A/N: We own nothing but the plot. Reviews appreciated. Happy reading.

~o0o~
~ Epilogue ~
~ By Spudzmom ~

Bella sighed in exasperation as she picked up yet another toy from the staircase. How was she to get the house ready for guests when she was constantly picking up after their rambunctious boys? It certainly wasn't leaving her the time to get all the food ready, that was for sure. At least she'd already made most of it. All she needed to finish, really, were the finger foods that she wanted to set out so that no one would starve before dinner.

It was a special day and she really wanted everything to be perfect. It was the first time that their Phoenix group would reunite completely and she couldn't be more excited. They had tried in all the years past, but it just hadn't worked out. This year, everyone would make it. Pete's parents were coming too and that just added another layer to her nerves, but in a good way.

She glanced up the stairs at the trail of Lego blocks and growled. "Peter! Where are you?! It would certainly be nice if you could keep track of your sons so that I can get things ready for our guests!"

She saw him poke his head out of his study, a smirk on his gorgeous face, his vivid blue eyes shining with mirth. "Baby, I was just catching up with Jasper. What were you saying?"

She sighed and hung her head, her hands on her hips as she stared down at the carpet, praying for patience. She loved the men in her life more than anything, but it was days like today that tempted her to hang them from hooks on the wall. "I said…" her head snapped up as the smell of smoke reached her sensitive nose and her eyes widened. "Shit!"

She spun and took off for the living room, praying that it wasn't what she feared. She heard Pete and Jasper follow just as she skidded around the corner, a cry of dismay leaving her. "Petey! What have you done?!"

The little five year old replica of his father looked down in shame as he toe'd the rug, his hands clasped behind his back. "I didn't mean to mommy. It's just that Jaden made me so mad! He took my truck, even though he has his own, and wouldn't give it back!" He now looked outraged and she sighed as she crossed the room and picked up three year old, dark-haired Jaden whose bright blue eyes were busy taking everything in as Uncle Jasper put out the fire on the couch and his daddy picked up his brother.

Pete reached for his other son. "Give him to me baby. I'll set up their games for them in the play room and come back and help with the mess." He took Jaden in his other arm, gave his distraught wife a sweet kiss and headed up stairs to settle his sons.

She looked at the scorched couch in despair. How the hell was she supposed to entertain guests now? The sound of Jasper's calm voice brought her from her morose thoughts.

"Got a large throw Bells? A spell or two and the smoke smell will be gone and then we just cover it with the throw. No one the wiser. It'll do for now anyway, until you can get it replaced."

She smiled a small, grateful smile. "You're right, and besides, all our guests, with the exception of Pete's parents, are used to our weirdness."

He smirked. "Yep. I still remember that first fire I had to put out…"

She pointed her finger. "That's about enough from you I think." Then she couldn't help it, she cracked a smile and then laughed. "I'll be damned if the sacrifice of that lamp wasn't worth it and much more besides." She sighed at the memory. "It was just… and he was…"

Jasper held up a hand. "Whoa there darlin". Just stop right there! I really don't need the details." He laughed as she blushed, a smile on her face.

"Fine, you chicken. But it was…"

He walked out quickly, fingers in his ears. "La,la,la! I can't hear you!"

She laughed and yelled after him. "You brought it up mister!"

She turned as Alice walked in with a bag of last-minute groceries. "Brought what up Bells?"

Bella stared off into the distance, thinking to herself how perfect her life was and how blessed she was, despite the frustrations. She smiled a soft smile as she looked at Alice. "Memories Ali… Just sweet memories."

~ Fin