Here's another chapter. Hope you like it. Thanks to all of you for reading and reviewing. I can't believed I've passed 250 reviews. You are AMAZING!!!! Please read my AN at the bottom, it's really important. Review please.
Chapter 15
Bella's POV
After the kids had lunch we headed to the Cullen's house. I parked in their drive way and before I could knock Alice had already opened the door. I already missed Edward so much. I guess that we had a lot to make up for. Five years. Five years of longing and pain that were finally over.
"Hello!" I said entering the living room with the kids behind me.
"Hello Bella. How are you?" Esme asked hugging me.
"Fine, thank you." I replied while the kids went to kiss and hug Esme. It looked like they were finally accepting the Cullens. Lizzie was the one who felt more comfortable with them. While Luke and Lilly stayed by my side she ran to Emmett who lifted her up in the air. Then she went to sit on Rosalie's lap and started playing with her golden locks. I was ecstatic. This had been all I ever wanted. Edward and I were together again and our kids were starting to look at the Cullens as their family. At least Lizzie was. I knew she would be the first to give in. She has always been the less stubborn. Lilly would be the hardest one but I had faith that she someday would see in the Cullens what I always saw: a family. I noticed Edward was looking lovingly at me and the kids. This was the feeling I had been seeing in Edward's eyes in the past day. The only difference was that now I could already identify it. If I could I would be blushing. This was one of the advantages of being a vampire that I would be eternally thankful for.
I was brought out of my reverie by my ringing cell. I quickly checked the ID before answering. It was Phil, my mom's husband. I had talked with them only a few days ago. Maybe Renée was already missing the kids.
"Hello! How are you?" I asked Phil.
"Not so good." He answered. "Bella your mother is in the hospital. She had a heart attack." I could fell all the happiness I was feeling just a few moments ago leaving me. Judging by the Cullen's reaction I was sure my face matched my feelings. Edward was looking worriedly at me.
"What?" I squeaked. How could this be? Now that everything was going to be fine.
"The doctors are still working on her and I don't have any other information…" He said.
"No. No." I dropped the cell phone and fell on my knees. I started sobbing and shaking. This couldn't be happening. I had already lost my father; I couldn't lose my mother too. I couldn't loose Renée.
I heard someone running to me. I was vaguely aware of what was going on around me. I listened to Edward's velvet voice while he asked Rosalie and Esme to take the kids somewhere else and telling Alice to see who was at the phone.
"This is Alice Cullen, I'm a friend of Bella, may I know who's speaking?" Alice asked anxiously.
Suddenly I felt to strong and familiar arms wrapping around me, keeping me together. I could smell Edward and I hold onto him tightly.
"The… kids…" I managed to ask between sobs. I had heard them scream for me when Esme and Rosalie took them.
"Don't worry love; they're with Esme and Rosalie. What happened, Bella? Please tell me." He begged in a worried tone.
"No! Not her… not her too…" What if Renée died? I wanted to tell him but all I could think of was what was happening. My mother couldn't die. She couldn't!
"It's going to be okay. It doesn't matter what happened I know everything is going to be fine love. Please calm down." He rocked me back and forth but I couldn't stop crying. I was so scared of what could happen. Edward tried to calm me whispering comforting words and kissing my hair.
Alice's POV
While Edward tried to calm Bella down, I attempted to find out what was causing her all this pain. Jasper tried to send waves of calm but it wasn't working. Bella kept sobbing. I remembered that Bella was a shield; I can't see her future anymore unless she lets me so probably the same happens with Jasper.
"This is Alice Cullen, I'm a friend of Bella, may I know who's speaking?" I asked hoping to find out who was at the phone. Edward was holding Bella and talking to her hopping to calm her.
"This is Phil." Phil? Who is...? Then it dawned on me.
"Edward!" I called. He stopped kissing Bella's hair and looked at me expectantly." It's Phil."
"Phil? ... Bella's stepfather?" He asked unsure. I nodded.
"Bella is very nervous and scared would you mind telling us what's happening? Bella won't tell us." I politely asked.
"Renée, Bella's mother, is in the hospital. She had a heart attack. I don't know anything else; the doctors are still with her." He explained. He too was nervous and afraid. This was awful. I'm not surprised Bella's reacting like this. She lost her father just a few years ago and now she can also lose her mother.
"Edward!" I called again. "Renée had a heart attack." He looked at me shocked. Bella only screamed and cried harder. I turned back to the phone. "Thank you Phil, please call if you get more information."
"You're welcome. Please take care of Bella and the kids."
"We will." I ended the call.
"Call Luke, Alice. Tell him to come as soon as possible." Edward asked worried.
I did as he said and looked for Luke's number on Bella's contact list.
"Luke"
"Who is this?" He asked not recognizing my voice.
"Alice Cullen. You have to come to our house right now."
"Why did something happen to the kids? To Bella? I swear if you..." I cut him off. I wasn't in the mood for his
"Bella's stepfather called. Her mother is in hospital. Hurry!"
"I'll be right there." He answered ending the call.
Edward's POV
When Alice told me Renée had had a heart attack and was in the hospital I understood Bella's reaction. I was glad we had gotten back together before this happened; otherwise I wouldn't be able to hold her like I was doing right now.
I know this must be extremely difficult for her. Hell. This is extremely difficult for her. I see the look of pain in her face and I just want to take it away. It hurts me to see her in pain and know that there is nothing I can do to stop it. I can only hold her and be strong for her. She needs me, and this time I'm here.
"Bella, love, please calm down." I tried again to sooth her.
"Edward, what if... what if... she... dies?" She asked breaking down again. I hold her tighter.
"She won't love. There are lots of people that have heart attacks and survive. Until we find out how bad it was there is no way to know what will happen but you have to calm down. Luke is on his way here. I told Alice to call him though we have to talk with the kids. They are worried about you. Please calm down. I begged. Everything will be fine." It looked like she was getting better. She had stopped shaking and her breaths became more controlled. She was making an effort to calm down but I could see in her eyes how much she was suffering.
"You're right. We have to talk with the kids. Thank you so much Edward. Thank you for this." She said eyeing my arms wrapped around her. "I love you." She whispered so that no one else but me could hear. Then she gave a soft and chaste kiss.
"Love you too" I mouthed. I helped her to get up from the ground and enveloped her waist with my arm, pulling her close to me. I led her to the dinning room, where the kids were with Esme and Rosalie. As we entered the room I unwillingly removed my arm from Bella's waist and our kids ran to her.
"What happened mommy? Why were you crying?" Lizzie and Luke questioned.
"Did you do something to her?" Lillian asked turning to me.
"Lillian, this has nothing to do with Edward. Now calm down because mommy has to tell you something." Bella asked them. They immediately quieted.
"What is it mommy?"
"Well, Phil called..."
"Grandpa Phil?"
"Yes. He called telling that grandma Renée had gone to the hospital."
"She's sick?" They asked worried. It was obvious they cared a lot about Renée.
"Yes, her heart is ill so she had to go to the hospital." Bella explained letting a small sob escape from her lips.
"Is she going to be okay?" Lillian asked.
"Or is she going to heaven like Grandpa Charlie?" Lizzie questioned.
"We still don't know but I'm sure she will be fine. She will." I don't know if she was trying to convince the kids or herself. She started sobbing again, though not as violently as before. I just wanted to hug her and kiss her but I couldn't, not while our kids were around, besides they were already hugging her.
"Don't cry mommy. Grandma Renée is strong. She will be okay. I'm sure." Luke said caressing her face.
"I know baby. I know. "
"Bella!" We heard someone call from the living room. It was Luke.
"Stay with Esme and Rosalie for a while mommy will be right back." She said smiling weakly. As soon as we left the living room, Bella broke down again in my arms. I picked her up and carried her to the couch, sitting down a placing her in my lap. I started rubbing soothing circle on her back while Luke came running to us.
"Bells it's okay. She's going to be fine."
"I have to... I ... I have to go there. I... I can't just stay here and wait. I need to see her. I need to go to Florida." She managed to say.
"Are you sure Bella?" Luke asked her.
"Yes. I need to do this. She needs me! I need to be next to her." She insisted, getting up from my lap.
"I'll go with you. You can't go alone!" Luke said. I want to go too. She'll need me.
"No Luke you can't. Who's going to stay with the kids?" Bella reasoned.
"I'm going, Bella." He insisted. Bella seemed desperate.
"I can call Aro and Demetri but I don't know how long it will take them to arrive and I have to go as soon as possible. I..."
"Why don't you let them stay with us?" Alice suggested. Bella looked at her surely thinking about her offer.
"I don't know. You guys are not used to take care of them. Not that I don't trust you it's just that it takes a lot to keep up with them." She quickly explained. "Besides they probably would refuse to stay here with you alone..."
"Bella there's seven of them. If just the two of us could take care of them for four years, I'm sure that the seven of them will handle it, even if they are not used. Besides you could still talk to Aro and he would meet them here when he could."Luke said. "If the Cullens agree, of course." He added rapidly.
"That's perfect!" Alice squealed.
"I want to go with you too Bella." I told her.
"No Edward. If the kids are going to stay here they'll need you. We can't both go."
"Bella, they don't even recognize them as their father..."
"But you are and this is a good chance for you to get to know them and for them to get used to you."
"But you can need me..." I tried to reason.
"They'll need you more. I'll be fine. I promise." How could she say she would be fine when she was so broken, so sad? Though she had a point. I could start to be a father to my kids. I could get to know them and let them know me. Still, just the single thought of being away from Bella made my whole body burn. I had just got her back and she was already leaving. I knew she would come back, but thinking that I would be away from her for God knows how long... Days, weeks, who knows? Alice gave Bella her cell and she quickly dialed a number.
"Aro?" Bella asked.
"Bella! How good it is to hear you. How are you and my little grandchildren?" Wow. I think I had never heard Aro talk like this. He sounded very sincere and truly interested.
"The kids are great but... my mom had a heart attack and she's in hospital. I don't know anything else but I want to go there... I need a favor."
"Of course Bella. I'll do everything I can to help."
"Well, Luke will come with me and I'll leave the kids with the Cullens but I know that they won't stay here alone... I would wait for you to come but I want t leave as soon as possible and I don't when you'd arrive so I thought that maybe you, Demetri and Felix could meet them at the Cullens and stay here with them. The Cullens are okay with it..."
"The Cullens?"
"It's a long story that I'm sure they would be glad to share with you since I won't be here. I'll stay there for at least a week... Renée may need something... after she leaves the hospital..." It was good to see that Bella was trying to be positive.
"It would be a pleasure. I will only be able to be there in three or four days. I wouldn't miss the chance to be with my grandchildren and it's been a while since I saw the Cullens."
"Good then. And thank you so much."
"I already told you it's my pleasure Bella." She ended the call.
"It's set." She announced. "Now I just need to convince the kids." In that moment Esme and Rosalie brought the kids back to the loving room. They greeted Luke and came to sit next to Bella.
"Well..." Bella started. "I'm going to Florida to be with grandma Renée and Uncle Luke is going with me, but you are still too little to go to the hospital..."
"Will we stay with Grandpa Aro and Uncles Felix and Demetri?" Luke asked excited.
"Well they will only arrive in three or four days so you'll be staying with the Cullens until then because mommy has to leave soon. Then Grandpa Aro will meet you here."
"No. Mommy we can't stay with them." Lillian said looking at us. "What if... they take us away?"
"Lillian, I have already told you they are not going to take you away from me. We have already discussed this. Besides even if they did your Uncle Demetri would be able to find them and you. Please Lillian don't make this difficult." Bella pleaded.
"When will you leave?" Luke asked.
"Tonight." Luke (Sr) answered. Bella looked at him surprised. "While you talked to Aro, I called the Airline and bought the tickets on the next flight. It's tonight." He explained.
"So soon!" Lilly exclaimed.
"Well, we have to go then. There's a lot to do. We have to pack their clothes and some toys. We'll bring them after dinner." Bella said.
"Okay." Alice chirped.
Luke took the kids to the car and Bella stayed behind. She approached me and kissed me.
"I love you." She murmured to my ear.
"Love you too." I said burying my face in her hair. We kissed again and she left, waving goodbye to the rest of the family. A minute later I heard a car sped away... and she left. At least she would come again later. Only to leave again and this time for a week. I don't know how I'll be able to handle a entire week without even seeing her.
"This is going to be so exciting!" Alice said. "Esme we have to finish their bedroom." Alice and Esme had been preparing the triplets' room here since they found out they were my kids. It was almost finished and I must say it was wonderful.
***
Bella's POV
Once we got home, Luke and I started arranging everything for the triplets' stay at the Cullen's. We had packed some of their clothes and a few toys while they sat in the living room watching TV. Lizzie and Luke weren't as mad as Lilly. They were indifferent, though I could say Lizzie was a bit excited.
While Luke finished packing our stuff for our flight and bathed the kids, I cooked their dinner. When they finished I cleaned everything and we drove to the Cullens' mansion. When we arrived Alice was waiting at the door.
"They room is ready."
"What?" How did they have time to decorate a room for them?
"Well... Esme and I were working on this since we found out they were Edward's and today after you left we finished it." She led us to the top floor where there were two doors in front of each other. "The door on the right is Edward's room and the one on the left is the kids' room." She opened the door and let us in.
I must say it was amazing. The walls were white but there was several painting hanging on them. There was three beds and, in the corner of the room, a rocking chair, there was also a bookcase. There were two doors, one led to a walk-in closet and the other one to a bathroom. Why would five year olds need a walk-in closet?
"We are going to spoil them Bella." Alice announced. Just what I thought. Luke and I put their bags on the room while the kids stayed there Luke, Alice and I came to the living room.
"So Bella... Is there anything we should know?" Esme asked.
"Well when it's bath time they always fight about who's going first and run around the house, trying to escape. At night I usually tell them a story, sing them a song or just let them see a bit of TV. Oh I brought this." I said handing Edward a backpack.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Some of my shirts. Just in case they wake up with a nightmare or if they can't fall asleep." They looked at me with puzzled expressions.
"If any of this happens give them a shirt." I said
"Bella's smell calms them. Since she's not going to be here we thought that may help." Luke explained.
"Oh!" They exclaimed.
"If you want to put them in bed before you go you better do it now because we'll have to go soon." Luke said. I made my way upstairs followed by Edward, Alice and Luke.
I helped them to dress their pajamas and then Luke and I tucked them in. Alice and Edward watched intently.
"Bye mommy. We'll miss you very much." Lizzie said.
"I'll miss you too but I promise I'll come back really soon. And I'll call every day. You have to be good and behave with the Cullens okay?"
"Okay mommy." They answered. I kissed them and after Luke did it too we left the room and returned to the living room. I could hear my kids' heartbeats slowing down letting me know they were asleep. They must be tired.
As soon as we got to the living room Edward sat in the couch and pulled me to his lap.
"Thank you for letting us stay with them Bella. We'll take good care of them."
"I know Carlisle. I just hope they behave. If you need something call." Edward took my hand and guided me outside.
"I can't believe your leaving love. I'll miss you so much. I don't know if I'll be able to handle all this time without you." He said, looking at me.
"I'll come back as soon as possible. I'll miss you too."
"I'll take good care of our kids, Bella. I promise. I love you."
"I love you too." I replied leaning to kiss him. Every time I kissed him it was like if I was in heaven. Everything was perfect and all my worried vanished. I put my arms around his neck while his found their way to my waist and we held close never breaking the kiss.
"Sorry to interrupt lovebirds but Bella has to leave now." Emmett said. I groaned. Danm! Why did Emmett have to ruin the moment? I hate him right now. Edward seems to agree with me, judging by his face.
"He's right Bella we have to leave otherwise we'll miss our flight." Luke said. I let go of Edward and said goodbye to the rest of the family.
"Call if you need something." I told Edward.
"Don't worry everything will be fine. I love you."
"Love you too." I leaned in to a last kiss and then ran to the car. I was afraid that if I took longer I couldn't leave. It was very hard to leave Edward and the kids but I needed to be with my mom right now. She needed me.
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On Saturday I'll be going on vacation with my parents and I don't know if I'll be able to update in the next two weeks. I'll try but if I do I don't know if I'll be able to post more than one chapter a week. My parents will make me spend the entire day at the beach and I don't think they'll let me stay too long on the computer, when I'm not at the beach. I know this sucks but I hope you understand and patiently wait for my updates. I promise that as soon as I come back I'll be back to my regular updates. Thank you for understanding. You rock! Please don't forget to review. If you have questions don't hesitate and if you detect any mistake please let me know, I can barely open my eyes right now. Thanks. Review please. HUgs.