Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot of the Twilight Saga are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. The storyline of Tangled Hearts is all mine.

WARNING: This story is M+ rated so if you are not over the age of 18+ please do not read any further.

I would like to thank both Kasi (TeamAllTwilight) and Liz (momma2fan) my pre-readers and betas that have graciously offered to help me with my story.

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Tangled Hearts – Chapter 11

A baby is born with the need to be love and never outgrows it.

June 2010

BPOV

I'd never had such an entertaining time in Central Park before. The twins were so funny. I never realized that two little ones could entertain me the way that they did. I always knew kids were inquisitive but the twins seemed even more so and they always kept me on my toes.

It had been three days since I had seen Edward and the twins. I went to Edward's house again, as I felt this would be easier on them, they knew Edward's house and were comfortable there. I felt they needed that more than anything.

It was now Saturday and I was having my family over for lunch. I was looking forward to sitting out in my small garden and enjoying the sun with them. I was not doing anything special today, just a small BBQ and salads and I was nearly done with everything. I had the meat marinating and the salads were waiting in the fridge with the dressing, desert, my grandmother's famous tiramisu, was also cooling in the fridge.

All I had left to do was set the table in the garden where the flowers were in full bloom. I had planted different color Starclusters, Impatients, Salvias and my much needed herb garden. I was looking forward to a relaxing afternoon with my family and friends. Monday I was going to start with AI and I was getting a little anxious.

I needed my family around me going into this and I knew this was a good time for us all to get together. My parents were staying with me for the week; they were going to come with me for my appointment on Monday with Dr. Cullen. They were worried about the side effects of the hormones and wanted to sit in on the appointment. I was grateful that my mother was going to be there with me – my father, not so much.

I did not have time to dwell on the situation as the doorbell chimed. I finished pulling the dishes and cutlery from the drawers and went to answer the door.

As I opened it, I was surprised to see everyone had arrived at once, this had to be a first for me, as I stood aside and kissed and hugged everyone that came through the door. I could hear the kids running through the house out to the back patio. I walked behind everyone and into the kitchen. I started handing out the plates, cutlery, glasses and food. They men went out to keep an eye on the kids and start up the BBQ.

"How was your week mom? Did you get everything finished so you can stay with me for the week?"

"I can't believe how quick the week passed, all I can remember is one day it was Monday and the next I was packing and closing up the house to come here. Where did all the hours go?" Renee said with a chuckle. "Your father is upset he is missing his fishing trip with the men, but I am sure he will survive, they are all going out again the week after next. Sometimes I wonder about where his head is at, it was like the earth was coming to an end! He is such a child sometimes."

We were all laughing when dad walked through the door.

"Renee are you spreading untruths about me? I did not think the world was coming to an end just because I could not go fishing with Graham and Bruce. I just asked if I could come home early, that is all. You said no, so I am not going anywhere. I am here one hundred percent for our child and I would not miss this for the world."

"Oh hush honey, you will make Bella blush." Mum was right, I was bright red from being the focus of attention.

"Okay ladies I am going to keep an eye on those two out there, make sure that no one messes up the steaks. I just came in here to find out how everyone wanted theirs cooked," Dad stated.

We all rattled of our orders to him and he exited the kitchen to tell Garrett and Peter. We ladies stayed in the kitchen to catch up on how everyone's week had been since last weekend.

Charlotte was telling us about a trial she was in the middle of, she would never give us any clues on whom the person was, no names, age, race, religion, or even what the case was about, apart from what happened in court. From what I could make out, she was doing pro-bono work for a person and one of the prosecutor's witnesses got up on the stand while he was drunk and high – he was laughing about all the details he was giving to the jury. In the end the judge asked the witness to step down, sober up, and come soon as he was making sense and or willing to give any useful information. The judge then proceeded to tear into the prosecutor and asked him to call his next witness.

She had us in fits of laughter. She did a role-play of the witness and what he was telling everyone in the courtroom. Once all our laughter died down, she did say she felt sorry for the Angela. Charlotte was talking to Angela after the day's events and told us she was done with being a prosecutor. She was looking at jumping ship and going to a private firm.

I could not blame her, going to school all those years to be made a fool of in court is not wonderful. I understand that being a prosecutor is a hard job and sometimes you get real lucky and win. However it seems sometimes all the cards a stacked against you and people get off, or worse yet, the other happens and the wrong person is sentenced. It is defiantly a catch twenty-two situation.

"Char, are you going to talk to Roger and see if you can find her something at your firm? I think it would be a waste to miss out on someone like Angela. She did graduate Summa Cum Laud and I do have to say her valedictorian speech was funny, probably the best out of all the graduations we attended."

We all started laughing at that one.

"I have already spoken to him. Once the case is over he is going to call her and offer her a job. We are being swamped at the moment with cases and not enough staff. The interns are friggen useless. I mean they do come through every now and again, but not enough."

"Oh sweetie, good help is always hard to find. My father always said 'pay peanuts, you get monkeys'. It's so true these day's, young kids just don't have the respect they used to. Why do you think I retired? I had enough of being told: 'Miss you can't do that, or I am going to tell my parents and you will be fired.' How does the youth of today expect to be respected when they can't even be respectful themselves? I know Bella, I am generalizing, but I have every right to!" Wow when mom gets started, there is no stopping her. Yes I understand where she is coming from, some kids can be disrespectful. But some kids have been brought up with values and manners. It is an argument that will never be resolved with any generation. There are always people that are out there that feel they can treat people anyway they want. One day someone with bigger balls will always cut them down to size, and they will find out how harsh the real world can be!

Mom then started telling us this story from Forks. "Bella you remember that kid named Steven from school?"

I nodded.

"Kate and Char, he was the town bully. He was always beating up someone for something, well the tides have changed in his world. His young son now goes to school and he is getting picked on. Steven is at his wits end about the bullying his son is going through. The principal, Mrs. Cope, told him to toughen up once because now he knew what the kids he was bullying were feeling. In the end she did do something, which I commend her on, but I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when she told him that. See, karma always gets you in the end."

Mom loved telling that story. I know for a fact that Steven started apologizing to all the people he had ever bullied when he was a child, hoping to bring some peace into his child's life. I could never imagine having to tell your six-year-old son why the other children's parents hated his father. Forks is a small town but people have long memories.

Over time the topic had changed from school bullies back to how everyone else's week had been and by the time we had finished, my father had come in to let us know that the steaks were nearly ready. I pulled the salads out and dressed them and we all took what we could out to the table. Kate and I went back in to get the drinks for everyone while mom and Char got the kids organized.

The conversation then turned to the kids and what they had been doing at school and at their after school activities. Amanda and Courtney had started their horse riding lessons again, while Christian and Lucca were enjoying football in the park with friends. They had all started speaking at once at how well they were doing.

We were all laughing at the stories the kids were telling us. I could tell the parents had heard them all before by some of the eye rolls and fake laughs that were going on. I loved catching up with the kids; they always had entertaining stories to tell me about.

Once lunch was finished, I brought out the dessert for the kids. I had made ice cream for them all, as it was a quick and easy deser. While they were all tucking into it, I started clearing the table and getting the dishes in the dishwasher. My dad cleaned down the BBQ for me. Kate and mom brought in the last of the bowls from the kids and I started the dishwasher. Once I had done this, I got the tiramisu out and started the coffee while Char set the kids up with a movie; I had bought Toy Story 3 for them to watch as it had only just been released a few days ago.

Once we were all situated again with our coffee and desert, it was time for the gown-ups to talk. Char never being a person to beat around the bush started straight away.

"Bella, are you sure this is what you want to do? Are you really going to go ahead and start hormone treatment on Monday?"

"I am going to be brutally honest with all of you! I won't lie I am scared, worried, but flat out know this is what I want to do. I have put my life on hold for long enough. Yes, I can wait until I am in the perfect relationship again and with someone I love, but who is to say that I am going to meet him any time soon. I am not getting any younger and every year I put off having children the more of a strain I will put on my body and the odds of having a healthy child fall." I was not sure if I should say what I wanted to next but I was going to throw it out there anyway. "Char and Kate I understand where you are coming from when it comes to finding Mr. Perfect, or Mr. Close to Perfect, but everyday people are bringing children into this that are not loved are abused. There are women out there having one night stands, getting pregnant, and yhey don't know who the father is. Are they any less loved? Do they miss out on the love they need, the protection they require? No they don't!" I had said my piece but they knew I was not finished. I wanted to know what everyone was thinking, so I stayed silent.

It had probably been about five minutes before Kate spoke next.

"Bella, I understand where you are coming from, but what happens if Edward hands custody over to you, will you be able to handle the twins as well as a new borne?"

"At this stage I don't think Edward knows what he really wants. To me I think he is trying to find out what is best for him with, while keeping in mind what is best for the twins. I personally feel he is what they really need. He just needs to believe in himself, and at this stage he does not. He is too invested in the pain he is going through to make any rational decisions. I will be there to help him through everything for now, but I will not take those kids from him while he is thinking irrationally. He needs them just as much as they need him. He just needs to realize it."

"Wow, it sounds like you know him," Garrett said.

"I have seen him only once since last weekend, but we have talked quite a bit. I have to say that I am glad he is going to counseling. I know it is going to take him a while to get in to the right frame of mind. I'm hoping that he will then have a change of heart. Besides, I don't want to get my hopes up about the twins and then have them crushed because he has had a change of heart. I have put a lot of thought into this decision and that is why I am still going to go ahead with my plans. And if things change I will just have to adapt."

I had been watching my father while I was talking and I could tell he had something on his mind. I knew he did not want to voice it in front of everyone but I was going to call him out on it. I knew how my family worked and if my father had a question, I was sure others were thinking it.

"Dad you are sitting over there deep in thought. Just ask me the question. I am sure someone here would eventually want the same answer you do." I watched my father's face a few minutes longer and I could see he was thinking of the best way to ask the question without hurting my feelings.

"Bella, you know I love you and will support you no matter what your decision is, but what happens if this baby is the small percentile that you were talking about. What if the baby you are inseminated with ends up having problems? What would you do? How will you handle something like that? You are spending all this money to be artificially inseminated. Putting undue stress on your body from these hormones you will be taking. Are there any guarantees that the baby you will have will be healthy?"

To say I had never thought about that would be lying to my family, and myself. It was a risk. Anything to do with medicine was a risk in my book. How many people died each year from having normal every day procedures inside a hospital?

"I have spoken with Carlisle at length about this. I have also done my own research. There was a study done in Europe where they had over eleven thousand patients inseminated and out of that less than one percent had to terminate their babies because of malformations, whether it be heart problems, Downs Syndrome or chromosomal abnormalities. This went up to one and a half percent for women over the age of thirty-eight. What I found interesting was that they also studied the same amount of natural conceptions, and the percentage of these malformations was just under half a percent less but the same rate for the older ladies. So either way there is a risk whether you have the child with natural or artificial conception."

"What about multiple births Bella, could you really handle two or three babies by yourself?" Peter asked.

"I don't even think two parents can handle more than one baby successfully. Those parents adapt to the situation they are faced with. They make schedules and stick as close to them as possible. You can only be so prepared for a baby, there is always going to be hurdles, and if I have a multiple pregnancy, I will just have to adapt to it. You all know me well enough to know that if this does happen, I will be as prepared as I possibly can and if I need help I will ask for it, or get some. I am fortunate that I can hire a nanny to help me through the day, but I will not hire a nanny to look after my kids. I am bringing a child or children into this world, it is my responsibility to look after them. Yes I am fortunate that I work from home and I write stories. Some families don't have that luxury, but I have worked hard for this reason. If I had a partner, yes it would be that little bit easier, but I don't, so I am not going to dwell on it."

"It sounds like you have thought of everything sweetie and I am sure that we are all here to help you with whatever we can. So tell us more about Edward." My mother could not help herself, she was always nosy about my relationships and this time was no different, not that I thought I was in a relationship, or even had a friendship with Edward, but she would not let up until I tell her something.

"At the moment I feel that Edward is being a little selfish. Don't get me wrong, I understand what he has been though with the death of his parents, and now his only other sibling. But he has to understand his brother made him guardian of those two precious kids for a reason, and if he is not careful he will wake one day and regret his decision. He needs to think long and hard about the situation he is in and at the moment he is only thinking of himself." I understand I was being a bit harsh when I was fortunate to have my family around me, but he was the same.

"Bella… that is a bit insensitive, he has lost everything. I can't imagine losing my parents in an unfortunate accident and then to lose your only bother as well. He is going to have a lot to work through," Kate said.

"Kate, I said I understood what he was going through, but he also has to consider the twins. Can you imagine being three years of age and waking up and everything you knew does not exist anymore? The person that is now looking after you, you barely know, because he has been New York's most eligible bachelor for the last how many years. He only saw them when he needed too. He is a complete stranger to those kids." I was getting angry for defending my beliefs. "He has a wonderful support system. Just like I do. I am sure that Alice, Rose, and even Esme would help him out. He has Jasper, Emmett, and Carlisle to guide him in the right direction with looking after the twins. I feel he just doesn't want to give up his playboy life style. Not even to take on the responsibility that his brother thought he was worthy off. There is a reason he has done it, whether it is to make him grow up or understand the value of his worth. I'm not sure but there is a reason. We will never know what it is because his brother and his sister-in-law are no longer here to explain it to Edward."

"Bella you have to realize it cannot be easy for someone that has lived his life so carefree to just put that aside. His only responsibility has been to himself. Now he is forced not only to cope with his brother's death, but also raise two precious children. From what I can gather from talking with Carlisle he has never gotten over his parent's death. This is going to be a long road for Edward, and a little understanding from you will help him." My father was always the rational one, and the one to make me see sense.

"Dad, I understand where you are coming from, I really do, but at some stage we all have to grow up. We all have to take on some sort of responsibilities. The only responsibility he has had is to himself! I know, I have no idea what stress he faces with his job and I cannot imagine what it would be like to hold someone's heart in your hands all day long, and make sure that they stay alive on your table, day in and day out. I am sure he would need to wind down after a day like that. I am sure any of us that were in his position would need a drink after that. All I am saying is now he has to realize there is more to life than him and his work. There are people out there who would do anything to be in his shoes. People that pay a lot of money to have what has fallen into his lap and all he is worried about is what he is giving up and what now he has to look after. I mean what he is giving up personally?" What I really wanted to say was that he had to give up his list of floozies, but I could not say that in front of my father. "He is not looking at what he is gaining, that is all I am saying."

Everyone was quiet, after I got off my soapbox. I was sure I went a little over board with what I had said, but I was angry with Edwards after the other night. We had talked at great length about what was happening to him after the twins went to bed. I had to agree, he was working through everything and seeking help. He did gain a few points for that, but he still had a long way to go. To me he was a cocky, smug, selfish bastard, who had everything handed to him on a silver platter. I honestly felt he needed to get knocked down a peg or two. I was not sure if I was the person to do it, but I was not going to put up with his crap.

Moving up to other topic, focusing on what was happening in everyone week. It was nice to catch up with everyone and enjoy the ending of the weekend. I was saying goodbye to everyone while my mother and father cleaned the dessert dishes. I knew my father had more to say about what we were talking about during lunch, but I was really getting tired of everyone feeling sorry for Edward.

As I closed the door and walked back into the kitchen, I could hear my father whispering to mom.

"Really sweetheart, I do understand where Bella is coming from. It just can't be easy to lose your parents in an accident, and then your brother and his wife in another, that messes people up. It could take a long time for Edward to get over all of this heartbreak. I am not sure if Bella can handle two little ones and bring another child into this world, all on her own."

I stood against the wall listening to what they were saying. I hated spying behind my parent's back, but I wanted to know what they were really thinking.

"Charlie, we have to stand by our daughter. If she feels she can do this, then we will be here to support her. As long as she looks after herself, that's all that matters to me. I know you worry about your baby girl Charlie, but she really is an impeccable woman. Look at what she has achieved in such a small amount of time. If anyone can help Edward through this, you know it will be her."

"You're right honey, I just worry about her. I worry that she will take too much on with the hormones she will be starting this week. Helping Edward with his problems, and thinking about taking twins on as well is a lot. Then let's not forget that she is launching her two new novels soon. All of that compiled is a lot on any one person's plate! I wish she would put off having the baby, until she has helped Edward out. However, I know that once she puts her mind to something, she always sees it through."

It was time I made myself seen. I did not want my father to worry about me like this after what I had been though with Felix. I could do anything, and helping Edward realize that he really did want the twins would be a piece of cake. Anything I would face in the future would be golden compared to what I dealt with concerning Felix.

"Hey mom, you did not need to do that, I could have done it after everyone had left. Here let me take over and you and dad make a pot of tea and sit out on the terrace."

"Bella, I am capable of doing a little washing, and I am nearly done. Why don't you make us a nice pot of tea and take it out to the terrace." I was not going to argue with the woman.

As I busied myself with making tea, I could feel my dad's eyes on me. I knew he needed to say something. I knew my dad, and he was always pensive when he needed to get something off his chest. I waited for him; there was no point in rushing the man.

"Let me help you take this out to the terrace kiddo."

I followed my father out into the garden, turning on the garden lights as I went. I had the gardener put fairy lights inside the topiary trees, and soft lighting throughout the entire area. It was my little slice of heaven and it to me, and it was calming to me.

We sat quietly there in the garden, just enjoying each other's company. I loved the fact that my father and I could just sit and be peaceful, without unnecessary chatter. Unlike my mother, who hated silence. Mom would always find it necessary to fill the quiet peacefulness with useless information.

I was halfway through my peppermint tea, when my father finally spoke.

"Bella, I understand why you are doing this, but I need to ask you some questions and I would like honest and straight answers from you."

I just nodded, I knew my father well enough to know that there was no getting around whatever he had on his mind.

My father sighed, "What happens if you meet someone? What will you tell him when you do, about the child you are about to have?"

"First, Daddy I want you to be happy with the decision I am making. I need you on my side for this. If you are not happy with this choice I need you to tell me." I looked into my father's eyes and all I saw was love and understanding. I gathered all he needed was some more answers and I was happy to give him those. "I will tell him the truth, that I had this child by AI. I will explain to him that I was ready to start my family without a man present in my life. There are benefits for him when you look at it. There is no other man involved, so he won't have to worry about an over protective father, or have to contend with someone else's rules. If we do end up in a relationship and it ends up turning to marriage, I would be more than happy for him to take on the father role to this child. I would be more than happy for him to adopt the child that I have."

I left it there for now, I wanted it to sit out there and let my father digest what I was thinking about. I knew that when, or if, another man came into my life. I would have to explain about this child I was about to have. It was not like I was going and having a one-night stand and not tell the person I was only using him for his sperm. I would never know who this child's father was. He was a number in a well-documented catalogue and that would be the hardest information I would ever have to give this child. When he or she asked whom their real father was, but I would cross that bridge when and if it came to it.

"What if the man you meet does not want to adopt the child and actually resents the child?"

"Daddy that is an easy one. If that happened, he is not the right man for me! You see daddy, this baby will be a gift. And any man that does not love this child as much as I do is no man to be in my life. I need someone that is going to enjoy being around this child. Someone that will protect it as much as I will. Someone that will take him, if it happens to be a boy, under his wing and show him what is like to be a man. Show him to treat a lady correctly, to have the correct manners, and to be honorable in all aspects of life. I would like this man to embrace this little boy and take him to his sports games, show him how to hook his line and bait it, teach him to read and write. To go camping and enjoy this child's gifts, whether it be sports, music, or art. All the aspects that I would do as well. I know that sometimes a boy needs a daddy to show him, but I will manage without a man too. Yes the little boy would get a lot of help from his grandpa, Peter, and Garrett, but sometimes they just need a daddy, and I understand this as well."

I watched my father's eyes as I explained this to him, "If I happen to have a girl, she will need her daddy to be her protector. She will need him to show her and teach her, how she should be treated later in life. Us girls look up to our daddies, and we do actually try and find a man just like him, even if we do it unconsciously. We want someone that will teach us the wrong and right of the world, how to protect ourselves and be strong. Our daddies are our protectors in every way shape and form. That is what he will need to be for my little girl. He needs to also be in-tune with his feminine side…" I actually had to laugh at the scene playing out in my head, and all the things I put my father through. "He needs to be able to let her put make-up on, and still realize that he is a man's man. Sit down and have tea parties with feather boas, crazy hats, and even don high-heels that are too small for his large feet, – yet sit there and take the wrath from his wife for stretching her shoes." I could hear my father chuckling when I repeated this particular memory to him as well.

"Those shoe cost me a fortune, Bella. Just you wait until that happens to your favorite pair of Yves Saint Laurent's!" I had not realize my mother had sat down at the table.

"Mom, you know if I ever have a little girl, I will put a lock on my closet. There is no way anyone is going near my shoe collection!" We all broke out laughing and I really did hope my father got where I was coming from.

When we had calmed down again, I looked over to my dad. "Anything else on your mind? We have started talking so let's get it all out in the open, daddy."

"Actually I have a question for you." My mother piped up. I nodded for her to go on. "When did you start having feelings for Edward?"

I stared at my mother as if she had two heads. What the hell was she talking about!

"What the… mom! I do not have feelings for Edward. What have you been smoking this evening, and where can I get some? You are hallucinating!" I was dumbfounded that my mother could come up with such an accusation. Yes I will admit, Edward was a very good-looking man, but there has to be more than that and at the moment Edward was in a very dark place. Neither of us would benefit from even starting a relationship, not that I was thinking about it. It was one of the furthest thoughts from my mind. My mother must be smoking crack since she's making comments like that.

She started laughing. "That's what I thought you would say, neither of you have even realized it yet, but that is okay, it will happen one day and I can't wait to see it." My insightful mother looked smugly between my father and I. I looked at my daddy and he just rolled his eyes. "Renee have you lost all your marbles or are there some still rattling around up top?"

"Oh, hush now love, I know you see it as well. You just don't want to admit it. I noticed you staring at the boy last weekend, you were ready to go over there and give him your, 'I am a former Police Chief and I know how to hide your body!' speech, and it was on the tip of your tongue. So don't tell me I have lost my marbles!"

By this stage I had tuned them both out, they were both as idiotic as ever, and I was not taking that train to 'crackers town' with them. "Okay you two, that is enough. Are there any other questions you have for me about this topic?" I wanted to get this over with. I needed them both on my side for Monday.

"Are you one hundred percent sure this is what you want to do? Are you sure you don't want to wait until you find your other half, the man that will be with you through all of this? I understand you are ready, but are you sure you don't want to wait?" My father was always my sense of reason. I can always trust him to hit me with the harder questions.

"I am sure daddy. I know that I am ready. I have not made this decision without due consideration. I have put a lot of deliberation into this and I have even done a pro's and con's list. I know I am ready, and if someone turns up before I actually get inseminated, then I'll cross that bridge when it happens. I have a few months before I get inseminated and you never know what will happen. I am keeping an open mind on all aspects of this journey I am taking, and I could not do it without the both of you."

"Okay baby, I am here to support you and stand by any decision you make. If you need to talk or just run anything by me or your mother, we will be here to listen and not judge," Charlie said.

"You might change your mind in a few weeks dad."

My father then stood up from his chair come over and kissed the top of my head. He then moved my face so I was looking into his eyes. I saw nothing but love and acceptance of my decision. "You might send us crazy with the hormones you are going to be taking, but I will always put you first baby girl. Even though you don't need me as much as you used to, I am hear for you whenever you do. I will be your pillar of strength. I love you Isabella and I only want what is best for you. I know you have not made this evaluation of your life flippantly and your mother and I have observed the changes you have made. I know you are organized and well equipped to take this next chapter on. You will make a beautiful, gifted and strong mother and I for one can't wait to see it happen."

I know I had tears brimming in my eyes, my daddy always knew what to say and when to say it. He was never a man of many words but when he did, they were always profound and always surprised me.

"Well on that note Charlie, I feel that we should let Bella go to bed. We have a big week, and I for one do not want to be tired. I love you Bella and I shall see you in the morning." My mother kissed my cheek good night and left. My daddy kissed my other side and went to start taking in the cups.

"Don't worry about it daddy, I have it. You follow mom up and thank you so much for making me feel so loved and unique." I hugged him for a little longer. I just needed to feel his strong and powerful arms around me, protecting me from the rest of the world. Like all daddies are supposed to!

After he left I sat in my little slice of heaven a little longer. I was content and blissful, knowing that this week a new existence would take hold of my life, and I was more than overjoyed to let it exist within me. I was ready to bring another life into this world. As Josephine Billing said 'To the world, you may be just one person; but to one person, you may be the world,' and I was ready for that.