A/N... I'm sure that this has been a long week for you. Normally, I try to post 2 times a week, but I'd gotten a little behind. Not that I'm all caught up, mind you, but I've made progress. And now it seems the flu is kicking my ass.

Anyway, there are no need for warnings for this chapter. This is pure fluff and family and Bethy. There are some touchy moments, but they're to be expected, I think. Otherwise, this is a fantastic break from killing and torture. I hope you agree. :)

On with it...

CHAPTER 13

EDWARD

There wasn't much that could stop the breath of relief that came with pulling in my own fucking driveway, despite the FBI guards that let us in. The beautiful, fidgety woman at my side in the back seat of Eleazar's SUV couldn't wait, either. Bella was about to burst open at the seams, she needed to see Bethy so badly. I couldn't blame her, because the last time my wife had seen our daughter, she was setting her out a window in order to save her.

The shit with Walter and Lilith was far from over. We still needed to find them, because we'd all promised Eleazar that we'd help. And Bella wanted to catch Lilith, simply to get her off the fucking streets. By now, there was no telling what that crazy bitch was capable of.

Bella's new theory on Lilith was that she killed her youngest child, Bree. She was convinced that it wasn't an accident, that Ashley had simply found her little sister after the fact. Armed with this new line of thinking, Bella ordered Alice to dive into Lilith's life as deep as she could go, stating that in order to stop future issues, we needed to go back to the beginning. We needed to know what made Lilith fall off the deep end mentally. If Walter was using Lilith as a driving vehicle to this shit, then we needed to know everything.

Eleazar was continuing to run the investigation, in cooperation with Benny and Wes. Our suspects – Roy, Earl, Bobby, and Kenny – were now being held in a military facility until further notice. El wanted every single person attached to this threat before he finished prosecuting them, because he wanted them all. I really think he moved Kenny to a military base to keep his ass alive and safe from me. As far as I was concerned, he deserved no less than what his buddy, Rusty, had received. Preferably at my own hand. But they wanted to keep him around to continue to ask him questions. I was pretty sure they were keeping him around to use as bait, but no one had confirmed that suspicion. Kurt, however, wasn't to leave Eleazar's side, at least until he was deemed safe from Walter; there were Feds already guarding his mother and sister, while his father, the good doctor, was awaiting trial.

I slipped my hand over Bella's bouncing knee, and she looked up at me with a pleading face.

"I know. I'm sorry," she giggled lightly.

"Soon, love," I chuckled, leaning in to kiss her head. "In fact... I believe who you're looking for is leading the welcoming committee."

Bella grinned, her head snapping around to look at the front of the house, as Alice, Makenna, Esme, Rose – along with baby Caleb – all waited patiently for us, with Bethy jumping up and down in front of them. I wasn't sure who shot out of the cars quicker – Bella or Emmett – but both were out and running.

"Mommy!" Bethy squealed, breaking away from her Gamma to rush to Bella, who immediately scooped her up to smother her in tears and kisses.

I felt my heart finally settle, finally heal closed at the sight of my girls back together. It was almost an overwhelming feeling, because it had been too long since Bethy had been taken from us, and then right after that, Bella. I shook my head. I needed them here. I needed them home. I needed them together. And I couldn't stop myself from joining them, despite some things that still needed to be discussed with Eleazar and my father.

I stepped around a reunited Alice and Jasper, and Mack and Wes, aiming for Bella, who was forehead to forehead with our little girl.

"Were you good for Gamma and Daddy while I was gone?" my wife sniffled, trying her damnedest to keep from just sobbing.

"Yeah," Bethy breathed, nodding and grinning like a little ray of sunshine. "I helped Daddy wif a mission...and Gamma and I made cookies...and I took bubble baffs."

"What mission?" Bella chuckled, kissing her nose.

"I was Daddy's co-pilot," she stated with a firm, authoritative nod.

"A pilot's got to have someone he can depend on," I added, smiling when my baby squealed, reaching for me.

"Daddy!" she giggled, as Bella handed her over.

Two small hands rubbed my two day stubble as I whispered, "I missed you, little sweetness."

"I missed you, too, Daddy," she whispered right back, tilting her head at me.

"Have you gotten bigger?" I asked with a dramatic frown and wrinkle to my brow, grinning at Bella's laugh, because she knew what was coming.

"No!" Bethy yelled, smiling and squirming in my arms. She pushed at my shoulders, trying to get away, but I wouldn't let her.

"Nope, I'm pretty sure you've gotten bigger, but I have to check to make sure," I told her, bending her upside down so I could blow raspberries on her belly, which was exposed when her shirt drifted up a bit. I rubbed my scruffy face along her navel, just to hear her scream into hysterics.

"D-Daddy, no!" she laughed, finally relenting her grip on my t-shirt and holding my face.

When I straightened back up, I chuckled at her bright red face and panting breaths as she sagged in relief in my arms. "Yep! Definitely bigger," I confirmed, kissing her forehead. I turned to Bella, who was smirking at the two of us. "I want this...just this...tonight," I sighed. "No one else. Nothing else, baby."

"Me, too," Bella agreed softly, locking eyes with me. She turned to Bethy and smiled. "How about a...living room picnic?" she asked.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Bethy chanted, sounding like Alice and turning to me. "I want chilwi dogs, D-Daddy."

"Your wish is my command," I chuckled, shaking my head at her pronunciation of chili.

"Well, that means baths after dinner," Bella muttered wryly, rolling her eyes at my laugh and holding out her arms for Bethy. "Come with me, baby. Daddy's got some work before he sneaks into our pajama party," she said, jerking her chin toward Eleazar, who was pacing on the phone as everyone reunited around him.

Bethy went to her mother happily, looking between us. She was all bright green eyes, her long hair half up and spilling around her shoulders. She looked so fucking content to have both of us in front of her that it was all I could do not to love on her some more. She'd been miserable without Bella home, as was I.

"I know we have to leave security here," Bella said, using a soft tone and locking eyes with me. "But I also know that these people are tired, Edward. They've been working nonstop since...the beginning."

Her careful choice of words on that last sentence reminded me of why we were all working together in the first place. She also didn't want to dredge up anything for Bethy if she didn't have to.

I nodded, letting out a slow breath. "I'll see what I can do. Some of them won't want to stop," I warned her, "but you're right; they should take at least tonight as a breather."

We both stopped our conversation as Bethy reached up and lightly touched the bruise on Bella's face. Her little brow dipped slightly as she asked, "Does it hurt, Mommy?"

"No, baby," Bella said, pulling her curious fingers to her lips. "No. It looks worse than it feels."

"Want me to kiss it?" she asked, shifting around so that she could lean forward, placing her lips to Bella's eye without waiting for an answer. "Better?"

"Perfect, pretty girl," Bella giggled.

I pulled them to me, kissing both their heads, because I couldn't not hold them and I wasn't sure it would ever be enough. "I love you both, so much. Do you know?" I whispered against Bella's forehead.

"Love you, too," they both replied, just making me smile all the more.

God, they were my fucking world, and it was truly just hitting me, now that they were back in my arms, just how fucking close I came to losing one or the both of them. The mere thought scared the shit out of me.

"Go, Edward," Bella urged, kissing my chin. "Just...fill me in later, okay?"

I nodded, swallowing thickly as they turned away from me. I heard Bella say, "Let's help Daddy start dinner, huh?" as she walked into the house.

"Son," my dad stated from my side, and I spun to look at him, his gaze softening at my expression. "I promise not to take you away from that too long, Edward, but we need to talk about the next steps. Give me...an hour?"

I nodded. "Yeah, and then, don't you think everyone needs one night off?"

"El's already told them that. We're to meet back here in twenty-four hours, but he wants to go over security with the teams now."

"Okay," I sighed, knowing that at least I'd have one day to not think about Walter or Lilith or bomb threats. "Let's do this," I grunted, following him and the rest of the team, minus Esme, into Gravity's office.

~oOo~

BELLA

"Here, pretty girl," I said, setting Bethy on a stool in the kitchen so she could draw while I worked. "We'll start the chili for Daddy. He can come in and make it perfect, yeah?"

"Yeah," my baby sighed, grinning at the mention of Edward.

I turned to the fridge, tugging open the door to see it well stocked. "Esme," I sighed, shaking my head.

"I figured one less worry, Bella," she chuckled from behind me, opening her arms when I ran to her. "You look like hell, sweetie," she whispered against my temple, "but at least you're in one piece."

I laughed, truly laughed, for the first time in a few days. Leave it to my mother-in-law to point out the obvious and make it all okay. "Gee, thanks," I scoffed, rolling my eyes and pulling back to look at her. "My self esteem just plummeted."

Esme grinned, waving me away with a smirk. "You know what I meant, silly," she stated, starting to help me in the kitchen.

Edward liked to make some things his own way, but the basics could at least be started for him. Esme and I set about chopping onions, dicing tomatoes, and browning the meat for his chili. I knew Bethy would want macaroni salad, as well, and her big grin as she watched me pour the pasta into the boiling water was my confirmation.

"How was she when she got home?" I asked Esme softly, making sure Bethy was absorbed in her coloring.

"Not a scratch on her," she stated, stirring in the tomatoes. "She's strong, like you, but she clung to Edward like a second skin once he had her back here. Swore he would leave her like you did."

I inhaled sharply, tears blurring my vision. "I had to get her away..."

"She knows that. He explained it to her, Bella. But when she told him where he could find you, they'd already taken you. It was like you left. It's how she saw it."

I nodded, roughly swiping at my tears. "I didn't care what they did to me, but I had to get those girls away from that hotel, Esme."

"It was...the best decision, and one that I couldn't imagine making myself, sweetie," Esme soothed with a kiss to the side of my head.

"How's Abby?" I asked, looking up at her after giving Bethy another glance.

"Benny set it up so that I could observe her on a professional level," she started, pulling down spices from the rack over the sink. "Mrs. Carmichael brought Abby over the day before yesterday. A play date of sorts, but it really was for me to see if all three of them were handling things okay."

"Are they? And what do they know now?"

"They are, and everything," she stated with a shrug at my gasp.

We'd tried so hard to keep Mrs. Carmichael out of the loop, because we didn't want her hurt or involved too closely. It really was for her safety. She was a single mother that worked in retail for a living, so it wasn't like she could handle any of this shit that came her way.

"Wes had no choice but to tell her what really happened," Esme continued, "because Abby blurted out a lot of things once she was in the comfort of her own home. How you came to save her, how 'Mr. Edward' stopped a bad guy, how Kurt gave them doughnuts, but mostly, it was how Bethy kept her...protected. She told her mother that Bethy would stop the 'Mean Man' from bothering them, how she wouldn't let them get separated."

"You got all that from a four year old?" I asked.

"No," she chuckled. "I got it from listening to her mother, and then watching the interaction between Bethy and Abby. Bethy is the stronger of the two, more outgoing. You and Edward made her that way, just by being an example, and even Abby's mother noticed it."

"Mrs. Carmichael is pissed, huh?"

"At first, she was. But Wes explained how you put yourself out there in harm's way to rectify the situation, and he elaborated that it's what you do for a living. When she found out that you had taken the girls' place, she was horrified and offered any help, like babysitting, if you needed it."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Abby was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I think they took them both because Kenny and Rusty were too stupid to tell the difference between the two."

Esme chuckled softly, but her face sobered up just as quickly. "What about you, sweetie? Did they... I mean... are you?"

I smiled and shook my head. "Oh no, I'm fine. I know what you're aiming at, and no... They didn't hurt me that way. They basically just locked me up."

"But this?" she asked, touching my bruised eye and cheek gently.

"Lilith," I sneered, focusing more on stirring my pasta than Esme's expression. "Let's just say that she and I aren't finished."

"Fair enough," she conceded, making me look at her. "I actually wouldn't mind having a word with her myself."

I chuckled, loving the slightly evil look in her eye. "You mean you want root around in her crazy head..."

"Sure, Bells, if that's what you want to call it." She grinned wider when I giggled at her.

"I'm having Alice pull Lilith's history, Esme. Would you take a look at it when she's put it together?"

"Definitely. Now, have you got this? Because if so, I'm going to pack our things. As soon as that little meeting is done out there, I'm getting all of these people out of your house. At least for the night..." she said, giving Bethy a loving gaze. "She needs you two – just you two – tonight."

"Yeah," I sighed contentedly, smiling at my little one, who was happily humming, kicking her feet, and coloring away. "Thanks, Esme."

~oOo~

The chili was simmering slowly, the hotdogs were ready to set on the flat grill, and the macaroni salad was chilling in the fridge when the front screen door opened and slammed back.

"Where are my girls?" Edward growled, and Bethy and I giggled.

"Shh," I told her, pulling the covers up and over our heads as we lay on the makeshift pallet we'd spread out on the living room floor while we were waiting for him to join us.

Thudding boots thumped into the kitchen, and I could hear him check dinner, making him chuckle softly. "Well, they've been busy, anyway," he muttered in humor.

I grinned at Bethy, who had both hands over her mouth to stop from laughing.

"You won't like it if I have to hunt you two down," he warned teasingly. "I believe that's punishable by...tickling."

Bethy squeaked, her eyes wide as she listened to more heavy footfalls. I couldn't help but love how she fell for everything he ever threw at her – every taunt, tease, and innocent threat.

She couldn't take it... the suspense. The hiding was killing her, so she threw back the covers, yelling, "Here, Daddy!"

However, black military boots were right there when she exposed us, and she screamed, squirming off of me to get away. His amusement could barely be contained as he stepped over me to scoop her up.

"Why were you hiding?" he growled into her neck, sitting down next to me and tickling her relentlessly.

She squealed into hysterics, her little hands pushing at his hands to get him to stop.

"Mommy said to!" she confessed breathlessly.

"Oh ho!" Edward sang, his eyebrows shooting up to his hairline. "Mommy, huh?" he asked, setting her on her feet, only to attack my sides.

"Edward, stop!" I laughed, trying to get closer to him and away from him at the same time as I writhed under his fingers. He chuckled, pulling me closer as I breathed, "You're way too overdressed for a slumber party, Daddy. Go change, and I'll start the hotdogs. Then you can make sure your chili is up to scratch."

He smiled, kissing us both before standing up. "Yes, ma'am," he grunted like the soldier he was, and much to his daughter's amusement, he saluted me.

I shook my head and turned to Bethy. "Go wash your hands, baby. We're going to eat soon."

"Okay, Mommy," she chirped.

The sound of little thumping footfalls followed behind heavy masculine ones down the hallway, and my heart just about exploded.

My house had been too fucking quiet without her here. It had felt wrong and off-kilter. Bethy completed Edward and me like nothing ever could. We were really fucking good before, but with her, we were damned near perfect. Edward was silly and fun with her, beaming with pride at just about everything she did, and I could cater to them both, because the minute I'd found out I was pregnant with her, my heart had expanded to a whole other level of love. It was full and just more.

I padded into the kitchen to check the chili and to warm up the flat grill. I could hear Edward tell Bethy to pick a movie, and "not the mermaid one again." I smiled when she debated the benefits of watching it again, but she finally settled for Finding Nemo. I didn't realize there were tears streaming down my face until Edward turned me around to face him in front of the stove.

"Hey, what's this?" he asked, wiping them gently away with his thumbs as a sweet, loving expression took over his handsome face.

"I just fucking missed her," I breathed, shaking my head. "Just all of it. Her chattering, her smell, her...just everything."

I found myself pulled to him and wrapped in warm, strong arms as kisses were dropped to the top of my head. Edward had changed into pajama pants and a wife beater undershirt, and he smelled clean, like the detergent I used, combined with that completely different smell that was just...Edward. I melted into him, allowing his heartbeat next to my ear to settle my very soul.

"The first day I brought her home," he started in a whisper, "I couldn't put her down. I carried her around for hours. And she let me." He chuckled once so very softly. "That 'mission' she told you about... I couldn't not take her with me, because she needed me just as much as I needed her. We flew over the compound to grab recon photos for Alice. Alec strapped her into the co-pilot seat."

I grinned and sniffled at the same time, because I knew Bethy loved nothing more than flying with her daddy. She had to dress like him, wear a baseball cap like him, and I'd even found a little pink headset through Twi Tech for her to be able to hear him.

"So the fact that I just want to squeeze her and kiss her to death isn't wrong?" I asked, sniffling a little more at his laugh.

"Hardly," he said with a grin and a kiss to my forehead. "I feel that way about both of you right now."

"Are you coming, or what?" we heard from the living room, and we both laughed, turning toward the stove.

"No, sweetness," Edward said with a shake of his head, turning me around. "Go be with her. I'll bring this in."

I stood up on my toes and kissed his lips softly, whispering, "I love you."

"Love you, too, baby. Go!" he chuckled, patting my ass and shooing me from his kitchen.

~oOo~

EDWARD

"Do it again, Mommy!" Bethy giggled, her happiness echoing out of the bathroom as I cleaned up the dinner dishes.

My daughter, true to her nature, was a mess by the time she'd eaten one and a half chili dogs. She'd had chili everywhere – on her face, her clothes, her hands. Once she'd stated she was full, Bella had scooped her up, practically setting her fully clothed into the bathtub.

I could hear toys clunking against the side of the tub, my wife's chuckle, and my little girl's innocent chatter. I took a deep breath, letting it out as I braced my arms on the counter. This was how my house was supposed to sound. The excruciating days without one or both of them weren't such a faraway memory. It wouldn't fucking happen again. My only reason for continuing with Eleazar was to insure that Lilith or Walter or anyone else they may recruit would never fucking touch my family again – or anyone else's. And my father was most likely thinking the same thing, because he adored my wife like his own daughter, and there wasn't a fucking thing Bethy could ask of him that he wouldn't give her.

"Okay, silly girl, lean back so we can rinse your hair," Bella chuckled as I finished up with a wipe-down of the counter.

I tossed the rag into the sink, wiped my hands on my pants, and quietly walked down the hall to lean in the doorway. I grinned, shaking my head. Bella's shirt was probably as wet as our slippery girl, as she wrapped Bethy in a big, fluffy pink towel and proceeded to rub her head to get rid of the excess water from her hair. The room was damp, smelling of baby shampoo and soap and just clean little girl.

"Hi, Daddy," she giggled, because she could barely stand up as her mother dried her hair roughly.

"Oh, there you are!" I teased her, sighing with relief. "I couldn't find you under all that chili."

Bella barked a laugh, giving me a wry glance over her shoulder.

"Mommy said I ate l-like a p-pig," she sputtered, grinning with pride.

"Well, next time, we'll just use a trough like Aunt Kate does," I told her with a shrug.

"No!" she argued, laughing as Bella set her on the bath mat to dress her in her favorite pajamas – the Air Force ones my father had bought her.

Once she was dressed and teeth brushed, Bethy ran to me, and I scooped her up. "Better, Daddy? Can you see my face now?"

"Yup," I confirmed with a nod, "including one new freckle!"

"Nuh uh!" she argued, shaking her head. "Where?"

"Right...here," I chuckled, kissing the tip of her nose. "It's brand new. Never seen it before."

Bella snorted softly, rolling her eyes, and grabbed up towels and dirty clothes before slipping by me at the door. "Silly ass," she muttered low enough only I heard her, smacking my butt on her way by, but turned to Bethy, handing her a brush. "Take this in the living room, pretty girl. We'll brush you out in there."

"Okay, Mommy," Bethy said, turning to me. "Fly me, Daddy!"

I grinned. "Arms out!" I ordered, and she stuck both arms out to the side, one hand holding her hair brush in a tight little fist. "Back straight," I said, spinning her around, "and toes pointed." I swung her up above me so that her stomach was on my head, and then walked her back into the living room. "The landing zone has been spotted. Ready to jump?"

"Yes, sir!" she giggled, because this was her favorite part.

I flipped her over my head, causing her to do a somersault and landing her softly onto her back in the middle of the pile of sheets and blankets they'd laid out earlier.

She laughed, "Do it again!"

"No, not again," Bella sighed, coming into the room in a fresh, dry t-shirt, my boxers sitting low on her hips. "Bethy, do you want another movie or a story?"

"Story!" she answered.

"I figured," she said with a smirk, handing me a book to read. "Daddy can read to us, while I brush out your hair."

Bella sat down, patting the space between her legs, and Bethy crawled to her and sat down with her back to her mother. I cracked open Wind in the Willows, a different book than the one we'd been reading when Bethy was taken. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to watch them, to watch Bella as she carefully picked up the ends of Bethy's hair, brushing out the tangles. She'd move up higher, and then a little higher with one section of hair, making sure that not one snag hurt Bethy's head.

I started to read, losing myself in the story. Soon, hair was brushed and Bella settled onto her back, her head propped up on pillows. Bethy crawled up to settle onto her front, laying her head on Bella's chest, facing me, her legs on either side of Bella's hips. Stomach to stomach, they stayed quiet, tiny fingers playing with my wife's hair as Bella traced comforting fingers up and down Bethy's back. They'd been doing that since Bethy was born, laying that way. It was almost like Bethy was trying to crawl back inside her mother, or maybe it was just the sound of a familiar heartbeat, but I knew my daughter wasn't going to be awake for much longer.

Another few pages, and I looked over to see they were both out cold. I closed the book and set it aside, just looking at them. It reminded me of the night of my dad's wedding, when I came upstairs to our hotel suite to see them both curled together on the bed. Two brunettes. One with the face of an angel, and the other was just stunningly beautiful. One with freckles, and the other with a face that could finally relax. I reached out, tucking a lock of hair behind Bethy's ear. Leaning over, I brushed the lightest of kisses to Bella's forehead.

God, I fucking loved them both with a tenacity that was almost insane. When I'd rescued Bella from Miller's dungeon, I'd fallen for her instantly; I just didn't know how it would work. When we figured out what we were doing, even with all of Bella's healing that she had to do, I swore to myself that I'd spend the rest of my life taking care of her. I'd never, ever felt the way about anyone like I did my Bella. We just...fit.

I smiled down at my girls as Bethy shifted a bit and Bella encircled her with loving arms, even in sleep.

I remembered when Bella told me she was pregnant; she'd been petrified – more petrified than with any mission or client she'd ever taken, I'd have been willing to bet. She didn't know that I was ready for it all with her. She didn't know that my father and I had discussed wives and grandkids on the way to get her, that I'd already come to terms with quitting the soldier for hire business, even before I kissed her stupid in the stairwell of a law firm.

I knew Bella's fear then. I hadn't exactly been on the straight and narrow when it came to women prior to her. I'd been a free and single soldier, only ever looking for the good time. That had all changed with her. So by the time she'd gotten pregnant with Bethy, I was so in. I wanted it all. I wanted love and family. I wanted the comfort that Bella brought that I hadn't felt since my mother was alive.

As I looked down at the two of them and slipped down closer under the covers, I realized that I had it all. Everything, and then some. I'd lost it for a bit, but I was the most fucking grateful man that ever lived, because I had them back.

~oOo~

I sipped my coffee, turning the page of the newspaper as quietly as I could. I was sitting at the kitchen counter, always up before Bethy and Bella. Those two could really sleep. The sun was just peeking out on the other side of the woods, and I glanced up through the window as three of Eleazar's men grabbed themselves a cup of coffee I'd set out for them. They were guarding my property, my family; the least I could do is keep them fed and awake until their shift change – if they even got a shift change.

The news was filled with articles on the fiasco at the train station, the compound on the mountain, and the return of Carla and Malcolm Danvers. All those things were "supposedly linked to one man," but the identity of the suspects were being withheld from the media. There was no mention of the D.O.A., and miraculously, Eleazar had kept all of the ties of the mountain property to Walter Bridges out of the limelight. As of right now, the Danvers family was in protective custody until the unknown suspects were caught.

Warm arms wrapped around my waist from the side, and a kiss met my bare upper arm. I smiled, turning to look at Bella, who had apparently been up long enough to toss her hair up into a ponytail and brush her teeth.

"Morning, sweetness," I said, turning to face her.

"Hmm, morning," she hummed against my lips, moving to stand between my legs on the bottom rung of the stool I was sitting on. "Sorry I fell asleep last night."

"I'm not," I admitted, shaking my head and rubbing my hands down her back to her bottom. "You were exhausted, love. I'd blame my monotone reading voice, but I think it was just being home."

She giggled softly, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Not monotone...comforting."

I chuckled. Unable to resist her, I pulled her all the way onto my lap so that her legs straddled mine. "Glad you and Bethy think so. Where is she?"

"Curled up on your pillow in the living room," Bella sighed, running her fingers through my hair. "You ran this morning?" she asked, noticing my freshly showered and still damp hair.

"Mmhm," I breathed into her neck, and then opened my mouth to her delicious skin. "I ran, I finished the dollhouse, and I made coffee," I murmured against the soft spot behind her ear, smiling when she shivered.

"It's true what they say then... You really do accomplish more before seven in the morning than most people do all day," she chuckled, gliding her hands soft over my bare chest and trailing her fingers around the waistband of my jeans.

"That's the Army again, sweetness," I sighed dramatically.

She laughed softly, her head falling back. "Oops, sorry!"

"Though you're right – the concept is the same," I said with a laugh, wrapping both my arms around her. "What are we doing today, love? We have until later this afternoon to ourselves."

"And the three guards outside," she added with a smirk. "I don't care. We could stick around here. I have the furniture for that dollhouse already, if you want to give it to her."

My eyebrows rose. "I thought we were taking her to the hobby shop downtown..."

"Have you ever taken her in there?" my wife huffed, rolling her eyes at me when I shook my head no. "I can't get her out. Mr. McLendon may have adopted her as a grandchild! He shows her every new thing he can think of."

I grinned, because the old man was damned cool. He could build the most detailed model train tracks I'd ever seen. He had an enormous display of radio controlled toys, from cars to helicopters, and his wife made the best brownies on earth. They were a really sweet old couple, and they'd been running that shop since before I'd moved to Forks with my dad.

"I had Mrs. McLendon pick out her favorite things for the dollhouse, and she set them aside for me. I picked them up a few weeks ago," Bella explained with a shrug. "Besides, it'll mean more that she can just...start playing with it. It's like getting a toy that needs batteries and there aren't any to be found."

I wrinkled my nose. I hadn't thought about it like that. "Girl thing?" I verified.

"No, little kid thing," Bella giggled, leaning in to kiss my lips. "A live-in-the-moment, no patience thing."

"Ah, gotcha," I snickered, slipping my hands just inside the hem of her boxers.

Bella reached over and picked up my coffee, taking a sip. I'd missed casual Sunday mornings like this. She'd steal my coffee, or if she had to be up early, she'd have one waiting for me after my morning run. We'd sit in the kitchen or in the porch swing until Bethy woke up. We'd talk about whatever case she was working on or just read the paper to each other. The sudden reappearance of that feeling of comfort made me lean in and kiss her cheek, her chin, and then her lips.

She let out a contented sigh, holding the coffee mug with both hands between us. "Tell me what I missed in that meeting last night."

"Not much," I stated with a shrug. "It was basically a rundown of security measures we were to follow from this point on. Everyone is to be armed at all times. Communication at all times. Keep your eyes open for anyone that might even resemble Walter or Lilith. We weren't getting into anything big until this afternoon. Eleazar just wanted us to get some rest, but be careful. He thanked everyone for their help, and gave anyone that didn't want to continue an out."

"Did anyone quit?"

"No, not a one. In fact, some may show up early, because they'll want this place as secure as possible," I stated, because Alec and Emmett had said that very thing.

In fact, everyone had stayed damn close last night. Emmett and Rose were with Caleb at my father's house right around the corner; they hadn't wanted to go all the way back to their house in Seattle. Alec, Mickey, and Obie were there, too. Alice and Jasper had offered Sam their spare bedroom, and he'd gratefully taken it. Eleazar and his men were at a small inn just inside town. Wes and Makenna had a small apartment downtown, and they'd offered their couch to Benny. No one was taking chances with this place, Bella, or Bethy again. No one would say it, but I could tell that was why they were all sticking so fucking close.

"And what happens if security is breached here?" she asked, taking another sip. I could tell by her tone and from the look on her face that she didn't believe it could happen, but it was a fair question.

"Then I get you and Bethy to Aunt Kate's. Period. We'll re-group up there, or something. I won't...I can't take any chances this time around, sweetness." I nearly begged with that last sentence, because I could see that she was about to protest. "I need you with me on this, because you and Bethy could still be a target. I-I f-fucking c-can't go th-through th-that a-again," I sputtered, because the thought made me sick.

"Okay, okay," she soothed, setting the coffee mug down and reaching up to run her fingers through my hair. "It was only a question, baby."

I nodded, allowing her touch to calm me and pulling her closer. "Anyway," I sighed, gazing up at her sweet brown eyes, "I imagine the real work starts today."

She nodded, leaning in to kiss my forehead, and said, "Yeah, I think I'll work the computers with Alice today. Knowing her, she's already set up some sort of alert for the first time Walter or Lilith use their names, but I want to research Lilith's past. I also want to know who started that ridiculous D.O.A."

I smirked up at her, because she was damned smart and brave, and I couldn't imagine any other person that I'd rather have in my corner – whether it was doing research or holding a fucking gun. Nothing kept my girl down for long. Nothing. She was tough and determined, and always willing to get back up, dust herself off, and start again. But all I said was...

"Fuck, you're beautiful," I breathed, almost incompetent with my love for her.

She smiled, slow and warm and sweet. "I love you, too, Edward."

I chuckled softly, leaning in to kiss her, because she always knew what I meant, even when I didn't. I captured her bottom lip, and then her top, allowing my tongue the mere teasing taste of her. My hands slid farther into the legs of her boxers, gripping her ass fully. Bella's hands glided up my arms, over my shoulders, to my neck, holding me where she wanted me so that she could turn her head. Fuck, her kiss was deep and wet and all things that made me moan shamelessly. A little control left us when Bella's hips rolled ever so slowly and sensually over mine. My hands were over her t-shirt and under it, in her boxers and out, gripping them to pull her to me or stop her hips, I wasn't sure which.

Finally, my fingers made purchase in that ponytail of hers, wrapping it around my hand in order to pull her head to the side. A soft, sexy whimper escaped her as my mouth assaulted her neck up to her ear, where I nipped teasingly at her earlobe. My other hand was up the back of her shirt, palm flat against the smooth skin between her shoulder blades. I wanted to be everywhere at once with her, but a chilling sound stopped us both cold.

"Mommy!" Bethy cried from the living room. Not just cried, but wailed.

"Shit," Bella hissed, slipping hurriedly from my lap. "I didn't think about her waking up alone," she muttered, giving me an apologetic look – for what, I didn't know. She never had to apologize for Bethy's well being coming first. Ever.

My not so innocent desire left me instantly, and I followed her into the living room. Bethy was sitting in the middle of the pile of blankets, sheets, and pillows, tears streaming down her face, looking confused and heartbroken.

"Hey, hey, pretty girl," Bella soothed, scooping her up. "I'm right here. What's this all about?"

Bethy just shook her head, because a three year old couldn't exactly explain that they maybe thought the night before was really only a dream, because the way that my daughter was gripping my wife, I'd be willing to bet that was the case.

Our daughter laid her head on Bella's shoulder as she rocked Bethy back and forth, her grip on Bella's shirt never letting up, but big, pitiful green eyes met mine as the last of her tears ebbed away. I couldn't resist reaching out and wiping them away, nor could I stop myself from dropping a kiss to the top of her head.

"Hey, baby, sit up and let me look at you," Bella told her.

Bethy pulled back, tilting her head just a little.

"Do you need to potty?" she asked, as she brushed sleep rumpled hair back from Bethy's face.

Bethy nodded slowly, rubbing her eyes.

I could see what Bella was doing; she was trying to get back to the normal morning routine. If the same question she asked every morning was asked now, then maybe Bethy would realize that things were okay. I worried when or if we had to leave her with Esme or Makenna again, because it was inevitable. I knew what that cry sounded like, and I hated the thought of hearing it again.

"Well, let's go do that, get you dressed, and then we'll see what sort of trouble we can get your daddy in today, huh?" Bella chuckled, giving me a wink.

Bethy cracked the merest hint of a smile my way when I groaned dramatically for her benefit.

I pointed a finger at both of them. "No trouble until after breakfast!" I growled, smirking at Bella's laugh.

Bethy sniffled a giggle at me, trying to catch my finger, but I pulled it away too quickly. "Cimmanon rolls, Daddy," she commanded in a voice raspy from sleep.

I laughed, because I loved the way she said certain words.

"Yeah, well, maybe a bite of eggs in there, too, huh?" I suggested, shaking my head at her wrinkled nose. "Go do your...girly stuff, and I'll see what I can find."

Both of them laughed at that statement, and I watched them walk down the hallway, before turning toward the kitchen to see if I had anything close to "cimmanon rolls."

~oOo~

BELLA

I smiled, looking up from folding laundry. Bethy was babbling quietly as she lost herself to her own imagination on the front porch. She'd been playing with her dollhouse for hours.

After Edward made us breakfast of cinnamon rolls, eggs, and sausage, he'd caved immediately, unable to hold back any longer from giving it to her. Whatever plans he might have had for the day flew out the window as soon as her big green eyes widened at the sight of it. Once he showed her how to open it and I'd given her the dolls and furniture, it was all over. Her fear, her slight ill temper, and her quiet demeanor that she'd woken up with had drifted away.

It was a beautiful day outside, so Edward had set her up on the front porch. I was just inside doing laundry, but he was never far from her in the yard. If he wasn't talking with the security guys Eleazar had left, then he was doing yard work or messing with the chopper, an ever watchful eye on her from us both. But even more importantly, she could see us. She didn't always want us hovering when she played, but if she needed to see us, all she had to do was call for us, or look around her, and we were there.

And Edward and I were just enjoying being home. It was teasing, laughing, and getting things done that may have slipped to the wayside since Bethy was taken. It was comfortable and comforting, and I think it made us all just a little more at ease.

I stowed the last of the clean towels in the laundry basket, leaving it on the table. I eased out onto the front porch, smiling at her hum, her little feet kicking in the air behind her as she lay on the floor, and her constant moving of furniture and people inside that dollhouse. I couldn't imagine what stories she was telling herself, or who those people were to her.

As I sat down on the top step, leaning my back to the post, she peeked up at me. "Hi, Mommy," she whispered.

"Hey, pretty girl. Why are we whispering?" I asked her with a giggle.

"Shh!" she chided with a frown. "The baby's sleepin'."

I leaned down just enough to see that there was a little baby in a crib, and then nodded at her. "Okay, sorry," I said in a hushed voice. "What's the baby's name?"

"Caleb Edward," she said – only, the middle name came out as "Ed-wurrd," which was about as adorable as I could take.

"Oh," I giggled, shaking my head as Edward joined me on the steps. "Like Uncle Em and Aunt Rose's Caleb?" I asked.

"Yup!" she chirped with a nod, but catching sight of her daddy, her little brow wrinkled, before asking, "Why does Caleb have your name, D-Daddy?"

"Oh yeah, why is that?" I asked, because no one had ever told the whole story surrounding the naming of Caleb.

Edward grinned, not just with amusement, but with utter hilarity. "You mean Rose hasn't told you?"

"I don't think she knows. Only that you saved Emmett in Afghanistan." I shrugged, opening my arms for Bethy when she came to sit in my lap.

"Oh, I saved him, all right," he laughed evilly, looking to Bethy. "You ask your Uncle Emmett to tell you why, little sweetness. They'll be here soon."

"Okay," she said with a grin, going back to her dollhouse.

She did just that when they arrived not long after.

Emmett, Rose, and Caleb weren't out of their car and seated on the front porch for two minutes, before Bethy was tugging his sleeve.

"Unca Em!" she said, tugging again as he sat down beside Edward, who could barely contain his low chuckle from his seat on the front steps.

Rose and I had moved to the swing and were both cooing at Caleb.

"What, baby girl?" he laughed, looking curiously at Edward.

"Why does Caleb have my daddy's name?" she asked him, and I elbowed Rose to look at Edward's silent laughter.

"Aw, Ed... Did you put her up to this?" Emmett groaned, shaking his head.

"No!" Edward barked a laugh. "But why don't you tell her...tell them all, since you've kept it from even your wife."

Rose snorted and looked at me as I shrugged at her.

"Spill it, Em," Rose ordered. "Apparently, we're missing the joke."

"Edward saved me in Afghanistan," Emmett muttered to Bethy, but now we were all too curious.

"No way. More!" I laughed.

Edward smirked, waving Bethy over. "Since your Uncle Emmett is too chicken to say, I'll tell you, little sweetness." He set her on his lap, kissing her head and giving one more glance to Emmett, who was looking ashen. "Your Uncle Em," he started, only speaking to Bethy. "Well, he had a lot of friends that were girls. And one day, he made the wrong one mad."

"How?" she asked, and Rose and I chuckled, because I wasn't sure if the story was even appropriate for her, and I was pretty sure that both Emmett and Edward were about to dig their own graves.

"He just...um, stopped being her friend one day, and she got very upset," my husband continued, using a tone of voice as if this were a fucking fairy tale, but it was Emmett's slumped shoulders and hanging head that you couldn't miss. "In fact, she got so upset, she told her older brother. And he decided to relieve your Uncle Emmett of some...very important body parts with a really big knife...and Uncle Emmett would have been forced to get married."

"Oh Lord," I groaned. "Was she a local over there, Emmett?"

"Yes," both Edward and Emmett answered, though the former was with much more enthusiasm than the latter.

Rose laughed, her head falling back. "Only you, Em. I swear," she chortled.

"What body parts, Daddy?" Bethy chimed in.

"It's not important," Edward rushed, his cheeks tinging a touch of pink. "What is important was that I had to swoop in and save the day by proving that this girl had more than one friend. Otherwise, your Uncle Emmett would have been a little bit lighter, but he would have had a fine heard of camels."

Rose and I collapsed in a heap of laughter, causing baby Caleb to gurgle up at us.

"So I promised to name my first born son after him, okay?" Emmett growled, unable to not smile, because it was hilarious.

"Oh, wait, wait, wait," I sniffled, wiping the tears from my eyes and pointing to Edward. "Tell me, hero... How did you prove her...other friendships?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

Edward grinned like the cat that swallowed the damned canary. "Mickey took pictures of all her friends. She liked her American soldiers...lots of them."

"Nice!" Rose and I guffawed, leaning on each other.

I shook my head, but we all looked up when several cars pulled in the driveway, the first being Carlisle and Esme. Soon, everyone was stepping out onto the lawn.

"Unca Alec!" Bethy gushed, almost tripping down the steps to get to him.

"Bambina," he crooned, kneeling down so that she could plant his favorite loud, wet smooches to his cheek, and then she was gone.

It was funny to watch her with them all – her "aunts" and "uncles." I think she assumed they were all there to see her, because every last one of them gave her hugs and kisses.

"Little darlin'," Jasper greeted her, scooping her up. He whispered something in her ear, and she nodded like crazy, before he set her down so that she could rush to her grandfather.

"Poppy, come look!" she gushed, tugging his hand. "Daddy made it!"

Carlisle shot Edward a wink and a squeeze to his shoulder on his way by, but his main focus was his granddaughter. She showed him everything, and he indulged her just like he always did.

Eleazar was the last car to pull in, and Eric and Felix piled out of the car when he parked it. As he walked up to the house, Esme appeared in front of me and Rose.

"I'm on baby duty," she chuckled sweetly, holding her hands out for Caleb.

I grimaced, giving Bethy a wary glance. "She's been...touchy today. If she gives you any trouble, bring her to me. I can keep her with me in the office, okay?"

Esme nodded, like she'd expected no less, but we all turned our attention to Eleazar.

He nodded to everyone, his face almost grim with seriousness. "Okay, people. We've got work to do."

A/N...Yeah, you know what that means. Lots of info in the next chapter. Tons of mom and dad fun in this chapter. I couldn't resist giving them and you guys a break.

As crappy as I'm feeling right this second, it doesn't look like Sunday will be the next posting. Though, I promise you that I will try. Watch for the alert on FF and on Twitter.

I need to thank JenRar for helping me beta this bad boy. And who wanted to eat Daddyward alive in this chapter. Thanks to GooberLou for just...being the voice that says... "No, no...don't do that!" LOL And to MedusaInNY, for all blog dealings and many, many other things.

Okay, let me know what you're thinking. Oh and this story was nominated for the "Hot Potato Award" in the Tomato Soup Awards. (Shrugs, because I never which award is which, but thanks you anyway). Anyway, until next time... Later! :)