BPOV
As much as I wanted to tell Edward he was wrong, that Jake just wanted to be my friend and nothing more, I had to admit I felt something strange in Jacob.
During and immediately after the trial, he and Leah had practically joined at the hip, and it gave me hope that he was on the path towards starting a life of his own. But, from what I understood from Sue, nothing really happened between Jake and Leah.
My step mom came out to visit me and the kids for the day, and as we made lunch I asked her about what she thought might be wrong with Jake.
"Oh Bella, I'm not sure exactly what Jacob's problem is," she responded with a weak laugh. "He's always been a bit strange."
"But this is getting beyond strange, Sue," I said as I began cutting the crusts off of Owen's sandwich. "He's 26, and yet he's never really been in a serious relationship. Except for that short time we spent together, I've never heard of him having a girlfriend."
"You know what I think he needs?" Sue began, "I think he should get out of Forks. Look at what that did for you; Jake should follow your example and try to find a new life in a bigger city."
"But, what about his business?" I countered. "He makes a lot of money doing what he does in Forks, because he's pretty much the only mechanic around—there are tons of mechanics in bigger cities."
"I think he'd still survive; if nothing else, that's something Jake is very adept at doing—being self-sufficient."
I nodded softly, he did know how to take care of himself. And, if he did move to Seattle, I could start introducing him to people I know and he would be forced to become a more social creature.
I set the food on the table for the kids and turned to Sue, my hands rubbing my belly gently.
"How do I go about bringing this up with him, though?"
"You don't have to do anything, dear," she replied. "Let me and your father talk to Billy and see what he thinks."
I nodded.
"But," she continued, "If Jacob does ask you what you think of this whole situation, you'll just say you think it would be good for him to move to a bigger city."
"Yeah...yeah, I'll do that," I replied.
"Who's moving to a bigger city, Momma?" Aina asked, holding a drinking glass up for me to refill.
"No one yet, sweetie," I said as I took her cup and poured more juice into it. "We're just talking about Uncle Jake."
"Uncle Jake's moving?" Keely cried as she came running in from dining area. "Where? He can't move away, Momma, I'll miss him so much!"
"He's not moving away, sweetie. Grandma Sue and I are thinking he should move to Seattle."
"REALLY?!" Keely and Aina squealed.
"Maybe," I amended, "But until we know for sure, we have to keep quiet about it—promise?"
"We promise, Momma," they replied.
The twins walked back to finish their lunches. I turned to Sue who was giving me a confused look.
"Why do they have to be quiet about it?" She asked.
"Jake's kind of a sore subject around here," I replied.
"You mean with Edward?"
I nodded.
"Oh Bella, he can't be jealous of Jake! No one has a hold of your heart but your husband—everybody knows that!"
"Yes, he knows that," I said. "It's more about Jake himself. Edward thinks Jake is trying to, as he put it, 'weasel his way into our family.'"
"What do you think?"
"Honestly, I don't know," I admitted. "He's very close with the kids, but that doesn't mean he's trying to weasel his way in, does it?"
Sue shook her head.
"That's what I think, too," I said. "But, I don't see things from Edward's perspective, and he is a very perceptive person."
"Well, sit him down and tell him the plan," Sue said. "He's probably going to be thrilled that Jake's getting a little push towards getting a life."
"True," I replied.
We put Owen and Alys down for a nap after lunch, and Sue helped put a few decorations around the twins' room while Keely and Aina gave her explicit instructions on what they wanted the room to look like.
"Grandma," Aina said. "Can you put this above my bed?"
It was a painting of a group of ballerina's that my mother gave to me when I was a little girl. Sue hung it up with care and turned to Aina, "How's that, baby?"
"Perfect!" Aina replied, clapping her hands in delight.
"Momma," Keely said as she ran over to me, "Who's going to paint the fairies on my walls?"
"Don't worry, sweetie, Aunt Alice said she's coming by to do that this weekend."
Tonight would be the first night the twins get to spend in their new room. Edward, Emmett and Jasper had moved all of their stuff downstairs the other day, and now were beginning work on the twins' old room—making it ready for the new babies.
"Momma," Aina began as she sat in my lap, "When do the babies get here?"
"Not until December, sweetheart."
"So, they'll be like our Christmas present?" Keely asked.
Sue and I laughed.
"Yeah, something like that," I agreed.
"Good, because that's all we want for Christmas," Keely said.
"Oh really?" I asked skeptically. "No toys or anything else?"
"No," the twins replied.
"You hear that, Grandma? These kids don't want toys for Christmas," I said in mock amazement.
"I heard that," she replied as she sat down on the floor with us, "Looks like Santa has to take back all those presents he bought for you two and give them to kids who really want them."
"NO!" They both replied as Sue and I laughed hysterically.
EPOV
Today had been a particularly hectic day at work, so I was beyond grateful to see my family all gathered around the kitchen table when I got home. Although, it made me nervous that Bella still did so much, she was about seven months pregnant now, and she still found the time to make a big dinner after watching the kids all day.
As I sat down for dinner, I looked up at Bella at the other end of the table, "Sweetie, I think we could use some help around here."
"What do you mean? We have everything under control."
"I don't like the idea of you continuing to be so active when the twins are due in a couple months," I replied. "Plus, six children are going to be a lot to look after. Maybe we should get a nanny."
"No," she said firmly. "I don't want anyone else watching after my children, I'm their mother."
"Bella, don't be stubborn. A nanny would be a great help to us."
"What's a nanny, Daddy?" Aina asked.
"She would be a lady who comes and helps Mommy and I come take care of you."
"Does it have to be a lady?" Keely asked.
"Well...no, it just usually is a woman, sweetie."
"Why can't Uncle Jake do it?" She asked.
I tensed up at his name, but quickly relaxed with a sigh, "He has a job, sweetie. Plus, he lives in Forks; I don't think he'd want to move out to Seattle."
I noticed the girls look at Bella quizzically, but she gave them a quick shake of the head and they returned to their dinners. Something was up.
I cleared the table with the help of the twins—one of the chores bestowed upon them now that they were old enough—before walking into the living room to play a game with the family.
Once we put the children to bed, I took Bella by the hand and led her into our room.
"What's up?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" She feigned ignorance.
I sighed, "I'm not stupid, Bella, I saw that look you gave the girls when we were talking about Jacob. Something is up."
She sat on the bed and patted the place next to her, indicating I should sit.
"Sue and I were discussing him earlier," she began. "And she thinks his problem—the reason he can't seem to find a relationship—is because he never gets out of Forks or La Push. Sue and my dad are going to talk to Billy and see if he can't talk him into moving to...Seattle."
"No," I countered. "I don't want him moving here."
"Edward, there are more than two million women in the metro area," she argued. "He's bound to find one he can fall in love with."
"Or, he'll just find more excuses to be around you and the kids."
"We won't let that happen," she said. "We'll be stricter with his visits here—we'll only invite him around when there's other company."
"And when he shows up uninvited?" I countered.
"Then I'll ask him to drop by when it's more convenient for us," she replied – I gave her a dubious look, "I swear! It's tough love from here on out."
I sighed and ran my right hand down my face slowly. Bella leaned over and wrapped her arms around my waist, "This is going to be a good thing, I promise."
"OK," I said, grudgingly. "But, there's no way he's going to be the kids' nanny."
"You're right," Bella said, "Because we're not getting one."
I turned to her and took her face in my hands, "I'm agreeing to the whole Jacob thing, so you must compromise and at least talk to some potential candidates."
Her brown eyes softened and she nodded gently, "Fine."
I kissed her forehead and smiled, "See, that wasn't so hard, was it?"
BPOV
The more I thought about it, the more I realized Edward was right—I could use some help. I mean, I've been blessed so far with amazingly well-behaved children, but I don't think event that could get me through dealing with six kids.
I dropped the kids off at Rosalie's and then went to a local agency and talked with one of the staff about the kind of help I was looking for. I wanted someone who could come by and help the twins get to school in the morning and then help me with Owen and Alys after the new babies arrived. I also needed someone who could cook and help with light housework.
Once I had my information in the system, I was given a choice of three applicants who fit my criteria. I set up interviews with them for the next day.
I went back to my sister-in-law's house and she sat me down for a little chat while the children watched a movie.
"So, find some good prospects?" She asked over her cup of coffee.
"I think so; they are all experienced with a wide variety of kids and can cook and clean if needed."
She nodded, "Do you want a live-in nanny?"
"No," I replied, shaking my head lightly, "We still want our privacy. Plus, Edward's home every night at 5, anyway, so we've got dinner and everything else covered."
"When are the interviews?"
"Tomorrow," I said.
"Are you going to bring the kids back by here?"
"No," I replied. "I'll keep them with me during the interviews, actually. I mean, these nannies have to prove they can tolerate kids, right? Why not make them prove that up front?"
"Oooo, sneaky, Bells!" Rose laughed.
The next day, I got the kids up and ready before the first interviewee showed up at 10 a.m. Her name was Sarah, and she was an older lady – I'd say about 50 years old. She sat on the couch looking a bit uncomfortable as the twins sat on either side of me and Owen and Alys played on the floor.
She seemed nice enough when answering questions, but balked when Owen picked up one of his blocks and handed it to her – wanting her to play with him. She simply raised an eyebrow at him and shook her head slightly at his offer.
OK, strike one. Hopefully the next candidate would be a vast improvement.
Much to my surprise, it was a familiar face that showed up at my doorstep. Jessica Stanley, my fellow, former Sigma Kappa, stood there and stared at me in disbelief as I led her into my home. I couldn't believe the name didn't ring a bell before.
"Hello Jessica, it's nice to see you again," I said.
"H-h-hi," she stuttered. "How have you been, Bella?"
"Excellent," I replied, "How about you?"
"I've been better," she admitted.
We sat in the living room and she gaped at my children briefly before focusing back on my questions. She seemed very courteous and professional in her answers, though she didn't have the kind of experience I was hoping for. Once I had finished with my questions, I asked if she had any of her own.
"Um," she began, "I think you've explained everything pretty well. It's just…I was wondering…oh, nevermind."
"It's OK, Jessica, you can ask me anything."
She looked up sheepishly, "Well, how do you do it?"
"Do what?"
She looked around and gave a little laugh, "How do you raise four – almost six children, keep this house looking amazing, keep yourself looking great and keep your sanity?"
I laughed, "I've been blessed. Ever since I met Edward, each new milestone has seemed like more of a miracle than the next. If I were to ever become to stressed, or complain about anything, I think I'd seem like the most ungrateful woman in the world."
She stared at me, open-mouthed, as Keely and Aina giggled softly beside me. I shushed them both gently before turning back to Jessica, who had yet to blink. She finally stuttered back to life and we wrapped up our interview.
She left and I turned to the kids, "What did you kids think of her?"
Aina shrugged and Keely gave me a thumbs down while Owen and Alys just stared at me in bewilderment. I laughed and took out the information on the last candidate, "Well, we have one more person to see. So, let's hope this lady is the one, OK?"
"I say we call Uncle Jake," Keely state, putting her hands on her hips.
I sighed and shook my head, "Uncle Jake isn't going to give up his job to be a nanny."
"How do you know? Did you ask him?"
"Keely," I warned, "Don't start, please."
The last candidate showed up a bit later – her name was Elizabeth Smith, and she seemed like the best of the bunch. That's why I saved her for last.
I opened the door, and there stood a short, young woman with very short, strawberry-blond hair. She seemed to be a bit younger than me, which made me a little nervous. But, she had an aura of friendliness about her that put me at ease. She shook my hand as I let her inside and she introduced herself to the kids before I had a chance to.
"Hi guys! I'm Lizzie," she said as she crouched down to the twins' level, "What are your names?"
"Aina and Keely," they said in unison.
"The one in pink is Aina and the one in purple is Keely," I explained. "That's their standard uniform."
"I love both of those colors," she replied genuinely.
We went into the living room and Owen stood up and walked over to us, "This is Owen. He's about to get two little brothers, aren't you, little man?"
"Brothers!" He yelled in delight as he placed a hand on my belly.
We all sat on the couch to begin, when Alys stood up and walked over to Lizzie. She reached her arms up to Lizzie, who pulled Alys into her lap. As I interviewed Lizzie, she bounced Alys gently on her knee. I smiled inwardly, I had had a feeling about this one – and I'm glad I'm right.
After the interview, Lizzie looked around the house and sighed, "This feels like the house I grew up in. I'm the oldest of five kids, myself, and I helped bring up my little brothers and sisters with my mom – my dad was in the military, so he couldn't be around as often as he wanted to be."
I gave her a sympathetic smile as we finished our questions and comments. I led Lizzie to the door and stopped as I handed her coat to her. "This job is yours, if you'll have it, Lizzie."
"Really?" She asked excitedly.
I nodded and she threw her arms around me with a squeal, "Thank you, Mrs. Cullen! I promise I will take good care of the kids!"
"It's Bella," I said. "Could you come by tonight for dinner and meet my husband?"
"Of course, what time?"
"We eat at 5 p.m.," I said.
"I'll be here!"
EPOV
I walked in to find a strange feeling surging throughout the house – there was an air of excitement. I walked into the kitchen to find Bella and the twins setting the table for dinner. And, there was a woman I didn't recognize checking something in the oven.
"It's almost done!" The woman said.
"Yay!" The twins yelled as they ran to the oven and danced around the strange woman.
Bella noticed me standing in the doorway, "Edward! You're home!"
She wrapped her arms around my neck and planted a kiss on my lips as the twins ran over to me. Alys was already in her high chair and Owen jumped out of his chair at the table and waddled over to me.
"This is Lizzie," Bella said, motioning to the young woman who turned to me with a big, sweet smile. "She's the new nanny."
"Wow, you picked someone already?" I asked in delighted surprise. "That was quick."
"I had a feeling about Lizzie," she replied.
"Nice to meet you, Lizzie," I said, shaking her hand.
"The pleasure's all mine, Dr. Cullen," Lizzie said.
"Edward," I corrected happily. "And we're so grateful to have you with us."
We sat down and ate a delicious, home-made, barbeque chicken pizza that Lizzie made. I had a feeling she was going to work out just fine.