A/N: IMPORTANT: Thanks for y'all's continuous support. I've been trying to thank each one of you individually, as you probably noticed. I think I should inform you guys of what's going on with the story, from here on out: I'm going to write about special events that take place in each year of the children's lives. Their age will be next to the title of each chapter. Each year may be split into a few chapters. So, you guys have AT LEAST eighteen or more chapters left…This story won't be ending any time soon…
Chapter 3: Taking Care of Babies (Newborns--4 days old)
"All right, Charlotte and Thackery, we're home, babies!" Edward cooed as he opened the front door, Charlotte in his arms.
Alice was holding Thackery, kissing his forehead and fretting over his blankets, making sure he was bundled up nicely in the chilly winter air. Our house, still decorated for Christmas, was warm and toasty. I pulled off my coat, still feeling a little uncomfortable, and bent to plug in all of the Christmas lights. "I can't believe we spent the babies' first Christmas in the hospital."
"Well, we didn't technically know this would be their first Christmas. They came early and surprised us, yes you did, you wicked little babies," Edward said, starting out in a normal voice and ending up baby talking to Charlotte.
I laughed. "You are smitten, aren't you?"
He grinned widely. "I love them. I never imagined I could fall in love the first time I saw anyone. Truly love at first sight," he said running his hand over Charlotte's soft red hair.
"What about when you first saw me?" I teased.
"Bella, I knew you since we were in diapers. But I guess you could say that when I truly opened my eyes to the fact that you were a beautiful woman, and not only my best friend, then, yes, that was love at first sight as well."
I smiled and kissed his forehead. "Good answer, kid."
He laughed and went into the kitchen. "Oh, babies, you guys are going to love it here. Mommy and daddy have bought you so much stuff. You'll surely be the most spoiled children in the greater Seattle area."
He was looking down at Charlotte, rubbing her face with one finger, when she squealed and smiled. "She smiled at me! Her first smile!"
"That means she has gas," I commented, walking over to them.
"Wow, way to ruin my moment, Bella."
I laughed. "It's true, though."
"After four days in a hospital, it sure feels good to be home," he said. "Let's bring them upstairs."
The whole family went upstairs, into Thackery's room. "Turtles, very tough," Emmett commented, looking at the wall decals and chuckling.
Edward glared at him. "I happen to think that turtles and frogs are very cute. What would you have recommended?"
Emmett backed away from Edward's protective glare. "Cars?"
Edward rolled his eyes. "We were going to save that until he could actually play with cars. In a few years."
"Ah…I think I'll buy him a car bed," Emmett said. "I used to have a pretty sweet Corvette when I was four or five."
"I'm sure he'd love that, Em," I said, trying to diffuse the impending argument. "Edward, do you want to help me feed them?"
"Are you breastfeeding?" Jasper asked, looking at Alice uncomfortably.
"No, no. I tried when we were in the hospital, and it hurt too bad. I don't think I can stand that pain all day long, especially with twins."
"But isn't breast milk supposed to be better for the babies?" Rosalie asked.
I sighed. "Yes, but--"
Edward butt in. "Mom raised us on a bottle and formula, and we came out completely normal and healthy."
"Except for the leukemia," Emmett commented.
"My leukemia had nothing to do with mom not breast feeding me, you jackass. It's in our gene pool. Grandpa had it, I got it. You have no idea if you could, too!" Edward said, voice angry.
Charlotte wiggled in his arms and Edward rubbed her hair. "Now, see? You got her upset, Emmett. It's all right, baby."
Emmett rolled his eyes. "First off, she was already moving. Secondly, I wasn't saying the leukemia came from your lack of boob. I was simply saying that we aren't all healthy."
I looked at Edward as he glared at Emmett, and then at Emmett as he laughed at Edward. Alice was rocking back and forth, Thackery still in her arms. Esme and Carlisle were standing in the corner, looking at their two sons. Carlisle cleared his throat. "The babies will be fine on formula. Trust me."
Nobody could doubt him and so I turned silently and went downstairs to make two bottles. Jasper came down the stairs, holding Charlotte close to his chest. "Bella, do you need any help with anything?"
I turned to him, giving him a tired smile. "No, no. I'm fine. Why aren't you upstairs?"
"Too much tension in that room," he replied, kissing the tiny girl in his arms.
"Tell me about it."
"Alice and I are probably going to take off. We've got shopping to do for these little ones. And Alice wants to get her nails done," he said, rolling his eyes.
"All right, Jasper. Thanks for coming to the hospital and here. I know the drive here's not exactly easy to make."
"I really want to move to Seattle. I need to discuss grad school with Alice, of course."
"I thought you guys really liked California?"
He shrugged. "But now we have two new reasons to come home. Plus we miss everyone here so much."
"Yeah. I miss seeing your faces. Holidays and the occasional weekend just aren't enough."
"Edward told me you were going to forego grad school to take care of them?" he asked.
"Yeah. Just for a year or two."
He nodded, and gestured toward the stairs. "Let's feed these hungry babies. Uncle Jazz is going to feed you, darlin'."
We went upstairs to join the rest of the family. I handed one bottle to Esme, who was now holding Thackery, and one to Jasper, who was holding Charlotte. I went to sit in Edward's lap in Thackery's rocking chair. I rested my head against his chest, exhausted from the previous four days. "Tired?" he asked, kissing my hair and wrapping his arms around me.
I nodded. "Extremely."
"Why don't you go take a nap? I'll kick everyone out by the time you wake."
I was grateful for that. I loved my family, but I wanted time alone with my husband and newborns, without interruption. Charlie, who was always too much like me, knew this. He had come to see us all the day after the babies were born, Christmas Day, and had told me he would come back when we were settled in. I was thankful to my father.
"I'm going to take a nap, I think. I'm sorry to leave you guys like this, especially since you all have come all the way from Forks, but I can't help it."
Everyone dismissed my apologies with smiles and kisses to the cheek. I went into my room and flopped back on the bed. I was still wearing my slippers, so I slipped them off. I settled back against Edward's familiar smelling pillow and my eyes instantly closed.
When I had awoken, the sun had set outside and the house was dark. I stretched and got up, walking slowly down the stairs. The lower level of the house was lit only by Christmas lights and the glow of the television, which played A Christmas Story--our favorite Christmas movie. We had missed the marathon, as well as other traditions, like dinner and songs. We were going to have a belated Christmas feast on New Years Eve, instead. Surrounded by family was the perfect way to ring in the new year.
I clicked off the DVD player and television, just as Randy was hiding under the cupboard, exclaiming that, "Daddy's gonna kill Ralphie!"
I turned to the couch, where Edward was fast asleep, both babies resting on his chest side by side. His arms held them securely, a light blanket covering them. I smiled--it was the cutest scene I had ever hoped to see. He made the cutest father, completely in love with his children. I bent down and kissed each of the babies' heads, then kissed his lips. He stirred and opened his eyes. "Hey," he said, his voice thick with sleep.
"Let's bring them up to bed," I said, grabbing Charlotte gently and cuddling her to myself.
Edward held Thackery close to himself, kissing his soft hair, and rubbing his back gently. When we passed the Christmas tree, Edward made a noise. "There's a bulb out on the tree…"
I laughed lightly. "Only you would notice that."
"True."
We laid the babies in their respective cribs and Edward met me in Charlotte's room. I was looking at her, deep in slumber, and smiling to myself. We had managed to conceive the two prettiest babies of all time. Edward put his arms around my waist from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder, kissing my neck lightly. "Come on. Let's hit the sack."
"I don't know if you realized this, but I just slept close to five hours. I'm not tired."
"Then accompany me in the bed."
"I don't think that'll be happening any time soon," I replied.
He laughed. "It was worth the try."
I slapped his hand and then wound my fingers with his. "I'm going to shower."
"An excellent idea."
I rolled my eyes. "Don't try anything."
"I know, Bella. Geez. You only gave birth four days ago."
We went to the bathroom and he turned the water on hot. I shivered as I slipped my pants off, a cold draft blowing across the floor. Edward had his jeans off, his boxers taken with them. I sighed and pulled my shirt over my head and looked into the mirror. My stomach was still flabby and I grabbed handfuls of it and jiggled it. "Disgusting!"
Edward finished unbuttoning his shirt and dropped it to the floor. He put his hands on my stomach and smiled. "I dunno. I think you look kinda cute all pudgy."
I swatted him and he laughed and turned on the baby monitors. I unsnapped my bra and removed the protective pads. They were soaked with milk, so I tossed them in the trash. Edward watched, an amused look on his face. "Wow," he commented, ogling my swollen breasts.
"Get into the water, Cullen," I said, "before I turn the water to cold."
He laughed and stepped in, holding his hand out for me to balance on as I got in after him. "That water feels so good," I said, practically moaning.
He began squeezing my shoulders and rubbing his hands roughly down my back. "Thank you," I said.
"I'm proud of you, Bella. You gave birth to two beautiful babies."
I reached over my shoulder and touched his face. "You helped me. If I hadn't had you there, I wouldn't have made it."
"Tell that to my hand. It was crippled for hours afterward," he teased. "And I thought it was all my fault?"
I laughed. "I don't remember what I was screaming at you, but I'm sorry."
"It's all right. I forgive you…for now."
He kissed my shoulder and I melted back into him. After a long while, the water turned cold and Edward flipped the water off. He grabbed a large beach towel and dried me off before wrapping it tightly around my shoulders and giving me a kiss on the forehead. "I love you."
"Yeah…I know," I replied. "And I love you, too, by the way."
He shrugged in an arrogant way. "That's just because I'm amazing."
"You are," I said seriously, kissing his lips. "Now, let's go to bed."
He smiled and wrapped a towel around his waist. "This damn house is so drafty."
We went to our closet and got out our clothes. Edward burst out laughing suddenly and I jumped. "What?" I asked, confused.
He pulled a long, thin box out from the top shelf. "One of your Christmas gifts," he said, still laughing.
I raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"Open it," he said, grinning.
I narrowed my eyes at his laughter. "Why do I feel suspicious?"
"Because you have reason to," he replied gesturing again for me to open it.
My curiosity piqued and I undid the elegant gold bow. I pulled the top off and pushed back the tissue paper. A bunch of red velvet, a fluffy strip of white, a black leather strip and a gold buckle. I pulled the item out and then busted out laughing too. "Where did you get this?"
He grinned. "Don't ask."
I looked at the skimpy little "Pregnant Mrs. Claus" outfit. It was high quality, if nothing else. The velvet was plush and soft, the fluffy collar made of a silky white material. The belt was actual leather and the buckle actual gold. He was laughing, probably at the look on my face. "I got it, as a gag gift, before I knew the babies would come so early."
I looked over the little dress at him and raised an eyebrow. "You are twisted."
"Are you going to try it on?" he asked, smiling.
"I'm not even pregnant anymore!" I said.
"Yes, I know. So it'll be a little baggy in the front. It'll still accentuate other lovely parts of you."
I laughed and shook my head. "I could kill you for this, Cullen."
"Nah. You love me too much. Plus, come on, it's funny."
I smiled and stepped into the dress. He zipped it up my back and turned me around. He furrowed his brow and then smiled. "I almost forgot."
He reached back into the closet and pulled out a much smaller box. He opened it swiftly and had the matching Santa hat on my head before I could protest. He stepped back and whistled. "Whoa ho ho. Very nice."
I glared at him and stood in front of the mirror. "I look like a deranged elf."
"No no, they had elf costumes as well. This was much hotter."
He put his hands on my sides and stood close to me. "I could get used to this much cleavage," he said, bending down to plant a kiss on my very apparent cleavage.
"You are such a pig," I laughed.
"And you are such a wicked little mommy. But tell, Mrs. Claus, were you naughty or nice?"
I laughed out loud and threw my arms around his neck. "Just shut up and kiss me."
He did as told and then pulled away. He tugged his pants on over his boxers and then put on a hoodie. "It's freezing in here. Let's get into the bed, where it's warmer."
He pulled me toward our bed and pulled back the heavy comforter and sheets. I shook my head. "Let me put some real clothes on."
I threw on my favorite holey sweats and climbed into the bed, cuddling myself up next to him. He held me close to himself, touching my leg with his foot. "Your feet are freezing. They are always freezing!"
He laughed and moved the sheet between his feet and my legs. He began to stroke my hair and hum to me, an unfamiliar tune. When he began humming, I was suddenly too tired to ask what this new song was. I closed my eyes.
Just as I did so, a loud, piercing cry sounded over the monitor and rang through the whole house. I groaned. "Just when I was getting warm."
He laughed. "Shall I take it this time?"
I shook my head. "I'll get her."
I left the room and went to Charlotte's room. As I was making her a warm bottle in the kitchen, I sighed happily as Charlotte began sucking the bottle down. She was back asleep within half an hour. I went back into my own bed and settled in next to Edward, who had fallen asleep. As soon as I closed my eyes, a new cry shook the house. Thackery.
Edward's eyes shot open and he sat up. "I got it."
Edward retrieved Thackery, and I listened to him talk to the baby. He went downstairs and made a bottle before settling into the rocking chair in Thackery's room. I heard the creaking of floorboards as he rocked gently, humming that same new tune. Edward's feet padded quietly around the room after a while. I got up and found Edward changing Thackery's diaper. Though most men found this aspect of a baby disgusting (hell, even I found it pretty revolting), Edward smiled the whole time he did it, cooing and talking to him. "My little man. This is stinky. Yes it is. Ew, baby."
The baby stared at Edward, and though he couldn't really see properly yet, I knew that he knew Edward's voice. Edward wrapped up the diaper and tossed it, before leaning over the tiny boy and touching his face gently. I couldn't get over how adorable my husband was. It made me want to grab him and ravish him right there. "Edward? Need any help?" I asked, making my presence known."
He turned around and grinned. "No. I'm just going to burp him and then I'm coming back to bed."
I walked to him and kissed his cheek. "You are too fucking cute, you know."
O.O.O.O
I like this chapter. Edward as a father is the cutest thing imaginable. Reviews would be lovely, of course.
