This would have been out sooner, but I had to go find a magenta corset for my friend's wedding (thanks Victoria's Secret!)

And I got awesome shoes for 4 at Charlotte Russe, so all in all a great day :-)

Saturday afternoon

EPOV

The past few days have been excruciating, waiting for tonight and what could happen if things go wrong. Jacob and Tim have been at our house with members of the surveillance team since this morning.

"So, what happens if he comes by tonight?" Bella asked.

"I've been thinking we need to send you to a safe location," Tim responded. "Your father still lives in Forks, is that right?"

"Yes, but James knows where he lives," I said.

"Don't worry, we're going to make him think you're still here," Tim said. "If James comes by and tries to break in, we've got him."

"And if he doesn't?" I asked.

"Then we'll keep you all out of his reach until he makes his move. We have him monitored 24/7, so we'll know when he's up to something."

"So, I guess we need to get some things and be on our way," Bella said as she turned to get the kids ready.

"And I'll be coming with you," Jacob said. "Along with some other surveillance guys – can't leave you guys completely out in the open."

We got the kids ready and the bags packed and headed out to Forks with Jacob and two other guys – Derek and Anthony – in the truck behind us. The whole cavalcade arrived at Charlie and Sue's house before dark and the kids were all ecstatic to see their grandpa.

"There are my little ones," Charlie called as Bella and I took the kids out of their car seats.

Sue walked out and Aina immediately ran to her grandma.

"Hello, my pretty Aina," Sue laughed as she pulled my daughter into a hug. "How are you?"

"Good," Aina replied as she hugged Sue close to her.

"So, what's going on back in Seattle?" Charlie asked.
"We're not sure right now," I said. "They're going to keep us updated. They have a guy tailing James and he'll follow him to the hotel tonight and see where he goes from there. They think James will probably head back to our house and try to break in – so they're preparing for that."

Just as I finished explaining what we knew so far when a gigantic jeep came tearing down the road. I recognized it immediately as Emmett's. He pulled up behind Jacob's truck and jumped out with Rosalie not far behind.

"We came as soon as we heard," Emmett said.

"Where are Ethan and Madeline?" Bella asked.

"We left them with Jasper and Alice," Rose said. "They said they're going to head over to Carlisle and Esme's house."

"Damn!" I said, suddenly realizing my big mistake. "I didn't have Tim send any surveillance guys to my Mom and Dad's."

"It's OK, Edward," Jacob said. "If James tries to head their way, Tim and the guys will take care of it."

"Everybody come inside and have some cake," Sue said as she turned towards the door. "I made a lemon sponge cake."

"Mmmm, cake!" Emmett said, following close after Sue.

BPOV

I held Owen close to me on Dad's couch all night until he fell asleep in my arms. Edward was reclining back in a La-Z-Boy with Alys asleep against his chest while the twins were snuggled close to Dad and Sue on the loveseat.

While I love this sight more than anything in the world – my children, husband and parents all cuddled together in the home where I grew up – I couldn't help but worry. Would James come here once he found out I wasn't in Seattle anymore? What if Tim and the team couldn't protect us like they thought?

Could James be able to find his way past all of our security? He couldn't! Not in a million years! I mean, stuff like that only happens in movies, right?

I stood slowly and smiled as I passed Edward to put Owen to bed, "Honey, it's time for the little ones to go to bed."

He was on the verge of sleeping himself when my voice brought him back to reality.

"OK, Bells," he replied sleepily.

We walked Owen and Alys up to the nursery and put them down in their cribs. I stood over them and watched my babies sleep as Edward set his hands on my shoulders.

"Everything is going to be fine," he whispered in my ear. "Nothing is every going to happen our children – I won't let it."

I nodded silently; I felt his lips caress the back of my neck softly and I leaned back into him. His arms wrapped around me as I took a deep breath and sighed. He was right, there was no way either of us would let James harm our children.

We walked out of the nursery and returned to find our twins on the verge of sleep as well.

"I think it's time to get these little sleepyheads to bed," Dad said.

"No…we're not slee…" Keely began to whine but she couldn't finish.

"Come on angels," Sue said as she and Dad took the girls into the downstairs study, which had been turned into a guest room.

Rose was sitting on the couch I had vacated. Emmett walked in from the kitchen with what must have been his seventh piece of cake.

"Oh...if you guys want anymore cake there's still a piece you can share," he said as he sat next to Rosalie, who rolled her eyes and sighed.

Edward sat in the loveseat and pulled me into his lap. I snuggled close to his chest and sighed contentedly as he stroked my hair and hummed to me. I was so at ease that I hadn't noticed I had dozed off until Edward shook me gently, "Angel, it's 11:30; Tim should be calling us any time now."

I sat up and rubbed my eyes – I fought back the previous doubt and fear that threatened to rear its ugly head again. Sue and Rosalie had gone to bed, so it was me, Edward, Emmett and Dad waiting to hear what was happening three hours away in Seattle.

We were watching some late night talk show when Edward's cell phone started ringing. He jumped up to answer it as I sat nervously on the couch, hoping to god it was Tim saying he caught James.

"Hello," Edward began, "Yes Tim…what happened? I see…so, we should just stay here and wait until you call again? I guess that's the best we can do. No, I understand…thank you for what you're doing for my family. Good bye."

He flipped his phone shut, "Tim said James just went back to his house after he left the hotel. So, we'll need to lay low until the coast is clear. Charlie, I don't suppose we can trespass on your hospitality a little bit longer, could we?"

"Are you kidding? You mean I get my baby girl and her babies in my house for more than a few days?" Dad asked. "I couldn't think of anything I'd love more"

Edward smiled and sat down next to me, but I was far from calm. I sat on the end of the couch, tense and shaking.

"I don't like this," I said. "This isn't good – this means he's plotting something big, I can feel it."

"Bells chill!" Emmett said. "Stop stressing, the cops are on top of this. Plus, I'll stay here with you as long as you need me to. So will Dad, and Jacob, I'm sure."

"He's right, love," Edward replied, rubbing my shoulders. "Let's just relax, nothing is going to happen."

Just as I sat back and tried to let my husband soothe me, the lights and the TV went out.

It was worse than I feared.

EPOV

I jumped off the couch again and ran towards the front of the house in time to see Jacob storming his way through the door.

"What the hell just happened?" I hissed, not wanting to wake my children by screaming.

"I don't know," Jake replied. "We were coming in to make sure you're all OK."

"There are only two of you – where's that Derek guy?"

Jacob looked around as if he hadn't even noticed Derek was missing, "Anthony, where'd Derek go?"

"He said he was checking around the back of the house," Anthony said.

"Hey, what's all the commotion?" It was Derek coming from the north side of the house.

"Where the hell did you go? You're supposed to be protecting my family," I hissed at him.

"Calm down, Mr. Cullen," he replied, trying to placate me. "I was just making sure everything was cool around back."

"Yeah? And now all the powers out inside," Charlie said as he joined us outside with Emmett close behind. "What, did you trip over a wire or something?"

"No sir," Derek said quietly.

"Well, I'm gonna go see," Charlie said as he eyed Derek suspiciously.

Emmett followed as they went around back. I stood out there glaring at Derek as well – he acted like he was up to something. Jacob was on the phone with the local power company to ensure it wasn't a power failure, so I waited near his truck to hear the results. Charlie and Emmett reappeared then.

"Someone was monkeying with the fuse box," Charlie said.

My eyes scanned for Derek again, but he had mysteriously disappeared. I whipped around and noticed that the once open front door was also mysteriously closed. I ran to it to find it locked – I knocked on the door.

"Bella! Sue! The door's locked," I called.

But I received no answer. I pounded on the door again until we all heard a smash followed by a scream. I was joined by Emmett and Charlie as we all tried to beat the door down.

BPOV

I sat in the dark and tried to calm myself. This was just a mistake – a power failure or something. It had nothing to do with James at all – nothing! I got up to check on the twins when I felt a pair of hands wrap around me. One of the hands was over my mouth before I had a chance to scream.

"Mrs. Cullen, you missed our appointment," that evil voice whispered in my ear. "Now, I really didn't want to have to do this at your father's house, with your children present, but you've left me with no choice."

I went to take a swing at him, but he blocked my shot and slapped me hard across the face. I staggered back into the door of the guest room, and realized where I was. I didn't want to lead him to any of my children, so I tried to run towards the kitchen to throw him off their scent.

But he stopped me again and had both of my hands behind my back with one hand, the other back over my mouth.

"Stop struggling, Bella," he warned. "You're only making this harder on yourself."

I felt another presence behind me as a pair of handcuffs was put on my wrists.

"There are two other women here," James told the man, who refused to show his face to me. "Go find them and tie them up."

"Leave my children alone," I cried as sobs began to hit my body.

My worst nightmare was coming true – he had found a way to get to me, and now I could only pray that any moment, Edward would be bursting through the door to save me. I've never wanted his help in dealing with James before; and now when I finally want it – finally need it – he's stuck just outside.

James put a strip of duct tape over my mouth before he grabbed my face and brought it close to his.

"I won't touch your children if you just give me what I want," he hissed as he pushed me back into the living room.

My eyes had finally adjusted to the light, and I could see there were actually four other men in the house with James – Derek, much to my surprise and contempt, was one of those men. They were barricading the doors and putting up boards in front of the downstairs windows.

James was going through a lot of trouble for this, and it made me sick to my stomach.

I sat back on the couch and waited for the inevitable – unless by some miracle, Edward can break down those barricades and get to me, James was going to have his way.

Suddenly, I heard a crash resonate throughout the house and a shriek that sounded like Rosalie. James immediately ran up the stairs to check on what was up. When he was up the stairs, I heard a sound that made my heartbeat hit cardiac arrest speeds – the door to the downstairs guestroom being opened.

Aina stuck her head out and looked at me, "Mommy, what's going on?"

I shook my head at her and stood up to push her back inside the room.

"Mommy," Keely said as she joined her sister in the doorway, "Why is there tape on your mouth?"

I looked to make sure James was still upstairs before leaning down so one of the girls could pull the tape off. Aina slowly pulled the duct tape away so I could speak.

"I want you girls to stay in the room and stay quiet until I come and get you, OK?"

"What's going on?" Keely asked. "Why is someone screaming?"

"I'll tell you late, I promise; for now, I just need you two to hide. Please, do it for Mommy."

"Yes Mommy," they said in unison.

"Aina, put the tape back on Mommy's mouth, OK?"

She covered my mouth again and closed the door as I made my way back to the couch. I heard what sounded like a slap and a muffled scream.

"Stupid bitch!!" A man yelled from upstairs.

I stood up – I couldn't just sit here while they were smacking my sister around. I struggled against the handcuffs until I saw the light from the moon streaking through the window hit something shiny on the floor – the cuff keys must have fallen out of someone's pocket. I lowered myself to the floor and grabbed the keys and, after a couple of tries, got one of the cuffs off. Then I quickly got the other one off before I heard James' voice coming down the hallway.

I went to Dad's closet and hid. Inside, I found his golf clubs – I grabbed a 9-iron and held it tight, just waiting for someone to open the door to look for me.

"Jesus Christ on a crutch! I can't even trust you idiots to handle one blond, bitch!" James yelled as he got closer to the door.

I held my breath as I heard him stop in the living room.

"For the love of…where the hell did she go?"

I prayed he would come for me, but to my horror, I heard him walk in the direction of the guest room. I quietly got out of the closet in time to see him reaching for the handle. I ran and swung the iron with all my might, making contact with the back of his head.

A grunt escaped his mouth as he fell to the floor with a thud. I hit him one more time in the head just to make sure he was unconscious before heading to the stairs.

I checked in on Alys and Owen, making sure they were still asleep, before crossing the hall to find Derek standing in front of Rosalie – who was sitting on the bed with her mouth taped. Her eyes widened a bit when she saw me, but she managed to keep silent as I snuck up on the Judas former protector.

I was calmer this time when I cracked Derek in the back of the skull with the 9-iron. The big, dumb idiot dropped just as easily as James had, though. Once he was down, I used the keys to get Rosalie out of the cuffs.

"Wait, aren't there two other guys?" I asked quietly.

"Yeah," she whispered back, "They must be with Sue or something."

We tiptoed down to the master bedroom and heard banging and pounding on the front day – Edward, Emmett and Dad must be trying to get in.

"You go let them in and I'll check on Sue," I whispered.

"No," Rose said. "Let's let the boys take care of them."

I shook my head, "I'm not leaving my mom with them."

Rose sighed but nodded and walked downstairs. The door to my parents' room was open so I peeked in to see the two guys at the window, laughing quietly at everyone who was outside trying to get in. Sue was on the bed, her hands bound and tape over her mouth. She was lying on her side, facing me, so I gestured for her to keep quiet as I approached her.

I unlocked one of the cuffs, but the snick of the lock caught the guards' attention. They turned and I stood ready with the iron as they came for us. I swung and hit one of the guys in the head, but the other managed to grab me around my arms and knocked the iron out of my hand.

He picked me up and swung me around as I struggled against his grasp.

"Stop struggling, bitch!" He yelled.

Suddenly, I heard a crash and the guy dropped my. I turned to see broken shards of lamp on the floor and a gash in the back of the guy's head. Sue was standing over both of us with a wild look in her eyes.

"Come on, Bells, let's get out of here."

As we fled the room, we ran into Edward in the hallway.

"Are you two OK?" He asked.

"We're fine," Sue said, "Are the kids OK?"

"Alys and Owen are fine," Dad said as he walked from the other end of the hall.

"What about the twins?" Edward asked as he ran downstairs.

I followed him, but we stopped in our tracks just behind Emmett and Rose who were staring at towards the guestroom door. Once I looked in that direction, but heart fell into my stomach – James had Aina in his grasp with a knife to her throat.

"Let her go, you son of a bitch!!" Edward yelled.

"Shhhh – such naughty language in front of your daughter Eddie!" James chided as he pulled Aina up to whisper in her ear. "Tell Daddy to stop swearing, Keely."

My little girl had her hands around James' wrist to keep the knife at bay. She got a mischievous look in her eye before winking at me.

"My. Name. Is. AINA!!" She shrieked before rearing her foot back into his crotch.

She pushed his hand away and the knife dropped out of it as he fell to his knees. Emmett jumped on James as Edward pulled Aina out of the way and practically threw her into my arms.

"Are you OK, baby?" I asked.

"I'm fine, Mommy," she replied as she held onto my neck. "Did I get the bad guy?"

"You sure did," I said as I hugged her even tighter. "You got him good."

Emmett let Edward pummel James a few times before handing him over to the police. Anthony read him his rights, and cuffed him to put him in Jacob's truck with the rest of his cronies. I put the twins back to bed before running back upstairs to check on Alys and Owen again.

I stood over their cribs and smiled as a tear trailed down my cheek.

"My two little angels can sleep through anything, can't you?" I whispered.

Owen stirred and opened one eye to look at me, "Mommy?"

"Yes baby?" I replied as I brushed his hair back softly.

"Get up now?"

"Not now, go back to sleep, little man."

"No," he whined softly.

I sang to him gently and trailed my fingers over his face – he was back to sleep in no time. I turned back to the door to find Edward leading against the door jam smiling at me.

"It's over," He whispered as he wrapped his arms around me.

I nodded and kissed him gently before we walked back out and closed the door silently behind us.

I know you're wondering how James knew about the sting operation. I'll explain all in the next chapter.