Chapter 2:

EPOV

I finally made it home from the hospital. I needed rest, my children needed rest. My mom, sister, and sister-in-law, agreed to stay over to help with the kids, so I could attempt to shower and pull myself together. Of course, they brought over their kids to play with my kids. I smiled briefly as I thought of our huge family that was filled with so much love.

There was my sister Alice, who was married to Jasper Hale. They had a 5 year old daughter Ali Marie (yes Marie, again after my sweet Bella) and 3 year old daughter Mary Belle. Alice's full name is Mary Alice, therefore, she named her daughter after herself and her best friend, my Bella, our Bella. They also had a 1 year old son, Jasper Hale, Jr, affectionately called J.J.

Then, there was my brother Emmett and his feisty wife Rosalie. They didn't have children yet, but I think they will soon. However, they are the best aunt and uncle in the whole world. They love all the children unconditionally, as if they were their own.

We called our children the stair-step bunch. They were ages, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. Of course we didn't plan it that way, it just happened. Now the twins were added to that bunch at 3 weeks old.

Of course, there were the proud grandparents Carlisle and Esme Cullen, my mom and dad, and Charlie and Renee, Bella's mom and dad. We saw a good bit of Charlie because he was the chief of police in the small town of Forks, Washington, where we lived, but Renee, lived in Florida, so she didn't come around as often. She was married to Phil, who played minor league baseball and travelled a lot.

Of course, they were all here as soon as word got out that Bella was in the hospital having emergency surgery. I was grateful to my family; I would have definitely fallen apart if not for them.

I slowly climbed in the shower. As the hot shower moved down my body, I began to weep as memories of Bella washed over me. Get a grip Edward, I said to myself. "She is not dead", I spoke out loud for my own benefit. As the shower finished, I quickly put on a pair of pajama pants, and laid in the bed. I grabbed Bella's pillow and nestled it to my face. I smelled just like her, strawberries mixed with freesia. I began to weep, until I heard a knock at my door. There stood Nessie and Marie Claire.

"Daddy, can we sleep with you?" Nessie asked.

"Of course, angels. Where is Anthony?" I replied

"He is sleeping with Nana." Answered Marie Claire

"O.k., angels, climb in"

With that I fell asleep on Bella's pillow with my 2 beautiful daughters at my side. It wasn't the most restful sleep without Bella, but it was fine because of my girls. When I woke and saw them laying their, I knew I couldn't mourn or long for Bella too long. I had to be strong for them. Their hair fanned out across the pillow, just like their mother's and I smiled at that thought. I made up my mind to be their rock, they missed their mother just as much as me, and I couldn't have them lose their father too because of emotional unavailability. I climbed out of bed to make breakfast for them. First, I brushed my teeth and washed my faced before walking downstairs. I saw that Rosalie and Renee were setting breakfast on the table. I silently thanked them for completing this chore.

"How are you feeling?" my mother asked.

"Better this morning, I just miss her so much. I know I have to be strong for all the children though. I need to get things ready for Jessie and Charles to come home. I need to be strong for Bella, so when she wakes up, she'll come home to the home she left" I answered.

"Oh son, you are so brave, we will be here for you, with whatever you need. Just don't put yourself completely on the back burner, you are hurting too. You need to deal with that hurt" my mother replied. She could be so wise at times.

Soon all the kids and other relatives made it downstairs to eat breakfast. I smiled at all of them and was amazed at how lucky I was to be surrounded by so much love. Regretfully, all I wanted right that second was Bella's love, to run my fingers through her hair, to touch her heart-shaped face, to kiss her full lips, to make love to her. I wanted my wife.