I've got my tickets for the midnight showing of Twilight. All of my peeps in the north Denver or Boulder area can join me out at the Westminster Promenade tomorrow night! I'd love to see some of you there.

BPOV

Early October

OK, I do have to confess that I had an ulterior motive in hiring Lizzie—I think she would be the perfect girl for Jacob. She is kind, funny and she really loves kids. I think Jake will be pretty smitten once he meets her.

The only obstacle is getting them together. And just when I thought that meeting would be almost impossible to choreograph in an inconspicuous way, Alice provided me with the perfect set-up—my baby shower.

It would fit into my aforementioned criteria of only inviting Jacob around when there's other company. And, of course I'll have my nanny there to share in the celebration—I mean, she will be the one to help me look after the unborn, guests of honor, why wouldn't she be there?

Although, I got more than a few eyebrow raises from Alice when I gave her the guest list for the party.

"You're inviting Jacob?" She asked with a sigh.

"Yes," I replied, deciding I should let her in on my scheme. "I have a plan—I want to introduce Jacob to Lizzie."

"And you think that's a good idea?"

"Why wouldn't it be? We're just putting them in a room together—if they don't click, no harm no foul, right?"

Alice acquiesced to that slightly—it wasn't like I was forcing a situation that didn't want to be manifested. I was simply introducing two, unattached individuals.

And I did make sure Lizzie was single. I think I freaked her out with that one, though. She and I were in the kitchen making lunch for Owen and Alys when I tried, very nonchalantly, to bring up the subject of significant others.

"So, any plans for the weekend, Lizzie?" I asked.

"I'm probably going to clean my apartment and maybe order a movie On Demand," she replied with a laugh. "I'm something of a homebody—not much for going out."

"What does your boyfriend think of that?" I continued, trying to be sneaky.

"Oh, I don't have a boyfriend," she replied awkwardly. "I've actually never really had one. I've always focused more on school or work, and I've never taken the time for a relationship."

"Well, maybe that just means the perfect guy is just waiting out there somewhere for you," I said.

"Yeah...maybe."

She went back to cutting up fruit for the kids while I began to set my wicked plans in motion.

Alice and Rosalie set the party up at our house on a Saturday. We couldn't have it anywhere else because my doctor gave me strict orders to take it easy and stay at home as much as possible. With twins due in less than two months, I couldn't risk doing anything too strenuous.

Alice pulled the big, overstuffed chair out of the corner of the room for me to sit on, and surrounded it with various other seats for the guests. Aina and Keely took me over and sat me in my chair—on Alice's orders, of course—and helped their aunts play hostess all day.

I still can't believe my little girls are 6-years-old now; and in first grade! My babies are growing up too fast.

I sat back and Keely pushed an ottoman towards me so I could put my feet up. The doorbell rang and Aina ran to answer it, "Hi Lizzie!"

"Hey there, little bug, where's your other half at?"

"In here!" Keely called from her position at my side.

Lizzie walked in wearing a pretty, knee-length dress in dark blue. How perfect! That's Jake's favorite color. She walked over and set a present on the table next to me.

"Oh Lizzie, you didn't have to get me anything!" I said as Aina crawled up in the chair with me.

"Nonsense—who comes to a baby shower and doesn't bring the mother-to-be a gift? Or, in your case, bring two gifts."

I shook my head and chuckled as she sat in a chair to my left.

"So, how are you feeling today?" She asked.

"I'm great," I replied. "I'm being waited on hand and foot."

"As it should be," Lizzie laughed. "Are these two the hostesses for today?"

Aina and Keely both nodded.

"We're making sure everything runs along smoothly," Keely replied, throwing her hair over her shoulder in a perfect imitation of her Aunt Rosalie.

"Hey! I saw that," Rose said as she entered the room.

"Lizzie," I began, "This is my sister-in-law, Rosalie."

"Hello," Rose said, shaking Lizzie's hand.

"It's nice to meet you," Lizzie replied. "You're married to Bella's brother, right?"

"Yes," Rose said.

"And I am, of course, the glorious Alice," my other sister-in-law announced as she brought a plate of snacks into the room.

"You're Edward's sister," Lizzie laughed.

"My reputation precedes me, eh?" Alice retorted smugly. "Excellent!"

"Speaking of Edward, where are the guys?" I asked.

"Firing up the old grill and doin' man things, no doubt," Rosalie said. "I mean, they have a finite amount of time to do that with winter fast just around the corner."

"Yeah, but it's still only about 50 degrees outside," I replied. "I thought we were just going to make food inside."

"We were," Alice began, "But then Jasper and Emmett brought over burgers and a couple racks of ribs—which are, incidentally, still in the oven right now; making it impossible for me to make my mini quiches!"

"Uh-oh, I hear the sound of my unhappy wife," Jasper said as he walked in from the backyard. He spotted me and grinned, "Wow, Bells, you're even bigger than you were the first time you had twins."

"Thanks, Jas, you certainly know how to compliment a lady," I replied as Alice slapped him in the back of the head.

Alice then took Jasper in the kitchen to rectify the oven situation as the doorbell rang again. Every time I heard that sound, I prayed it was Jacob at the door, so I could get what might be an awkward introduction with Lizzie over and done with. But, it was Esme and Carlisle this time.

"Oh Bella, look at you!" Esme gushed as she sat in a chair to my right, "You're positively glowing! You know, I don't think I've seen pregnancy agree with a woman as much as it does with you! It's almost like you were born to be a mother!"

"I think that's an understatement, Esme," Rose laughed.

I felt one of the twins kick and put my hand to my belly. Aina noticed my action and put her ear near where my hand lay.

"The babies are moving," she said in awe. "I can hear them."

She gave a start when one of the babies bumped the area where her voice was coming from, causing us all to chuckle.

"I think you're little brothers like your voice, baby," I told her. "Talk to them some more. You too, Keely."

The elder twins began saying hello to their soon-to-be little brothers.

"Hi babies! I'm your big sister Keely," she said. "I can't wait to meet you."

"Me too," Aina replied. "I'm so excited that I'll be big enough to hold my little brothers when they're babies this time."

"And she's been getting a lot of practice with her cousin, Jacee, haven't you, Aina?" Alice asked as she walked back into the room.

Aina looked up and smiled at her aunt. I glanced at all of my family and friends seated around me and my sights settled on my father-in-law, who gave me a cautious expression.

"You are taking it easy, right Bella?" He asked. "I mean, I know you've been through this three times before – once with twins, even – but you're not as young and strong as you were with Aina and Keely. You're body has changed quite a bit since then."

I smiled at his concern, "I promise, Carlisle, I'm being very careful. That's why I hired Lizzie, so I don't have to worry about as many things as I used to."

He nodded, satisfied with my answer. The doorbell rang again and I craned my neck up to see if I could get a glimpse of who it was. Lizzie noticed my reaction.

"Are you waiting for someone in particular, Bella?" She asked. "You've been looking at the door a lot."

I looked to Alice who shook her head and smirked at me. I tried to recover as best as I could.

"Just my Dad and Stepmom," I said. "I haven't seen them in a while."

Rosalie walked back from the door with my Dad, Sue, Jacob, Leah and her newborn daughter Emily behind them. My heart actually sped up a bit when I saw Jake there. I hoped I could give him and Lizzie a chance to get to know one another without it coming off as an obvious setup.

Dad walked over for a hug and ended up with the twins hanging around his neck, smothering him with kisses. Jake approached cautiously and I gave him a quick hug before introducing him, Leah and my parents to Lizzie.

"This is our new nanny, Lizzie," I said, motioning to the tiny girl who blushed slightly and shook everyone's hand.

"It's good you two are getting some help around here, Bells," Dad said. "Six kids are going to be quite a handful."

"Speaking of babies, how is little Emily doing, Leah?" I asked.

Leah stood up and brought her daughter, who was about a month old, over for me to see. Luckily she seemed to be inheriting all of her mother's features – particularly the dark hair and eyes, not to mention that perfect, copper-colored skin.

"She's doing great – but I'm still wondering how you can take care of all of these little ones," Leah laughed. "This one is a handful and then some."

"You'll get used to it," I replied. "Once they're a few months old, that's when the real fun begins – when they start to laugh and smile; when their features start to settle in, and you realize they're starting to look like you. That's awesome."

I noticed the whole room was smiling at me wistfully as I spoke about children. I blushed a bit as I realized I was getting carried away with my thoughts. Aina pulled herself into my lap, "You were talking about us, right Mommy? Me and Keely, we look like you, huh?"

"You sure do, baby," I replied. "And so does Alys. But, you girls all have a touch of your daddy in you, too."

"Someone say Daddy?" Edward asked as he came in from the kitchen.

"Sweetie," I said, "It's probably about time for Owen and Alys to get up from their naps now."

"I'm on it," he replied as he flew up the steps.

"Oh, I can get them, Bella," Lizzie said.

"Nonsense, you're my guest today, not my nanny," I replied as I patted her hand gently.

I turned to Jacob, who was standing just to the back of the group against the wall. I noticed the open chair next to Lizzie and got Jacob's attention.

"Jake, come sit down," I said as I waved him in Lizzie's direction. "You look like you're trying to make a break for it."

He smirked, "Maybe I am."

"I don't think so, buddy," I replied, pointing to the open seat once more, "Sit your butt down, now!"

"Fine," he sighed as he schlepped over and slung into the seat carelessly.

I smiled over at him and noticed Lizzie giving me a quizzical look. I just put on my best innocent expression and turned back to the rest of the people in the party. Edward walked down the stairs with Alys in his arms; Owen was walking just to the side of him, holding on to his pant leg.

When Alys saw me, she turned and reached out in my direction, causing Edward to bring her over and place her in my lap. She was about to snuggle close to me, when she saw her Uncle Jake sitting a few feet away. Alys jumped up and waddled over to Jake, holding her arms up to him.

"Hey, Babygirl," Jake said as he pulled her up. "How's my little Alys?"

"'Ncle Jake!" She said excitedly.

"Wow," Lizzie commented, "The kids really seem to like you."

"Yeah," I replied. "My kids love their Uncle Jake."

I smiled over at Alice who rolled her eyes at me. This could work, I thought. At least they both love kids – that's one thing they have in common.

EPOV

Bella is far too trusting and too open to people sometimes.

I just can't understand this incessant need she has with keeping everyone around her happy. Especially not Jacob. But, if setting him up with Lizzie is what it takes to at least get him to see there's more to life than pining after a married woman, I'm willing to go along with it.

But, I'm still keeping an eye on him.

If anyone needs to find love, however, it's poor Leah. I can't begin to imagine how difficult it's going to be for her to raise Emily on her own. I watched as Leah and Bella chatted quietly at the baby shower and was struck with the idea of somehow getting James to pay some kind of child support.

There had to be a way for the court to get a hold of James' bank account and at least provide Leah with a few hundred – if not a thousand – a week. He deserves to pay for the way he treated her.

I made the decision to talk to some of Dad's attorney friends and see what can be done about that.

As far as Jacob was concerned, he at least seemed somewhat interested in Lizzie. They chatted while they ate, and they both really love the kids. Owen climbed into Lizzie's lap and offered her a bite of his cookie, which she happily took. While this was going on, I noticed Jacob's demeanor, and could swear I saw a glimmer of something strange in his eyes – something that resembled longing.

There may be hope for him yet.