Another short chapter but two in a row. That counts for something, right?

Chapter 17

BPOV

Madeline Elyse was gorgeous, well from what I had seen from the pictures Masen had been sending to me since she was born a week ago. I could just tell she was Masen's, so all of those months of hoping she wasn't were a waste. Even if I didn't like her Mother I couldn't wait to hold her and tell her that her grandma loved her. It was still crazy to believe that I was a grandmother. I couldn't be prouder of Masen, though. He was stepping up when many men in his situation wouldn't have. He was so much like Edward.

"I can't believe you talked me into moving back in here." Lane said as I was watched her carry a box towards the basement. It hadn't taken much to talk her into it, actually. She hadn't left since the night Madeline was born, so I decided to bring it up to her again. She told me that she was only doing it to be closer to the kids but I knew she didn't want to be alone anymore.

"I can." I smiled at her. "How about you take that last box downstairs and I get the kids ready to go to the diner. We'll go have lunch there to celebrate your return." I said. Edward was at the office working on finishing up his book since it was a lot quieter there then here. It turns out all these months that Edward has been spending in his office he's been writing a book. He won't let me read it until it's finished, I'm just itching to get my hands on it. I'm almost positive my husband has done an amazing job.

I walked upstairs to find Alison and Gracie playing dress up with the new dress up clothes Alice had bought them.

"We're going out to eat lunch, so why don't you two put some actual clothes on?" I laughed at them. Gracie had a tu-tu on.

"Can we dress up pretty?" Gracie asked.

"As long as you're warm." I said knowing I'd have to come back in there and find something for them to wear. I was about to go to Alexa's room when she walked into her sisters room.

"Where are we going, Mommy?" My seven year old ask.

"To the diner for lunch. We're celebrating Lane moving back in with us." I told her. She smiled then rushed off to get dressed. I knew she'd put on something warm and appropriate for public so I left her to her own thing. Mikey was sitting in the middle of his room playing with his cars. He was already dressed so he went ahead downstairs with me. I took Mikey outside with me to get the van warmed and left Lane to get the girls out of the house and into the van. I couldn't imagine the last six months without her help. She's been a huge blessing. Plus, my kids adore her so that's an added plus. I doubt they would let her leave even if she wanted to.

I was surprised when the Gracie and Alison walked out of the house in long sleeves and jackets. Of course I knew I would be fighting a losing battle if I tried to get them out of those skirts. At least they had on leggings.

Once everyone was in the van we went towards the only decent diner in Fork's. We rarely ever went out to eat so it was a big treat for the kids, so I knew they would be on their best behavior.

Once we were inside the diner I helped the kids out of their jackets and Lane helped me settle them down. They were so excited to be out of the house and not in school.

I was busy looking at the menu and talking to Lane when the waitress got to our table.

"I'm Tanya and I'll be your waitress this afternoon."

I'm not sure what made me look away from the menu but I'm pretty sure it was hearing the name. I'm sure the blood drained out of my face as I lowered the menu to get a look at the woman.

"Bella, are you okay?" Lane reached out and touched my arm.

I sat there frozen just staring at the woman.

She had gained weight over the years and looked a lot healthier then before but that didn't stop me from standing up and getting my kids the hell away from her.

"I'll explain to you later, just help me get the kids in the van. Now." I looked over at Lane with a panic in my eyes.

"Follow Lane. Okay?" I told my kids. Gracie started to pout but stopped when she saw the look on my face.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" Of course Alexa would ask.

"Nothing, baby just go get in the van with Lane. Alright?" I kissed the top of her head and helped them into their jackets.

Tanya hadn't left. Instead she watched everything with a smirk on her face. I could have slapped her right then but I knew I had to wait until the kids were out of sight to say or do anything to her.

"I don't know what you think you're doing here but I will only say this to you once. Stay away from my family!" I hissed at her once the kids were out of the restaurant.

"She's my daughter. I want to see her." Tanya said.

"She was never your daughter." I said getting extremely angry with her. I had to get out of there before I did something stupid. "Leave her alone."

I stopped at McDonalds on the way home for the kids lunch then dropped them off at home with Lane. I told her I would explain later but I had to go see my husband.

I walked quickly into Edward's office. I knew he would be on lunch so I went right in. He was sitting at his desk typing away. I hated interrupting him but I was almost hysterical at this point.

"Bella? What's going on?" He stood up and wrapped me in his arms.

"Tanya works at the diner." I took a deep breath.

"What?" He pulled me back to look me in the eye.

"I took the kids to lunch…and she work's there, Edward! She's here to try to get Alexa! She can't have her!"

"Calm down, Bella." He smoothed my hair back. "Come here, sit." He brought me over to the couch.

"Make her leave, Edward. Please…" I let the tears go.

"She can't get Alexa. She has no rights, Bella." He sat down with me and held me in his arms. "You're her mother, you adopted her."

"But what is she doing here?" I cried.

"I don't know, baby. But I'm going to find out." He sighed.

"I didn't mean to interrupt your writing…" I started but he stopped me by kissing my lips.

"Nonsense I would have been angry if you hadn't come by to tell me this."

Edward held me and calmed me down for the next fifteen minutes then I left so he could get back to work. He was going to go to the diner after he left the office to talk to Tanya. He was going to do everything in his power to get her to leave town.

When I got home Mikey was upstairs napping and the girls were in the kitchen with Lane baking Christmas cookies with Lane. I stood in the doorway watching my girls. I couldn't imagine not having Alexa in my life right now. She was my little girl in every single way.

"Mommy, come help!" Alexa said from the table. I smiled and walked over to her. I kissed the top of her head and told her how much I loved her. She just looked at me like I was crazy. I began to wonder how she would take to knowing that I wasn't her biological Mother, if she would want anything to do with Tanya or if she would be angry with us for keeping it from her. I knew she was still too young to really understand, so I hoped that we could wait a little longer before we told her.