apartment this morning and see him standing there, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, not a suit, waiting for me with bags at his feet, I'm stunned.

"What-"

"Miss Swan, I was hoping you'd accompany me for the weekend." He steps forward and pulls me into his arms.

"What? Where?"

"You, me, and a slice of beachside paradise. Just the two of us. Whaddya say?"

"What about Kaitlin?"

"She's with Rose and Em." His nose trails along my jaw leaving small kisses on the way.

"When-"

"I dropped her off about an hour ago, while you were out. And she's excited to spend the weekend with her cousins, so don't worry."

I look up, a small smile playing on my lips. "Just us?"

"Just us, baby."

"I'd love to." I stand on my tiptoes to peck him on the lips. "I just need to pack." I move to pull away.

"Nope. It's all done." He brings his hand from my waist and checks his watch. "We need to be at the airport in less than an hour, so we need to get a move on."

I've only been on the private jet twice, and both times I was either emotionally distraught facing an unknown future or distracted with my daughter when we brought her back to Boston. This time though, I'm able to enjoy every moment of it.

"Oh! Edward, look!" I grab his arm in my excitement. I tug him toward the window as he laughs at my enthusiasm.

"Yeah, baby. I've seen it before." He kisses the side of my head, still smiling as I peer out at the vast ocean below.

"Well, you might have, but it was raining when I flew to Cork, and I had a still-recovering toddler when I flew back. I couldn't exactly appreciate the view at the time."

It's several moments until I realize that while I've been admiring the scenery, Edward has been quietly watching me from his seat. I look back at him over my shoulder and give him an embarrassed smile.

"Sorry." I settle back into my seat, feeling like a kid caught doing something she shouldn't be. "Guess I got a little excited."

He puts his arm around me, pulling me closer. "Don't apologize, álainn. I was just sitting here thinking how I'm the luckiest fuckin' bastard in the world right now. I love watching you get worked up about shit I take for granted. And your excitement over the simple things is only one of the reasons I love you."

I settle closer, giving him a quick kiss along his jaw. "And your patience with me is one of the reasons I love you."

Not for his lack of trying, but Edward isn't able to convince me to check out the bedroom at the rear of the plane. Though I wouldn't mind seeing it at some point.

"But Edward," I whisper into his ear. "I don't think the flight is long enough to test it out properly."

His answering growl tells me he's willing to test my theory. But it's not a few moments later, and the pilot announces we need to buckle up for landing.

The flight only felt like a few short hours, so we can't be too terribly far from home. We've landed on an island I'm told is somewhere in the Caribbean. I look around as Edward handles our bags and speaks with the pilot.

The landscape is breathtaking. Sandy soil meets the edge of the runway, and palm trees sway nearby. The bright blue sky is a stark contrast against the green surrounding us. The word that springs to mind is vibrant. It's absolutely nothing like the dull, drab days we left back in Boston.

"Ready to go exploring?" Edward wraps his arms around me from behind, nuzzling my neck.

"What?" I can barely form a coherent thought as he sucks my earlobe between his lips.

"Come on, Miss Swan, paradise awaits." He kisses the side of my neck before releasing me, only to grab my hand and pull me along.

I must have been too distracted by the scenery before, because I didn't notice the small, red, two-seater convertible waiting for us.

"Oh! This looks like fun," I say as he leads us to the car.

"Well, don't get too used to it. Once I get you to the house, I don't think we'll be back in it until it's time to come back to the airport," he says with a wink as he opens my door and helps me into my seat.

The island roads twist and turn, and soon arrive at our destination. Driving up the path, I'm overwhelmed by the beauty before us. The beach house he rented for us is simply amazing. There isn't another house for what looks like miles in either direction. It's secluded from the road by trees, and I can see how we'll be able to hide away for a few days.

He leads me by the hand into the house, and if I thought it was incredible from the outside, it's even more stunning on the inside. It's airy and open with a breeze blowing through the open windows. Shades of white and cream, soft blues and browns decorate the space. Walking into the bedroom, I'm met with a four-poster bed, draped in flowing white fabrics, the bedding looking fluffy and inviting.

But what really gets my attention are the French doors. From the bedroom, they open right onto the private beach allowing us to step outside and be only steps from the water's edge. I'm sure my squeals can probably be heard for miles, but I really don't care. The look on his face tells me he's okay with it, that he made the right decision to bring me here. We couldn't have this kind of freedom in Boston. To be able to relax and just... be ought to make this weekend that much more memorable.

"So what brought this on?" My arms are wrapped around his neck, and my fingers are lazily running through his damp hair. We're wading in the shallow water of the ocean, the moonlight shining down on us.

"What do you mean?" he asks as his lips kiss a trail down my neck, making me momentarily lose my train of thought.

"Bringing me here. What made you decide to make such a big deal about Valentine's Day anyway? We never really have before. The last few years we've just chilled at home with Kaitlin, which I loved that you've always included her by the way."

"What? I can't do something special for the woman I love?"

I smile in response. "It is pretty special."

"You're pretty special." His lips nip at mine.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. So special, in fact, that I don't think I'm ever going to let you go." He squeezes me to him a little tighter as he continues to kiss any exposed skin his lips can reach.

"You better not."

"Oh, I don't plan on it." He finally pulls his lips from my skin and stares down at me. "Bella, I don't think I could live without you," he says with conviction. The emotion in his eyes is palpable, its own entity between us.

"And I don't think I could live without you. You've made my life so much better, Edward." Tears gather in my eyes as I smile at him, overcome by my own emotions. "I love you so much."

"Enough to spend the rest of your life with me?"

"What?" My voice isn't much more than a whisper. My heart is pounding in my chest as I hope he means what I think he does.

"I love you so much, Bella. And I never want to be without you in my life. Marry me?"

"Edward, I-"

"Say you'll marry me, be my wife. Let me be the man you depend on. I want to be Kaitlin's father, for real, and I want to make more babies with you." He nuzzles into my neck, kissing closer to my ear before whispering. "Marry me."

"Yes," I say just as quietly, pulling away enough to look into his eyes. "Yes, Edward, I'll marry you." At that moment, it feels as if we can see inside each other's souls; see the future we both want.

His smile mirrors mine, and happy tears trail down my cheeks as our lips meet. Our tongues make contact and slowly move together, taking our time, savoring the moment. The feel of his tongue gliding against mine has me hypnotized. His hands run down my back to my ass, lifting me off my feet. My legs wrap around his waist bringing my center to his hardness, all while never breaking the kiss.

I use my feet to nudge his board shorts down enough to free him, and his fingers maneuver my bikini bottom out of the way allowing his cock to find my entrance, rubbing, nudging, before pushing his way inside. So here, in the open ocean, under the light of the nearly full moon, we make love. It feels like I'm taking a personal vow to stand by this man's side for the rest of my life, the man who will be my husband.

Going back to reality was hard, but necessary. Edward said many times he'd have to check into buying some property down that way. Having unfettered access to each other for three days left us both spoiled, and we can't wait to go back.

It's been six weeks, and I have a feeling our lives are about to make another unexpected turn. I've been moody and weepy, and I have no reason to be. When I started snapping at Kaitlin and throwing up several days last week, I realized there must be something wrong with me, and after checking my calendar yesterday, I think I know what it is.

Looking down at our intertwined hands and the rock on my finger reminds me that we're in this for the long haul, though, and I shouldn't be afraid of what our future might hold. The day we returned home, he surprised me with it, and had a special surprise for Kaitlin as well.

"Oh, Edward, it's beautiful!" I gasp, looking down at the round cut diamond set in an antique-looking, filigree, platinum setting.

"You like it?" he asks, sounding unsure.

"No, I love it." I fling my arms around his neck and kiss him soundly.

"Let me see, Mommy!" Kaitlin squeals from beside me.

I hold my hand out for her to take a closer look, and her eyes grow wide.

"That's so pretty," she says, almost reverently.

"It really is," I say, looking back up at Edward. "Daddy did good." I peck him on the lips once more for good measure.

His arms loosen from me, and he pulls away enough to kneel before Kaitlin. "I have something for you, too, Princess."

"You do?" I can tell she's surprised. I'm not, though. Edward has always gone out of his way to make her feel special, and today is no exception.

"I do," he says with a nod. "When I asked your mom to marry me, I was asking for us to be a family, even more so than we are now. I want you to eventually take my last name and be my daughter, legally, Kaitlin." He takes a deep breath and blows it out. "I promise to always love you. To be there for you when you need me, and to watch over you and protect you as a father should. So, as a reminder of that promise..." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out another velvet box, cracking the lid to reveal a small, white gold ring; a delicate heart and tiny diamond adorning the band. "I'd like you to have this."

She's speechless as he pulls it from the box. It's on a chain, though, and he fastens it around her neck, all while she holds it between her fingers, her still wide eyes taking it all in.

"Now, I put it on a chain because it's just a bit too big for you, but I'm sure you'll grow into it soon."

She slips it onto her index finger, and it's obvious it won't be too long before she's wearing it there.

"Thank you, Daddy. I love you." She flings her arms around his neck, holding on tight, and I know all three of us are fighting back the tears.

The morning sun barely peeks through the blinds, and Edward rouses behind me, unwinding his body from mine. He leans over to kiss the side of my head before slipping out of bed, more than likely to go make coffee. I keep my eyes closed, hoping he won't realize I'm awake. I need to do this myself because I have no idea how he'll react.

Once he's out of the room and I know he's far enough away, I fly out of bed toward the ensuite. I fumble under the sink until I find the box with the pregnancy test and tear open the package. It's been over nine years since I've taken one, so I scan through the instructions, just to make sure I don't forget anything.

After following the instructions to the letter, I place the test on the counter, and I wait. The three minutes feel like an eternity, and the memories begin to flood my mind. Back when I found out I was pregnant with Kaitlin, it was a devastating blow. I was a child having a child; one created out of manipulation and deception. I may have had Rose beside me, holding my hand, but I felt so alone and terrified of what the future held.

This time, though, everything is different. I might be physically alone, waiting for the results, but if I am pregnant, I know this child was created out of love. I don't know how Edward will react, but I do know he's an amazing father. We've talked about having another baby, but the timing wasn't right. I even went on the pill instead of replacing my IUD a few years ago so we could try when we were ready. But the timing still isn't right, and I don't know if he'll be angry with me.

The clock ticks away the seconds, and three minutes are up. I don't even have to look too closely to see the results. The second line is bold and tells me all I need to know.

I'm pregnant.

My feet carry me to our bed, and I plop down on the mattress, unexplained tears running down my cheeks as I think about how he might react. It's that moment Edward decides to come back into our room. The look on his face is one of genuine concern, which only makes me cry in earnest.

"What's wrong, álainn?" He rushes to my side, wrapping an arm around me.

"I'm sorry," I wail, suddenly feeling responsible for getting pregnant. "We should have talked, or I should have packed my own damn bag. You're gonna be so mad at me." The wailing starts back again, and I almost can't understand my own rambling.

"What are you talking about, Bella? You're really freakin me the fuck out here." The panic creeps into his voice.

"I know you said you wanted more, but I'm not sure now is a good time."

"More what? Bella, baby, talk to me!"

"I'm pregnant!" I wail, burying my face in my hands.

"You're... How... When..."

I look up then, seeing the confusion on his face while tears continue to stream down mine. "You packed my bags for our trip and forgot to pack my pills, and I got so caught up in the excitement of it all, it didn't occur to me that I didn't have them all weekend. I'm so sorry," I ramble on before once again hiding my face in my hands.

"Why the hell are you sorry, baby? This is... Wow." He's quiet for several moments before I hear him, causing me to peek through my fingers. "We're having another baby." I know he's surprised, but I didn't expect him to be so calm.

"You're not mad?" I ask cautiously before sniffling and wiping away my tears.

"I'm so fuckin' far from mad, Bella." His hand snakes across my middle, shakily resting over where our baby lies. "This is us. You and me. I could never be mad about that."

"We're having another baby," I whisper.

He nods, a smile lighting his face. "We are." He leans down and captures my lips with his own. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Edward. So much."

I'm discreetly munching on saltines as I go through case files at my desk. You'd think after being fifteen weeks pregnant the morning sickness would go away. But no, I've been blessed with nausea nearly every day.

The ding of my computer gets my attention. Looking up from my paperwork, I see it's a request for yet another unit briefing. Scanning through the email, my irritation grows when I see he wants this damn meeting in ten minutes. I finish filling out the report I'm working on, and with a resigned sigh, I rise from my seat and head toward the conference room.

"Wonder what Banner has for us today?" Mike's voice coming from my right keeps my eyes focused on the path ahead of me. He's the very definition of smarmy, always trying to kiss Banner's ass.

"Who knows, maybe Marcus Voltolini got picked up again for solicitation. Not that it'll stick. Hell, we could find a shipping container filled with twelve-year-old girls, and he'd weasel himself out of any charge we'd try to pin on him."

I turn slightly, using my shoulder to push open the heavy door, and I find my way to an open chair. Mike settles into the seat next to me, and the rest of the unit files into the room. After passing out the briefing papers, Banner takes his place at the front of the room.

"Okay people, we've got some new information on the Cullen family. Our source tells us there's a shipment of firearms coming into the harbor somewhere between two and three a.m. tomorrow morning. We're coordinating with the F.B.I., as well as the A.T.F. on this one. We need to make sure we cross every T and dot every I because I'd like to have enough to actually hold them this time. Our intel says the head of the family has his hands in this one personally. If you'll look at the sheets in front of you, we have times and locations where you're all to report. I expect you all to be on point tonight. Any questions?"

A few ask their questions, all while my mind is drifting. The notes in front of me detailing the operation make my stomach churn. This is way too detailed to be just a tip. Someone close to Edward has talked, and he needs to find out who it is... fast. I need to make a call to set up a meeting and give him what I have, quickly. Looking up at the clock, I see we have mere hours before we're supposed to report for duty.

I also know Edward is going to be furious I'm working this raid, so I'll have to talk him down when he realizes I'll be donning my Kevlar vest tonight. Captain Banner's voice brings me out of my drifting thoughts.

"I want you all to go home and take care of what you need to since we'll be working the overnight and probably into tomorrow. We all need to be at our best for this one. I expect you all to report to the staging area at zero hundred hours. We'll regroup then."

Grabbing the papers from the table, I head back to my desk. Knowing I have limited time to do what I need to, I quickly shut down my computer and straighten up my desk, stuffing the papers discreetly into my bag. I feel around for the hidden pocket inside and grab the burner phone hidden there. Acting as though I'm searching for something, I quickly type out a text to the only number listed in the contacts.

'Éigeandála.'

A moment later, as I'm still rifling through the bag, making a show of it, the phone vibrates in my hand; a reply.

'PH, 2h.'

Shoving the phone back into its hiding place, I grab my jacket and head for the door, knowing I need to get moving. Just before I reach it, Banner's voice stops me.

"See you tonight, Swan."

"Of course sir. I'll be there with bells on." Chief Banner is quickly distracted by the commotion going on around us and misses the sarcastic, somewhat acidic tone of my voice. When his eyes meet mine again, I have a fake smile plastered on my face; the smile I always give him. It's the smile I give nearly everyone; everyone except the two most important people in my life.

Turning back toward the door, I hurry out with the weight of the world on my shoulders. I may not have much love for the Cullen family as a whole, but I would hate for Emmett, and by extension, Rose, to get mixed up in this. And Kaitlin and I would be devastated if anything were to happen to Edward.

I have very little time to change the course of tonight, and quite possibly the futures of the people I love.

* Éigeandála - Emergency

A/N: So the end of this chapter brings us to the beginning of the one shot. Next chapter will pick up there, and cover three chapters. There's new content, so for those of you that've read the O/S, there will be some changes from the original.

I will try to reply to reviews this week, but I've got all my guys home for the next week, so I can't guarantee it.

For exclusive weekly pics and teasers, including pictures of the beach house, Bella's and Kaitlin's rings, come check out my Facebook group, Sunshine Fics. Thank you all so much for all the love you've shown this story. I adore each and every reader and review!