A/N: Hello, lovelies. Oh, my. If only you could see my docs for this chapter. Not so much safe for work, which is why I had to wait to upload it until I got out of work. LOL!

It was the small hours of the morning when Edward climbed into bed. Carlisle stirred, inhaling deeply. Edward's skin smelled clean, his hair, when Carlisle nuzzled the back of his head, was damp from a shower. He'd washed the stink of a long, hard shift away.

Edward groaned as Carlisle's arms came around him. "Sleepy," he mumbled, but it wasn't a real protest. He wiggled his ass a bit, urging Carlisle on.

Carlisle kissed a line across his shoulders. "This won't take long, and it won't require much participation from you." He nibbled his ear. "I won't be insulted if you need to sleep."

Edward snorted and then moaned as Carlisle's wandering fingers slipped beneath the pajama pants he had on. He pressed his ass back against Carlisle's crotch.

"Oh, you decided to be an active participant." Carlisle rubbed his hand over Edward's cock, stroking him and reaching to brush his balls with the tips of his fingers. "That's good. I like you better when you're more than semi-conscious."

Edward moaned. "I thought...ohhh." He swallowed hard. "I always thought you found me kind of mouthy."

Carlisle cupped his cheek, tilting his head to catch his lips. "I never did have a problem finding uses for your mouth," he murmured between kisses.

They kissed for a time—long, slow kisses with their tongues moving against each other, tiny moans vibrating against their lips. Carlisle traced the lines of Edward's cock with his fingertips, brushing the underside of his tip until Edward bucked against his hand.

Then, without warning, Carlisle shoved Edward forward onto his belly, pinning him beneath his body. Carlisle couldn't help but smile at his husband's startled gasp. Truth be told, Carlisle had startled himself. But for the first time in a long time, he'd been too overcome to think before he acted.

This man, this beautiful man, was his. Edward consumed his every sense. The soft feel of his skin over the taut muscles of his back. The scent of him—clean and male. The taste of his kiss. The sight of him beneath him—his head turned on the pillow, his lips curved up and parted, his hair becoming more disheveled under Carlisle's fingers. The sounds of his surprise and pleasure. All of it drove thought and worry right out of Carlisle's head. He was feral with desire—a ferocity that made him powerful.

He took Edward's right hand and guided it up to press his palm against the headboard. "You keep this right here." He took Edward's left hand and did the same. "And this right here, you understand?"

Edward gasped and whimpered. "Y-yes."

Carlisle leaned down to growl low in Edward's ear. "You just hold on tight. All right?"

"Yes." Edward sounded breathless—so eager.

Dipping his head to drag his teeth along Edward's back, Carlisle reached over, fumbling in the nightstand for the lube. He tossed it on the bed and sat up, his knees on either side of Edward. He ran his hands up and down his husband's back, light first—almost tickling—and then pressing. "Do you know how beautiful you are? How perfect you are under my hands?"

He heard Edward's sharp intake of breath and saw him lick his lips before he answered. "You know, it occurs to me I've never really seen my back. Is it good as backs go? I've never really paid attention to backs in general."

Carlisle chuckled. He did adore this man. "There isn't much about you that isn't good, sweetheart." He drew his finger along Edward's spine. "I do like your back. You have such a nice shape." He scooted backward and pressed his palm to the small of Edward's back. "But this." He pulled Edward's pajama pants down, slowly revealing the double swells of his ass. "This I really like."

"That's because you're a pervert."

Carlisle snapped the lube open near Edward's ear, smirking when he shivered. "Well, I can't argue with that." He poured a liberal amount along Edward's crack and tossed it to the side, beginning to rub and tease his entrance. "I'm a dirty old man."

Edward gasped and arched up under his touch. "Luckily for you, I— Oh, oh!" He sucked in a breath. "I like dirty old men."

"That is lucky for me," Carlisle agreed, working him with two fingers.

"Oh, God." Edward's hands tightened around the bedposts. "Please."

"Please what, baby?" Carlisle leaned down, peppering kisses to his neck and shoulders.

"Please. I want you. I need you."

Need. Such a simple and yet wholly appropriate word. Carlisle needed this man more than he ever knew it was possible to need someone. Edward was essential to his survival, his happiness, his very existence. And yes, right then, Carlisle needed nothing more than he needed to be a part of him.

He lined up his cock and pushed into Edward with three quick strokes, burrowing deep and swallowing the space between their bodies. He stretched his hands up, wrapping his fingers around Edward on the bedpost as he began to move in him, with him.

For minutes they spoke the lovers language—guttural grunts, soft sighs, and wanton moans. Carlisle buried his face at Edward's neck, his mouth open on him, teeth digging into his skin ever so slightly. Edward whispered his name and then shouted it. Carlisle felt Edward shake beneath him, finding his release in the friction of their bodies against the sheets. Carlisle followed an instant later.

He lay collapsed over his boy, his love, for minutes more, both of them breathing hard. Edward's body was so hot, but Carlisle didn't want to move. He wanted to stay wrapped in this superheated bubble with the man he loved forever.

But, Edward probably needed to breathe.

With a groan, Carlisle rolled off his husband onto his back. Edward hadn't moved. His hands were still stretched above his head, grasping the posts in a loose hold. Carlisle chuckled. He reached up and took his hand, bringing it down between them.

Edward turned his head, and Carlisle had to hold back a gasp. He recognized that look. More than that, he missed that look. It was a shadow of their past—Edward's blissed out face, his serene smile. It wasn't all the way there, but his was the face of a well taken care of boy floating in sub space.

Carlisle stroked his fingers through Edward's damp hair. His poor boy. He was so starving for a scene, for that release of control, that he clung to even that small morsel.

Cupping his cheek, Carlisle kissed him sweetly. "You're so good to me."

Edward wrinkled his nose. "I mean...I didn't do anything."

He looked so adorably perplexed, Carlisle laughed. He traced Edward's fine features. He kept trying to find the right words and arriving at the same one: beautiful. His husband was so beautiful. Not only physically. No. Edward had suffered as much as he had, had gone through the horror of losing their children, and yet he'd still been Carlisle's strength when he had none. Despite the fact Carlisle couldn't give him something he needed desperately, Edward had been the epitome of patience. This beautiful man who had given him such a beautiful life. Soon, they would have three beautiful children.

Looking at Edward, Carlisle couldn't help but believe there had to be something good about himself—something that made a man like his husband love and trust him so completely.

"I know there'll be more bad days. I just want you to know right now, even on the worst of them, I know I'm so lucky." He kissed his husband, brushing their noses. "I'm so, so lucky."

~0~

"We ruined your life, didn't we?"

Bella lowered her hand from where it had been thrown over her face. She grimaced at Edward then looked at Carlisle. "Your husband is dramatic. Good luck when these kids are teenagers. You'll have four of them to deal with."

Edward's lips quirked up, and a nervous jolt of energy shot through him. "Three teenagers at once. Christ, let's not get ahead of ourselves."

Bella smiled then sighed. She reached behind her to rub the small of her back, and Edward clucked in sympathy.

They were at the doctor's office for another appointment. Bella had to tolerate more appointments than was typical because a triplets pregnancy was automatically considered high risk. Now, at twenty-two weeks, Bella's doctor had point-blank told her if she didn't take it easy, he would put her on strict bed rest. The babies were healthy, but a normal pregnancy was exhausting. Carrying triplets was exponentially so. Edward felt guilty knowing her body would never be the same again.

The doctor had left them alone in the room for a few minutes while he went to get some paperwork he'd neglected to bring. As soon as the door had closed behind him, Bella had cursed him out in every language she knew.

Now, she smiled as Edward took over rubbing her back. She leaned against him. "You didn't ruin my life. We had this discussion months ago. We all went over exactly what it meant. We all knew implanting three embryos meant we could possibly get three babies."

Bella cupped her hands over her enormous belly. She looked ready to pop even though she was barely halfway through her pregnancy. "I was never going to enjoy being pregnant," she said with a small smile. "This isn't magical for me. It hurts, and it aches, and now it's going to get in the way of how much time I was ready to take off work. But it's worth it. You're never going to convince me it isn't worth it."

She took Edward's hand and Carlisle's hand and put them both on her belly. Her smile turned more serene, and she put her hands over theirs. "I love them, you know. I do. I worry about them constantly. I worry about whether I'll be able to bring them to term, because I know how likely it is they'll be born early. I want to work more, but I worry about the stress I put on my body, not because of what it'll do to me—I'll recover—but because I don't know what it's doing to them. I worry about them, and I love them, because I love both of you so much."

She ran her fingers through their hair. "You boys are my family. When you hurt, I hurt. So no, goofball." She bopped Edward on the nose. "Being part of your happiness isn't ruining my life. I learned a long time ago life isn't a fairy tale. It's not supposed to come easy."

Carlisle reached out and took Edward's free hand in his. Emotion threatened to choke Edward then, as he looked from his best friend to his husband, his hand splayed over his three children—two sons and one daughter. His eyes stung with the beauty of the moment.

"But you know, you could consider naming the girl after me," Bella said, her voice teasing. "That does seem like the least you can do."

They both laughed and kissed her cheek.

~0~

Later that night, Carlisle found himself staring at the sonogram again, unable to take his eyes off it. He wondered at the family dynamics they would soon find themselves in the middle of. He and Edward were both only children. He wondered what it would be like to watch three children growing up together, experiencing each age, each milestone concurrently. He wondered what it would be like for his daughter growing up surrounded by boys. Would she be spoiled because her and Edward couldn't help but dote on her? Would she be rough and tumble being raised with two boys?

Carlisle frowned, and that was how Edward caught him.

His husband stood with his hands on his hips, eyebrow arched as he looked down on Carlisle. "What are you thinking about?"

Carlisle considered this, wondering where to start. "I was actually wondering if we were hypocrites."

Edward's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait...what?"

Carlisle sat up in his place on the couch, setting the sonogram on the side table. "Just some of the things we were talking about earlier. About what it'll be like raising two boys and a girl all at once."

They were lucky, they knew. Their little girl would have strong, positive female influences around them all the time. Esme and Emmett's wife, Rosalie, had helped them take care of Riley and Bree the year before. And they both suspected Bella would have a special connection with these children for the rest of her life. Even Garrett's wife, Kate, wasn't a stranger in their home

"I was considering gender," Carlisle said. "And the things we've gone through as gay men. Society told us from the day we were born that we were straight. We've had this discussion—how much easier it would be if society as a whole wouldn't insist on a heteronormative standard, but isn't that the same thing we're doing to our babies?

"I mean, we saw two penises on the sonogram today and assumed we have two sons and a daughter. And we'll raise them according to that theory, but it's not a fact. That might not be the case at all. It's so arrogant of us to do that to them—put that definition on them when they're not even born yet. I don't like the idea that our oppressive norms are something they're going to have to overcome if they aren't cisgendered."

Carlisle was startled out of his tirade by Edward's loud bark of a laugh. "Sweetheart, that is...way too heavy for a Friday night." He crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Carlisle, that part we have. We celebrate our boys and our little girl, and if one of the boys tells us he wants to wear a dress, we'll be okay with that. And if our little girl wants to cut her hair short and asks us to call her John, we'll do that too. It's going to be fine."

Edward laughed again. "Oh, my God. You looked so serious, you scared me. Turns out you were just taking a page from my book—overthinking the strangest thing. Sweetheart, being that much of a loon is my job. The kids need you to be the steady, rational one."

Carlisle crossed his arms and pressed his lips together as he stared back at his husband. "You're laughing at me."

"Yeah, well. You deserve it."

"Is that a fact?"

"Yep. When you're being ridiculous, I get to have a giggle at your expense." Edward grinned at him brattily.

For three seconds, they stared at each other, Edward teasing and Carlisle pretending to be grumpy about it.

Then, Carlisle lunged.

Edward yelped, figuring out almost too late what was happening. He darted, but Carlisle had his arms around him. They both tumbled to the floor. Edward laughed, scrambling to get away, but Carlisle had the upper hand. It only took him a handful of moments to have Edward pinned, his torso over Carlisle's knee, his legs trapped by Carlisle's. "You think it's nice to laugh at your elders? Hmm?" Carlisle asked, struggling to keep his squirming husband in his grip.

"In this case?" Edward said, breathless as he clawed at the floor, bucking in Carlisle's arms. "Let me go."

"Oh, no, little boy." Carlisle shifted, bracing himself against the couch, trapping Edward's flailing arm by the wrist. "I have you now."

Caught up in the playfulness of the moment, Carlisle smacked Edward's ass several times in quick succession. Only when Edward gave a startled squeal—one that cut off in a moan—did Carlisle realize what he'd done. He released Edward instantly and scooted away just as Edward sat up, walking backward on his knees.

Carlisle stood up, not sure what to think or do. He wanted to apologize, but he kind of also didn't. For one thing, he knew for a fact Edward didn't mind. For another…

Edward's eyes were locked on his, the green gone dark with lust and desire. Carlisle could see something warring there, and knew exactly what Edward was thinking the next moment. Sitting up straight, keeping his eyes on Carlisle's, Edward locked his arms behind his back—the pose he'd always assumed as a sub awaiting instructions from his Dom.

Carlisle's heart beat out of control. His body went rigid. God, yes. Yes, of course this was what he wanted. His boy was so lovely like this, waiting to please and be pleased. And holy God, how much Carlisle had missed this. He didn't realize how much he'd missed it.

But could he let go? He was still so much in his own head, second guessing. He remembered the feel of the belt, the paddle, the fucking tawse in his hand, raining blow after blow, making Edward's pale skin glow bright red.

This wasn't about that. Not really. And besides, couldn't he remember everything else? Couldn't he remember Edward's release, the catharsis, the proud way he strutted around the house afterwards with his marks on full display? He wanted so much to let go, let himself be immersed in the unique closeness the scene brought on.

This was his husband. The love of his life, and the father of his children. He stared up at Carlisle, his eyes dark with love and total trust. Carlisle knew he would never hurt this man. He could never hurt him. It went against the very fiber of his being. And if Edward trusted that…

Carlisle swallowed hard and reached out with an unsteady hand to stroke Edward's hair. He let his hand skim down to cup Edward's cheek and brushed his thumb over his lip. His eyes still on Carlisle, Edward darted his tongue out to kiss and lick Carlisle's thumb.

"Baby boy," Carlisle whispered. "You're so pretty like this, do you know that?"

He took a step back and cleared his throat. "Stand up," he said, his tone commanding. He heard Edward suck in a sharp breath as he got to his feet.

Carlisle sat down on the couch, spreading his arms wide over the back of the sofa. He crossed his leg. "Strip."

Edward's lips quirked, but he did as he was told. He kept his eyes on Carlisle, his smirk becoming more confident as he unbuttoned his shirt. By the time he'd taken off his pants and underwear, his cock stood at attention.

He wasn't the only one. Carlisle shifted, putting both feet on the ground as he fought his own smile. Christ, his husband was a good-looking man. He swallowed down the lump in his throat and licked his lips. "Good boy," he said, his voice low now. "Come here."

Edward stepped forward. Carlisle rested his hand on the back of Edward's knee and devoured him with his eyes. He had the urge to lick and kiss every inch of his skin.

Edward laughed. "That tickles," he said, squirming as Carlisle brushed his fingers along the backs of his legs and traced the shape of his ass.

"Quiet," Carlisle said.

Edward's laugh fell. He ducked his head. "Sorry, Daddy."

It was all Carlisle could do to keep his grin from spreading out of control. He took Edward's hand and pulled him forward, guiding him to straddle his lap.

"Now," Carlisle said, resuming his light touch. "I don't want to hear a single sound from you, little one. Do you understand?"

Edward opened his mouth but caught himself. He closed it again and nodded.

"Good boy," he said, stroking Edward's back. He tilted his head, pressing slow, soft kisses along his chest. "If you can keep quiet." He swirled his tongue around Edward's nipple. "You'll be very handsomely rewarded."

It was strange. Carlisle had been the one to teach Edward it was okay to embrace the soft stuff, yet his head had gotten stuck in the more edgy area of their scene. He'd forgotten this. He'd forgotten about how he could make the world fade away, dwindle to just the two of them, with something as simple as touch. Nothing in the world mattered. Carlisle was focused on this one man.

He focused on Edward's breath—ragged now. His lips were parted, his tongue playing at the corner of his mouth. His skin was flushed. He writhed under Carlisle's fingers—taking advantage of the fact he hadn't been instructed to keep still.

He was focused on Edward's body—the way it responded to his touch. He tweaked Edward's nipples. Edward threw his head back, but caught the little cry before it could be vocalized.

He focused on Edward's needs. His boy's eyes had rolled into the back of his head. There was that look—the one he'd glimpsed here and there whenever Carlisle had taken the initiative, had been just the slightest bit kinky. This was what Edward craved, what he needed. It brought him peace, personal contentment, and incredible pleasure.

This was right and good.

Carlisle stood up, cupping his hands under Edward's ass. Edward wrapped his legs around him, and kissed his neck as he carried him upstairs. "You're a very good boy, baby," Carlisle said, laying him down on the bed.

He stood up, slowly taking his clothes off as he stared down at his breathless husband. He saw Edward's eyes linger on his cock, and had to stop himself from moaning when Edward licked his lips. Carlisle stroked himself. "Is this what you want, baby?"

Edward's eyes darted to his. He opened his mouth and closed it again.

Carlisle grinned. "So good, little one. You can speak."

"Please, Daddy. Please. I want you now."

Carlisle was over him in an instant, kissing him hard. "You want me inside you, baby?"

"Yes, please."

Carlisle sucked at his neck. "What my baby wants…"

He made love to his beautiful boy, promising with his body to love him and take care of him, no matter what their lives brought them next.

A/N: There will be an epilogue and at least one outtake, so I'll save my mushiness for later. Suffice it to say that JessyPT, Mina, Packy, Barburella, and songster are my life now. They make my docs a wonderful place.

And you, my lovely readers, make my inbox a wonderful place. Our story is told. How are we feeling?