Hi!

OMG I am blown away by the response to this story. I'm so touched. I didn't expect one review let alone 11! And so many more favourites and alerts. Thank you! You guys are awesome!

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Here's chapter two for you.

– Bella's POV –

"Morning Bells." Dad called, traipsing into the house in his snow boots with three boys hot on his heels.

"Morning boys." I smiled. "Breakfast will be ready soon. Are you boys hungry?" I asked, turning the strips of bacon sizzling in the pan.

"Starving!" Eight-year-old George came bounding into the kitchen, covered in snow, his nose bright red, one glove hanging out of his pocket, the other missing. "What are we having, Bells?"

"The usual. Eggs. Sausage. Bacon. Are you in the mood for pancakes or French toast?" I asked, placing the strips of bacon onto a plate. Then I added the sausages to the frying pan.

"Pancakes!" George declared.

"French toast." Noah and Alex insisted.

"Of course." I sighed. "Why did I bother asking?"

"Glutton for punishment." Noah smirked, snagging a piece of bacon from the plate before I could get it to the table.

I mussed his fiery red hair as I passed.

I thought the shifters down in La Push could eat. They had nothing on these boys. Turns out, vampires who're born are entirely different from vampires who're changed. These boys can eat human food and drink blood. And because of their close bond to their parents, somehow, dad and Vicky can now eat solids, too.

I'm sure there's some ridiculously long scientific explanation for it, or reason behind why it happens, but I don't really care to know what it is. This is the way it is, and that's that.

Food is such a big part of life. Especially ours. I'm glad that, if I choose to become a vampire in the future, to remain with my girls, it's not something I'll be forced to give up.

"Christmas lights are done." Dad said, coming into the kitchen and heading straight for the coffee pot. "You hear from that realtor yet?" He asked, pouring himself a cup. "You know, there's plenty of room here. Maybe you should cancel and spend Christmas with us."

I looked over at dad. He'd been trying to convince me to stay ever since the girls and I moved in six months ago. "As much as I appreciate the offer, dad, this house is not big enough for all of us long term."

"We'll expand." He shrugged. "Vic was saying only last night that it might be nice to have a little more room."

"We aren't going far." I promised him. "My realtor called me back this morning, she's found a few places. One is only about twelve miles from here. So, about a twenty-minute drive for me and a four-minute run for you." I smiled. "I'm going to take the girls to see it this afternoon."

Dad sighed. "But if you change your mind . . ."

"I know, dad." I smiled.

"So, what's this house like?" He asked, leaning against the counter to watch me cook.

I wasn't sure about the house. I mean, on paper it was great. Amazing actually.

"It sits on a 20-acre lot, which includes horse stables, a barn and two pastures. The house is twelve thousand square feet. Seven bedrooms. Seven and a half bathrooms. Five car garage with a full workshop. Two story, with a fully renovated basement. All the luxuries: home theater, games room, an indoor pool and sauna, library, three offices and an art studio."

On paper it was gorgeous.

It was cheap, too. Well, cheaper than what I would've expected. Which had me wondering what was wrong with it.

The buyers are eager to sell.

"It's been on the market for almost four years. The pictures look amazing." I handed him my iPad so he could look for himself. "I'm just not sure." I admitted. "It's so big. Seven bedrooms. Do I really need all that space?"

If I was going to have more children, I'd say yes. But as this was my last little one a house with seven bedrooms seemed wasteful to me. And what am I going to do with a five-car garage and workshop? I don't know anything about cars!

I'd only agreed to see the house because my realtor, Audrey, insisted we take a look as the price was so good.

"It would look really pretty decorated for Christmas." I sighed.

"Bell, you can't buy a house because it would look pretty at Christmas." Dad reminded me.

I knew he was right. I needed a house that functioned all year. But I love Christmas—it's best time of the year—so it had to be a factor.

"So, what's the problem?" Dad asked, sipping his coffee as I began making pancake batter.

I shrugged. "I dunno." I admitted. "I just have a bad feeling."

Honestly, I couldn't tell him more than that.

The house looked great but, deep in my gut, I had a bad feeling about the place. I couldn't describe it. It was just . . . a bad feeling.

"It does look nice. A little bigger than I expected. What are you going to do with all those extra bedrooms?" Dad asked.

"Well, it's really on three extra bedrooms. One could be a playroom for the girls. And then two spare bedrooms for guests," I shrugged.

Dad nodded. "Do you want me to come with you? Vic's taking the boys to visit Louie and Eli this afternoon."

"No." I shook my head as I plated up the sausages and began working on the pancakes. "Go see Eleazar. I know you've been looking forward to it all week. You guys were going fishing, right?"

"Yeah, but I can—"

"No, you can't," I insisted, urging him towards the table, "now, eat before it gets cold." I kissed the top of his head and then called Vic and the girls down for breakfast.

– XOXO –

After breakfast I took a quick shower and dressed in a pair of jeans and my red Christmas tee that said 'Tis the Season to be Pregnant' on the front. I threw my thick, dark hair up into a ponytail. Swiped on a little mascara and ChapStick. And that was that. Nothing fancy.

The girls were more particular about their outfit choices.

Ever since Thanksgiving they've insisted on wearing Christmas outfits every day. Today was no different.

Lottie was dressed in a red tiered frilly skirt with a white, long sleeve top that had a picture of Father Christmas's face on the front, a red collar, and flared sleeves.

Jas was wearing a similar outfit, only her skirt was tulle, tiered in green and red, with a picture of Rudolph on the front of her white, long sleeve tee.

They both had on a pair of red and white stripped tights and their red ankle boots. They refused to wear their coats. I only just wrangled them into their gloves and scarves. Hats were out of the question, too. Because of the bow's Nana had put in their hair.

No outfit is complete without bows.

Apparently, I'm raising little fashionistas.

"Momma?" Lottie looked up at me as I buckled her into her car seat.

"Yes, my love?"

"Where we goin'?" Jas asked, watching me with big, beautiful blue eyes.

The girls were identical in everything but personality. They had light blonde, curly hair with big, deep blue eyes. I imagined they looked just like their father when he was human.

I smiled. "We're going to look at a house Miss. Audrey found for us." I told them.

"We movin'?" Jas asked.

"Nana and Papa comin', too?" Lottie wondered.

"No. Nana and Papa will stay at their house." I explained. "You two, Mommy and the new baby will live at our house."

Lottie looked at Jas.

Jas looked at Lottie.

Lottie looked back at me and shook her little head, blonde curls bouncing. "I don't think so."

"We stay with Nana and Papa." Jas told me.

"Nana and Papa's house is very small. In the new house you two could have your own bedroom." I tried.

More head shaking. "We sleep wid Mommy." Jas told me.

"You do." I agreed. "But in the new house, you two could have your own room. With big girl beds."

Lottie shook her head. "No, sank you. We stay wid Mommy."

Well, okay. I guess they've made up their minds.

Do you ever get the feeling the universe is trying to tell you something?

Yeah.

I have that feeling right now.

– XOXO –

It took me thirty-eight minutes to get to the house. My sense of direction is no better now than it was seventeen years ago.

Audrey's car was in the driveway, as well as two others and a motorcycle. I couldn't tell you make or model. They were black and silver, sleek, with tinted windows, and looked expensive.

The outside of the house was as gorgeous as I'd seen in the pictures. It was a bit more secluded than I realized. The driveway was long. If we got a lot of snow there's no way I'd be able to shovel it on my own.

It looked bigger than I'd been imagining. Twelve thousand square feet is a lot of space for just the four of us. But, on the other hand, the girls won't always be little, so we'd grow into it. But are we going to grow into twelve thousand square feet? That's a lot of house!

"What do you think?" I asked as I helped unbuckle them and then lifted them out of their seats.

Jas shrugged her little shoulders as she reached up for my hand.

"Big." Lottie said, taking my other hand.

Yep. It was definitely big.

Slowly, being careful of the snow and any ice, we walked up to the house.

"Hold onto the railing." I told the girls as we climbed up the front steps. They were a little icy.

Once we were stood on the porch Lottie let go of my hand and rushed forward to ring the bell. "I do it, Momma!" She insisted.

"No! I do it!" Jas cried, letting go of my hand so she could race her sister to the bell.

Standing on their tippy toes they both stretched their arms up and just barely managed to ring the doorbell with the tips of their tiny fingers.

"Once is enough." I told them, when they tried a second time.

They both jumped and scurried back when the door opened to reveal a stunning blonde vampire. Audrey, my realtor. "I'm so glad you could make it. I was starting to get worried."

I sighed. "I might have got a little lost." I admitted as the girls took my hands once again.

"I figured." She laughed, her deep red eyes dancing with excitement. "Come in, come in!"

I stepped into the foyer and, yep, it was huge.

Have you ever bought a house? You step through the front door and immediately you know this is not the house for you. That's the feeling I had.

In my head, twelve thousand square feet is nothing. I can barely imagine it. Standing in twelve thousand square feet is an entirely different matter.

It was big. Too big.

And a bit . . . showy for my taste.

I didn't feel at home here. More like, the girls were going to touch something and leave sticky fingerprints on the pristine white walls or I'd trip over my own feet and something would break.

"I'm not sure this is the one for you." Audrey was saying. By now, she knew me pretty well. "But I wanted you to get a feel for it and see if anything calls to you."

I nodded.

"The owners are actually here." She told me, frowning. "It's a little unorthodox, but I figured you wouldn't mind. If you have any questions about the house or the land, now is the perfect time. They're eager to sell!" She stopped and turned to look at me. "You don't have a problem living in a home once occupied by vampires, do you?"

"Uh, no." I shook my head, a little shocked by her question. Not that it bothered me any. I just wasn't expecting it.

That feeling of dread was getting stronger.

"Momma . . ." Lottie whispered.

"Pretty . . ." Jas breathed.

I looked down at the girls and then back up to what they were staring at.

Oh hell.

That feeling of dread intensified tenfold. Because directly in front of me were seven pairs of golden eyes.

I wasn't expecting this.

I don't think shocked was a strong enough word to describe how I felt in this moment.

Dumbfounded.

Astonished.

Dazed.

They all meant the same thing, and yet, none of them were powerful enough.

Although, maybe it wasn't so much shock as it was anger.

Fury.

Distrust.

Abandonment.

Betrayal.

Hurt.

Fear.

I could feel that long forgotten ache deep in my chest beginning to split open once again. It was something I hadn't felt in almost sixteen years. That sensation like someone punched their fist through my chest and wrapped their hand around my still beating heart.

They seemed shocked to see me standing in their living room. Even the one who proclaimed she could see everything! Guess the meddling gnome hadn't seen this one coming. Her Dijon mustard eyes were narrowed and filled with half a dozen flickering emotions I couldn't begin to name. She didn't seem at all happy to see me. I can't imagine why.

Could it be, after all this time, her lies are about to catch up to her?

Possibly.

I wonder if it'll make a difference to any of them?

I wonder if they knew and went along with it because it's her and she always gets what she wants?

I wonder if my so-called mate knew?

Was he so besotted with her he'd give up the opportunity to be with his True Mate? His soulmate.

I can't see that.

But then, I didn't really know him, did I? I wasn't allowed to get to know him when they were in Forks.

Is there more to all of this than I know? More to him, maybe? Is he so broken, so beaten down and manipulated, that he believes the lies he's been fed?

Now that I was standing in the same room with him—I could literally reach out and touch him—I had to wonder if he even knew the truth.

Dad had suggested it years ago; that maybe he had no idea we're mated. That somehow, Alice has intercepted all the letters, paperwork, documents, and notifications The Agency has sent him.

But, if that were true, she'd have to be working with someone else. The Agency told me they'd spoken directly to my mate. Alice is good, but I don't think she's capable of imitating someone else's voice, especially not a male. A female, I could see, but not a male. Right?

That only left three options.

I couldn't see it being Emmett. He may have left, too. And, I'm as hurt and angry with him as I am with the rest of them. But I can't see him hurting Jasper that way. He's just too much of a softie. Especially when it comes to his family, love, and mating.

He's a mated man. Above all else, his Rosie comes first. Which is likely the only reason he left me. She asked him to. She convinced him. And, because of how much he loves her, he did as she asked. Even if it meant hurting me. In regards to their bond, I'm pretty low on the totem pole. And that's how it should be.

If that's how it happened.

Maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe it was just like Edward said; the whole family were fed up with the silly human. Vampires are exceptional actors, after all.

Maybe the whole family were in on it! Though I can't see what their motive would be . . .

Unless . . .

There is one thing that doesn't make any sense to me. If I'm right and my mate has no idea about any of this—and from the look on his face, the poor suckers completely clueless—why would he donate his sperm?

. . .

. . .

. . .

Unless he didn't know he was donating his sperm . . .

Obviously, Alice must've been the one to . . . procure it. But how did he not know she'd collected him sperm?

. .

. .

Actually, never mind. There are ways. She's resourceful. She would have thought of a way and manipulated the situation somehow. I so don't need to know the details of their sex life.

Eww. Gross.

. .

. .

What I do wonder is why would she go to such extremes just so I could have children? I doubt it was out of the kindness of her heart.

She must have an ulterior motive. But what could she gain by impregnating me with my mate's sperm?

I couldn't answer those questions. But I sure as hell didn't like where this line of thinking had taken me.

Gently, I pulled my girls closer to me.

I should've taken dad up on his offer and had him come with me. That sense of dread was getting stronger. Something wasn't right here. I couldn't place exactly what was going on, but I had a feeling I'd just walked into a trap!

"Bella . . ." Edward breathed, staring back at me. He looked shocked, but then, he was always a good liar.

I had a sudden urge to flee.

"You know each other?" Audrey asked, turning towards me. "Bella?" She gently touched my arm.

"Sorry," I shook my head, trying to clear my mind.

Now was not the time. I would not allow them to see me break. And I certainly wasn't going to show weakness!

I took a deep breath, yanked my best smile into place, and pulled my shield tighter around myself and my girls.

If they thought they were going to get their grubby mitts on my girls, they had another thing coming. Nothing would get through my barrier.

According to Eleazar, shields are genetic. Charlie has one. I have one. And my girls each have one, too. Though, right now Lottie and Jas are too young to be taught how to use their shields. For them it's an automatic response when they're frightened. I, however, have been training with Eleazar and my dad for years.

I am not the weak, pathetic little human they abandoned seventeen years ago!

I am a mother.

And you don't fuck with a mother protecting her babies!

"Yes." I answered Audrey's question. "We used to know each other. A long time ago. Before vampire's revealed themselves to the world."

Audrey nodded.

"This is your house?" I asked, looking between Carlisle and Esme.

"Yes." Carlisle answered.

I nodded.

Well then, my decision was made for me. No way in hell was I going to buy a home that used to belong to my ex-boyfriend, his family, and my mate. Who the hell knows what their motives are!

But I wouldn't be rude, either. "Shall we?" I turned to Audrey.

She nodded and turned to lead me further into the house to start our tour.

"Wait!"

I turned back to face the Coven.

Rosalie stepped froward, her butterscotch eyes on my daughters, who were both clinging to me, hiding behind my legs. "We'll watch the little ones while you look at the house."

Maybe I'm being overly sensitive. But, to me, that didn't sound like an offer to help, more like a demand. There was something . . . sinister. The look in her eye . . . The hypnotic sound of her voice as she tried to dazzle me into complying.

"Rose," Emmett hissed towards his wife.

Then again, maybe I'm not being overly sensitive.

Shocking me, Rosalie spun around to face Emmett and hissed menacingly.

"Yes!" Alice shot forward. Her eyes lit up like strobe lights gleaming at my girls. "I've seen it. Rose and I will take care of the children while Bella looks at the house. I already know you're going to love it! Esme's made it so beautiful for you! And you and Carlisle will work out a payment plan."

Payment plan?

What the fuck?

Did she think I couldn't afford this house?

It didn't help my anger when Jas shifted closer to me. "Momma, don't like it." She whimpered, squeezing my hand.

Lottie let out a little hiss, baring her tiny white teeth as Alice tried to come closer to her.

My girls aren't usually shy. Lottie is the more dominant of the two while Jas prefers to take a backseat to whatever her sister's up to. We don't meet many strangers, preferring to stick close to home and our family. But when we do meet new people, the girls tend to stay close to me, dad, or Vic.

Never, not once, have I heard Lottie hiss! She's never bared her teeth or been openly hostile towards anyone. Ever. I didn't even know she'd developed those instincts yet!

"Carlisle!" Alice whined. "I've seen it! Rose and I will look after the twins while Bella looks at the house with you and Esme."

"Quite frankly, Miss. Cullen, I don't give a flying fig what you've seen." I stated, lifting Jas up when she tugged on my arm. "It's not happening. My children stay with me. And just so we're clear, I do not now, nor will I ever need your charity. If I couldn't afford this house, I wouldn't be looking at it."

"Bella, be reasonable . . ." Carlisle began.

I turned to look back at him. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Cullen. I didn't realize I was being so unreasonable. Here, why don't I leave my young children with seven strangers. What a great idea!" I leaned forward to mock whisper. "If you couldn't tell, that was sarcasm!"

"We aren't strangers, dear." Esme tried.

"Yeah, you know, you're right." I nodded. "You're not strangers. You're worse. You're the vampires who called a young, naive, insecure teen family. You brought me into your home. You made me feel welcome. Wanted. Loved. You call me your daughter. Your sister. Your best friend. Your True Mate."

Behind me, Audrey gasped.

"Then you abandon me without a word." I hissed. "And seventeen years later, you show up demanding I leave my children with you . . ."

Alice crossed her arms over her chest and sneered. "Except those children aren't yours, are they?"

I smiled sweetly. "Actually, they are. All mine. And nobody else's. I am the one who carried them. I gave birth to them. My body nourished them. I am the one who's raising them and loves them. I am their sole parent because their father gave up all his parental rights before they were conceived."

"But you're right about one thing." I continued to smile sweetly. "Having children does require two participants. So, while they may be mine—and only mine—they do carry the DNA of their father." My eyes shifted to Jasper. "Even if he is unaware of what's been done in his name."

I looked back to Alice, who's eyes were wide and shocked.

Huh.

Was she under the impression I didn't know the truth? Or was she hoping I hadn't figured it out? Surely, she knew The Agency had informed me about my mate. Or did she really take me for an idiot?

My guess, it's the latter.

Suddenly, she let out an ear-piercing shriek. "No!" She spun around to face the Coven. "I've just had a vision! Jasper! You have to go. Right now! Hurry. One of Bella's children is going to fall over and bleed and you'll kill her!"

"What!" Rosalie cried. "Jasper, get out of here! Now!"

"If you hurt my mate again, I'll kill you!" Edward snarled.

"C'mon dude, let's getcha fed." Emmett said gently.

"Are they blithering idiots?" Audrey asked me, looking between the Cullen's who were trying to usher Jasper out of the room, while his eyes were playing ping pong between my bloated belly and the twins.

"Excuse me!" Carlisle snapped, haughtily. "I don't believe that's any way to speak to your clients!"

"You're not my client, Mr. Cullen. Miss. Swan is my client." Audrey smiled kindly. "And I'm going to advise she not to buy your house. I understand now why you were all so interested in meeting her. I wouldn't be surprised if you had no intention of selling this house to her, and if you did, I'd have to insist she gets all the locks and windows replaced before moving in, not that I believe that'll stop this one," she tilted her head towards Edward, "from breaking in to get to his Singer. Which Bella obviously is by the way I can see him humping the air and drooling all over himself."

Yep. Edward looked like he was hanging on by a thread, ready to snap and lunge for me. His eyes were locked on my throat. His hips subtly humping the air, a prominent bulge pressed against the zipper of his trousers.

"If anyone here is at risk of losing control, Mr. Cullen, I'd say it's your son." Audrey stated, her nose turning up at the sight of him, "I doubt her mate would ever harm her or their children."

"Mate!?" Emmett roared, spinning around to face me and Audrey. As soon as she'd spoken the magic word, Emmett released Jasper's arm and stopped trying to pull him from the room.

"I'm surprised none of you can smell his scent inside of her. She's obviously carrying his child. And from their scent, Charlotte and Jasmine are his, too. Their scent is the perfect mixture of their parents."

Ah, dear, sweet Audrey.

"Jasmine." Jasper whispered. He looked so stunned and overwhelmed.

I nodded. "Charlotte Victoria and Jasmine Beatrice."

"I Lottie." She said happily, looking up at Jasper. "And dis is my sistor Jas."

Very slowly and with more caution that I expected, as if he didn't want to startle us, Jasper lowered himself to the floor so that he was crouched in front of the girls.

"My name is Jazz, too." He said softly, looking between the two girls with so much wonder and happiness in his golden eyes. "And I have a sister named Charlotte."

Lottie gasped. "Dats like me!" She looked back at me. "Momma did you hear, Daddy has a sister named Charlotte, just like my name!"

"I heard," I smiled.

"H-How did she know?" Jasper asked, his eyes wide. "That I'm . . ." He looked at me and then back at her. "Am I . . . their . . ."

"Yes. You're their father." I confirmed. No point keeping it from him. By the looks of it, the poor idiots been through enough.

"How did she know?" He whispered, his eyes on Lottie as she played with his hand, gently tracing the bite mark between his thumb and index finger.

I shrugged. "They're gifted."

Carlisle stepped forward then, his eyes bright. "What gift does she possess?" He demanded, then looked down at my daughter. "What is your gift, child?"

"Mommy said we not supposed to talk to strangers." Jas told him, grabbing her sister's hand.

"We aren't strangers, sweetheart. I'm your grandma. And this is your grandpa." Esme cooed.

Is she for real?

"Nuh uh. I don't think so." Lottie shook her head.

Jas looked up at me and then to Jasper. "Is she right, Daddy?"

Before Jasper could answer, my little nudger decided to make her presence known and gave a solid kick to my kidneys.

I gasped and then cringed.

"Bella!" Audrey was at my side in an instant as Jasper let out a low, fierce snarl. I was a bit too preoccupied to see what he was doing. My focus was mainly on not peeing my pants.

"I'm fine." I gasped. "This one's a kicker."

Audrey laughed happily and gently patted my beachball sized bump. "Do you know what you're having yet?" She asked, leading me out of the house. We were done here.

"We havin' another sistor." Lottie announced happily.

"That's right, bumpkin." I smiled as Jas took hold of my free hand and skipped along beside me.

"She gonna come for Christmuff!" Lottie insisted.

"Not for Christmas." I told her. "End of February."

"Nuh-uh." Lottie shook her head. "Christmuff." She insisted.

Oh hell.

As well as their shields, my girls had other gifts. Jas, much like her father, was empathic. But Lottie's gift was a little different. I'm not sure if she's psychic or clairvoyant, maybe. She seems to spout knowledge she couldn't possibly know.

So, when she told me my little nudger was going to come for Christmas, I believed her. Which meant, I'd have to revise my birth plans.

We said our goodbyes to Audrey, deciding we'd meet up next week to look at the other houses she'd found. They were all smaller and more my style than this monstrosity.

Audrey understood completely. I couldn't live here. It would never feel like mine. I'd always be waiting for the other shoe to drop or one of them to show up uninvited.

As I put the girls in the car, there was a lot of snarling and yelling coming from inside the house. I wasn't sure what was going on, nor did I plan to find out. Jas was shaking and cowering in her car seat, and Lottie was trying to twist around to see out the back window.

I was halfway down the driveway when Alice was thrown out of the front window and landed where my car had just been parked.

Damn.

That was lucky.

"Okay girls, I think it's time we head home." I said, pressing my foot to the gas.

Dad and Vicky are going to be pissed when I tell them about this!

It did make me feel a little better knowing Jasper hadn't rejected the girls. None of this was his doing. The poor idiot was completely blindsided when we walked into that house.

I wonder what Alice's plan was. Did she really think he wouldn't catch the scent of his own offspring? How was she going to explain that?

To be honest, I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answers anymore. Whatever's coming next, the ball, as they say, is in his court. I'm not about to go crawling back.

Been there. Done that.

If he wants us, he'll find us.

As I drove away, the pain in my heart flared. I did my best to ignore it, but it seemed so much worse than it had been seventeen years ago. Or, was it just because I wasn't used to it anymore?

I don't know.

I'm not sure of anything anymore!