"Hey, Leah - it's your favorite vampire. Well, half vampire. Okay, not that funny. I'm calling to see if I can pick up Amber after school. The kids want to show off their Christmas present, the swing set Jake and Embry built. It's...BEEP!"

"Me again. I hate your stupid phone. Call me!"

"Hello? Nessie? Yeah, that would be great! Amber's been bugging me, and I'm not feeling that great."

"Wait. Hold on a sec. I was led to believe you wolf people don't get sick. Jake's never been sick. LEAH! Are you…"

"Don't say it! No, I'm not pregnant. Your grandfather says I'd be more likely to be hit by lightning. Twice."

"Look, you know how I worship my grandfather - but he's been wrong before, Lee." Carlisle considered Amber a miracle baby, but he didn't hold out much hope for a sibling. "You can get Embry to pick her up after dinner if that's okay. And seriously, feel better."

Embry tapped on the door at 6:30 and let himself in. In LaPush, all the pack members were considered family. "Damn, Nessie! It smells good in here! I don't suppose you have any leftovers."

Renesmee kissed his cheek and opened the oven with a flourish. "I heard the little woman wasn't feeling well, and I wouldn't want you to be malnourished." A huge plate of food was covered with foil, and she set it on the table.

"Jake! Embry's here!"

Jacob walked into the kitchen with Clarence in his arms. He handed baby and bottle to his wife and pulled two beers from the fridge while Embry uncovered his dinner. "Nessie, if you're ever looking for part-time work you can come cook for Leah and me." He grinned. "And who's this big fella?" He grinned at Clarence, who smiled back showing off some brand new teeth. He was a happy, friendly baby and he was growing like the proverbial weed.

With her free hand, Nessie reached into the freezer and set a quart container on the counter. "Chicken soup for Leah. I'll go gather up Amber's things. She did her homework with Jenny." She disappeared through the doorway.

Jacob took a seat across the table, frowning slightly. "What's up with Leah?" He took a sip of his beer and waited while Embry wolfed down a slab of meatloaf.

Embry shrugged. "I honestly don't know, Jake. One thing I do know - she's mean as a rattlesnake when she doesn't feel well." He laughed. "But if anybody can tame her, it's me."

Jacob touched his beer bottle to Embry's in a salute. "Better you than me, my friend. I've seen her in action! Seriously, though, I hope she's okay."

Embry sobered. "I threatened to call Carlisle if she's not better in a couple of days. I'm sure she'll come around." But he looked worried. "Hey, Princess!" He pushed back from the table and Amber ran to hug him.

"Hi, Daddy! Did you see the swing set? And did you know the kids here just get ONE Christmas present?"

Embry laughed, hiking her up on his knee. "Actually, I have seen it. I even helped Uncle Jake build it. As for Christmas presents, every family has its own traditions. There's no right or wrong way to celebrate. Say thank you to Aunt Ness." He looked at Renesmee, who handed Amber her backpack. "Thanks for dinner, Ness. It was great!" He took Amber's hand and grabbed the soup on the way out.

Jacob rinsed Embry's plate and the two bottles. "I'll catch the end of the movie, Which one is it?"

"Moana. Again." Jacob groaned but headed in to the family room and scooped Mei up from the floor before settling into his recliner with her on his lap.

When the movie was over, Jacob stood. He kissed Mei on the cheek and set her on the floor. "Twins, you're with me. Mei, go with Mommy and Clarence. It's bath time!"

Jenny looked up at her father. "Daddy, I don't wanna take a bath with Jimmy. Boys are disgusting!"

Jacob steered them toward the upstairs bathroom. "Fair enough." It had to happen sooner or later. "Jen, you get the shower tonight and Jimmy gets the tub."

Jimmy whined, "Why does she get the shower? I want the shower!"

Their PJ's were laid out on top of the hamper, pink and blue flannel. "Because she's three minutes younger, and you always get to be first because you're older! Next time it's your turn."

"That doesn't make any sense," Jimmy grumped, but he knew it was a waste of breath. A kid might stand a chance arguing with Mommy, but Daddy didn't negotiate.

Saturday morning was so peaceful the family slept in. A little before eight, Jenny tapped her mother on a bare shoulder. "Mommy! Clarence is talking in his crib."

Ness stretched and pulled the sheet up as she rolled onto her back. Jacob was stirring beside her. "He's okay then, Honey. I'll get him in a minute."

Jenny used her thumb and forefinger to pinch her nose closed. "But he stinks, Mom!"

"I'll get him," Jacob said, sitting up on the edge of the bed. "Thanks, Honey."

Jenny scurried off, and Ness watched Jacob stand and stretch. "Thanks, Jake. I'll get breakfast started. The twins have a checkup at 10. Carlisle is at his home office today. Can you take them?"

"Sure, I can do that." He groaned. "I hope they're not getting shots."

"Nope. Not today. And don't let him give them candy!"

He laughed. "As if I could stop him," he said. He headed next door to the nursery, and Nessie belted her robe around her as she started barefoot down the stairs. "Blueberry pancakes in 15 minutes!" she announced to the house in general. "Get those teeth brushed!"

Mei was standing on her step stool in the downstairs bathroom, stretching to reach the toothpaste. Nessie kissed the top of her head, put toothpaste on her brush, and set the timer. "Keep on brushing till all the sand is gone, Honey. Then it's time for breakfast."

Breakfast was done and cleared up by 9:30 and Jacob directed the twins. "Get your coats on, guys. We're going to see Grandpa Carlisle."

"Visit or checkup?" Jenny asked suspiciously.

"Checkup, but no shots," her father reassured her. "I'm sure Grandma knows you're coming, so let's get a move on."

Jenny looked at Jimmy. "I'll bet she made us molasses cookies!" She rubbed her stomach. They tumbled out the back door and into the back seat of Jacob's car.

"Well, that was easy!"

Carlisle met them at the door dressed in gray slacks and a soft blue sweater. No white coat. He looked confused. "Wait a minute - Jacob, I thought you were bringing Jimmy and Jenny, your babies. Where did you get these big kids - and what did you do with my grandchildren?"

"It's us, Grandpa!" the twins chorused in unison, laughing.

"We're growing up," added Jimmy as they got their welcome hugs from Esme.

Jenny looked up at her 26-year old great grandmother. Some day they would appreciate the irony of that statement. "Did you make cookies, Grandma?"

"Jenny!" Jacob shot her a look.

"It's okay, Honey. They're still in the oven, actually. Why don't you come and help me while Jimmy gets his checkup?"

Jimmy, Jacob, and Carlisle started up the stairs to the office and met Leah on her way down. She was buttoning a flannel shirt over a t-shirt and looked surprised to see them.

"Hey, Leah. Everything okay?" Jacob didn't want to pry, but he had to say something. Leah was the last person he expected to see in the Cullen house. Then he remembered Embry's words.

Jimmy stared open-mouthed when Leah placed her hands on either side of Jacob's face and said "Okay? I'll say I'm okay! I'm going to have a baby!" And with that, she kissed him - right on the lips! Everyone was laughing. Even Uncle Embry, who was suddenly hugging Aunt Leah.

Jenny came out of the kitchen. "What's going on, Jimmy?"

"Aunt Leah just kissed Daddy - right on the lips! And Uncle Embry saw them!" He shook his head. "Grownups sure are weird."

Carlisle pronounced both twins perfectly healthy and remarkably good-looking and intelligent, then handed each of them a miniature candy cane. Jacob groaned. "Don't let Mommy see them. You can eat them while I talk to Grandpa. Here, give me the wrappers."

Esme put the rest of the cookies in two zipper bags and told the children to be sure and share with Mei. She hugged them both, and they were on their way.

"Mommy! Mommy! Grandpa gave us candy and Grandma made us cookies!" Jennie yelled as they crashed through the kitchen door.

"And Aunt Leah kissed Daddy - RIGHT ON THE LIPS!" Jimmy added, not to be outdone.

They whirled through the kitchen and into the laundry room to hang up their coats.

"Remind me never to trust them with a real secret," Jacob said with a grin. "Leah was leaving as we got there. She was kind of excited because she's pregnant."

"Awww, that's great! But I'll bet I can kiss you better." Renesmee wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, her tongue slipping seductively along his lower lip.

"You win," he whispered in his deep, sexy voice. "And you can kiss me any old time you want."