Tim Horton's Timbits Dunkin' Donuts Munchkins…enuf said

Chapter 13

Jasper sat in the back corner of the ninth frou-frou boutique Alice had dragged him to in as many days. His legs were lazily stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankle as he watched the parade of fluffy, frilly fashions marched in front of his wife who seemed quite content to scribble down a note here and there, nodding when she saw something she liked and frowning at other selections.

To entertain himself, he started to create a running internal dialogue as he was passed by.

Left hip. Right hip. Left hip. Right hip. Right…Damn it.

Could this outfit be any more hideous? Paisleys and polka dots.

If that Edna Mode wannabe puts me in another…

Jasper wondered if this was how Edward spent every day—listening in to the internal, eternal thoughts and how he could keep his sanity. Jasper knew he would go mad if it were him and shook his head in disbelief.

His mind switched over to his conversation with Alice on how Bella and L did not want to know every single detail of how the latest Experience was going to play out, a few days being dragged from one house of fashion to another was the price he was willing to pay for her happiness. Yes, she had been disappointed but in the end, she agreed with their assessment.

Alice jerked upright suddenly, her eyes staring blankly into space. Panic swirled around her in an almost tangible wave.

"Alice, love?" Jasper quietly murmured, preparing for the worse.

"It's ending," she whispered back.

"Ending?"

With a quick nod, Alice stood. She rose from her seat, talked quietly with the boutique owner, ordering a few items, and with an almost frantic air kiss, hurried out the door with Jasper right behind her.

"What's ending?"

"The charm. The pregnancy. Elizabeth," she said, wrapping her arms around herself in a hug.

"Ending how?"

Alice did not answer for a moment, continuing down the street just barely at a human rate.

"Honey, you're way too tense." Jasper reached for her hand and pulled her to a slower pace. "What is going on?"

She paused, her eyes losing focus for a moment before a bright smile graced her face.

"I know just what to get them!"

Alice pulled out her phone and started punching frantically. Jasper looked over her shoulder and realized she was placing an order of some sort before she tossed her phone in her bag and continued walking toward some destination known only to her. He could feel the sense of happiness and peace flow off of her, a complete reversal of the panic she felt before.

"L is going to have the babies in three days. Long labor, not so nice experience, we hear about it for the next sixty years, blah blah blah." Her face brightened for a moment and she marched in the opposite direction they had just come from.

"Mary Alice, where are we going?" Jasper asked in calm exasperation.

"Going?" She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, oblivious to those around her.

"Yes. One minute you're talking about endings and I almost hear ominous music around you. The next you are all light and daisies."

Alice reached up and kissed her husband on the cheek.

"I thought it was bad and then it wasn't."

"What was bad?"

"I made Bella and Edward stay away from each other for ten days. They aren't happy with me right now but they will be. It gave Edward a little time with his mother and Bella can't begrudge him that. She gets him for eternity. Elizabeth only has a few more days."

"That was the bad?"

"No. The bad was how Will is going to react to the idea of Carlisle delivering the twins."

"How bad? Do you need to call?"

Alice smiled serenely. "Let's just say it works out and not to worry."

~BE~

Edward felt he could kiss Bella all day. And all night. The way she fit against him, the way she responded to his touch. Heaven. He realized his hands were wandering, discovering curves and valleys he did not have the right to touch yet but that did not stop him in the least and the sounds Bella made as he caressed her encouraged him to be a little bolder.

He pulled slightly back, looking down at her and smiled as if he had been given the keys to Midas' treasure.

"What?" she asked softly, unable to resist smiling.

Oh, how she loved the feel of him against her. The last ten days had been hell. No polite way to put it. This was her forever and to be kept away from him was completely unacceptable. It was taking every ounce of self-control not to shred their clothes and mount him right then and there in the woods.

"I think I could spend eternity with you, Miss Swan."

Bella laughed and squeezed his biceps where her hands lightly rested.

"You doubt my sincerity?" he teased.

She shook her head.

"Then what?"

Again, Bella refused to respond, only grinning broadly.

Edward's face suddenly became serious, all sense of humor gone. He stood straight and tall, fixing his jacket formally.

"I mean to ask you to marry me once your uncle returns, Bella."

And there was 1918 Edward again.

She stiffened in his arms, earning a look of concern. Was Bella not as serious about their relationship as he?

"My uncle?" Bella finally murmured.

"You said your father had passed. Your uncle is the only logical…"

"What about asking me?" Bella tried to pull away but Edward refused to relinquish his hold on her. "Shouldn't I have the only say in my future? I am not a commodity to be traded, nor am I am not a prize to be won."

Edward studied Bella's face for a moment, a million emotions flickering over his face. She was furious at the suggestion of him asking her uncle for permission to marry her and he knew his next words had better be well selected.

"Mother is going to love having you for a daughter," he finally murmured, leaning down to gently nuzzle her jaw before placing a soft kiss there.

Bella tried to shove him away but he shook his head.

"Edward," she said insistently, again attempting to push him back. "Listen to me. I'm not…"

"No, you're not. And I know that. I was only trying to show some respect to your family."

He took her face in his hands and gently forced her to look into his eyes.

"I would do anything to spend the rest of eternity with you, Bella Swan. And in this world, the right thing to do is ask your family to bless our marriage."

"And if they were to say no?"

"Then we run away and marry and come back with a passel of children so they can't argue the validity of our union."

Bella's face fell at the mention of children.

"I said something wrong again, didn't I?" Edward asked softly, lacing his fingers through hers and lightly swinging their arms.

"What if we couldn't have children?"

"Then you and I spend their would-be inheritance traveling the world, growing old and gray together."

"You truly are an enlightened man, Edward Masen."

"Only sometimes," he said with a smile. "I can be quite the Neanderthal when I wish to be."

"I'll have to keep you in line then."

"I look forward to that day," Edward murmured quietly, gently running the tip of his nose up Bella's jawline. "Over and over and over, Miss Swan."

Bella wished for the millionth time in the last week or so that she was not in the middle of an experience so she could find a comfortable spot to enjoy the attentions of her husband. She paused for a moment and released a small, breathy sigh.

"Perhaps a wedding nearer rather than farther," Edward whispered close to her ear, earning a nod of agreement that was a bit more frenetic than she had intended, earning a low chuckle in response.

"Because I cannot imagine a long engagement," he continued, earning a bright smile in response.

"Me, either, Mr. Masen."

"Then perhaps we should go share the news with Mother and have her do the mother thing. I'm sure she's had ideas on what she would like her only child's wedding to be like since I grew interested in girls."

Bella grinned broadly, first at the idea of marrying Edward all over again and second at just how relaxed he was over the entire thing. He did not seem to have a care in the world and she was glad to see it.

"Then let's go talk with her," she murmured before he pulled her close and leaned down to kiss her.

"Not quite yet," he whispered before pulling her flush against him.

~BE~

L waddled across the living area of the cottage she and Will had called home for the last several days. She knew she was being watched closely and heaved a great sigh. It was not going to be long now, she could feel it in her bones, but the constant hovering was getting on her nerves.

Scrubbing her face with one hand, she kicked off her shoes and plopped onto the chaise lounge with a sigh of contentment, not missing Will's jumping as if he would catch her should she roll off. She had only done that once and it was the first time she had sat on the bloody thing. Okay. Maybe the first three times. Her balance was off kilter.

"I am not an invalid, William Lawrence," L said sternly, glaring at her beloved.

"I know that, but…"

"But nothing. You let me out of this prison, even if it is a very pretty one," she waved her arms around the room. "And the second I get a little winded, you try to swoop me up and carry me back to my cage."

"But…"

"I will let you know if the babies are coming."

Through the window, L saw Carlisle and Esme's Range Rover pull into the drive.

"You called Carlisle?"

Will gave a sheepish nod, earning an exasperated sigh and a roll of the eyes.

"Can I get you anything?" Will finally asked in a soft, hesitant voice.

L glared at him for a few moments before softening.

"I'd love some of that fruit salad you got at the market."

In the blink of an eye, Will disappeared.

"And maybe some water," L called as she heard the cabinet door shut.

She smiled to herself as she said a quick thank you prayer that she had found someone to take care of her even if he was driving her absolutely bonkers right now. After years of Mary Frances, she was quickly becoming very, very spoiled and was thankful for that.

"Knock knock!" came Esme's cheerful voice from the doorway.

"Come on in," L said with a grunt as she tried to sit herself completely upright. "Pardon my beached whale impersonation."

Will brought in a healthy portion of fruit salad in an ivory bone china bowl, his eyes never leaving his bride.

"Will said you were over-exerting yourself," Carlisle said, reaching for L's wrist and taking a quick pulse.

"Will needs to pull a Frankie and relax," L muttered just as a thermometer was popped into her mouth.

She glared at her husband who had the decency to look even more abashed.

Ten minutes later, Carlisle was done with his preliminary examination and reached for his black leather doctor's bag.

"Do you want to do this here or in the bedroom?" he asked.

"Do what?" Will inquired, noticing L shaking her head back and forth.

Without looking up, Carlisle answered as he pulled the necessary tools out of his bag.

"Internal exam. It's the only way I can tell how close she is to…"

Will growled low in his throat, shifting into a protective stance between L and Carlisle and Esme.

Esme and L's eyes grew large at the sound while Carlisle carefully, slowly, put down his examination bag and took a step back from the chaise lounge where L lay.

"Will?" L whispered.

She did not receive an answer so she repeated her plea.

"Hon, it's alright. Carlisle is my doctor. He's…"

"He is not going to examine you."

"Now, really, Will…you're being…"

Will spun around, grinding his teeth at the interruption.

"I think it might be best if you have a midwife," Carlisle offered.

"Midwife?" L asked, noticing Will relaxed minutely at the suggestion.

"Female?" Will demanded.

"I think he means me," Esme offered, stepping forward.

"You can?" L inquired.

"Absolutely. Before I lost my son, I helped other women give birth."

"Then it is settled," Will stated in a tone that bordered on insolence. He paused a moment before looking at his wife, his stance softening significantly. "If you are okay with that."

"I guess I had better be."

"Liriope…"

"As long as the babies are healthy, I don't give a rat's ass," L muttered, rubbing her belly.

She was tired, cranky, and Lord save her from over-protective vampire mates.

Carlisle motioned toward the door.

"Will, why don't you and I wait outside while Esme examines L and they plan out how they want to do the delivery."

Will hesitated, looking between the three others until L made a shooing motion.

"I've never seen him like that," L muttered as the door closed behind the men.

"You've never seen a vampire about to have another get up close and personal with his mate's private parts," Esme said, pulling a chair up to the chase lounge.

"But it's not…"

"We're all just animals underneath, L. We can dress up as pretty as we like, but in the end, we are base creatures who will do anything to protect what is ours."

"Jesus in a petticoat, will it ever end?"

Esme smiled sweetly at her friend.

"It will calm down once the babies are here. Any names picked out?"

"A few but we want to see what we have in order to make sure the kids actually fit their names."

"Wise choice. So, let me tell you what I've done before and then we'll see how close you are."

~BE~

Elizabeth Masen knew the end was coming soon. As she slid into the overstuffed chair next to the parlor window, she could feel it in her bones as her body began to experience the symptoms of Spanish Influenza that had caused her death oh so many years ago.

First it was an overwhelming sense of exhaustion and constant full-body ache. Elizabeth assessed her own body and found that indeed the low-level ache was present. Then would come the fever and cough. She felt her forehead and was relieved that it remained cool to the touch but her nose was a touch stuffy.

She was thankful Edward would be spared this time. Yes, they would have to say good-bye again, but she hoped the few mementoes she had pulled together would assure him that she would forever watch over him.

Elizabeth was so happy Carlisle had saved her son. He may not have felt it was a blessing when he first awoke or even in the years that followed before he met his Bella, but she knew he was where he needed to be.

A short cough escaped Elizabeth's lips and she shook her head. No medicine was going to help her this time, either. That was part of the agreement she had made to return. No saving. No changing.

She would go back to her Edward and spend eternity with her true love.

Elizabeth noticed someone approach the front of the house and peered through the sheers.

On her front porch she could see a man in a dark blue suit coat, white shirt with a bright green tie, and obnoxiously eggplant pants. Elizabeth shuddered at the color combination as he shined his shoes by rubbing them on the back of the opposing leg.

"Are you expecting anyone, Ma'am?" Zafrina asked, entering the parlor from the kitchen.

"Most certainly not." Elizabeth continued to watch as the man continued to adjust his clothing and finally touched his over-oiled hair as if to set it in place.

"Shall I dispose of him?"

"That would be most appreciated, Zafrina. Thank you."

"Do you feel well, Ma'am?"

"No. I feel a touch under the weather. Perhaps you can make my excuses."

A pounding at the front door made both women jump.

"Beating it down, isn't he?" Elizabeth muttered, leaning back in her chair as if to hide from whoever it was on her front step.

"I shall handle it, Ma'am," Zafrina assured before gracefully heading toward the door.

Elizabeth closed her eyes for just a moment, resting them from the low burn that was beginning. She heard voices rumbling in her foyer but could not quite make out the words. The sounds grew in volume only to be quickly silenced before the front door closed with a decisive click.

Zafrina returned to the parlor, the silver calling card tray in her hand.

"Who was it?" Elizabeth asked.

"A Michael Newton, Esquire," Zafrina replied derisively. She placed the card tray on the table next to Elizabeth's chair.

Elizabeth glanced at the card and snorted. For a brief moment, she looked apologetic at her reaction but then waved it off.

"What did he want?"

"To invite you to the returning soldiers' reception."

"To what?"

"I believe he was asking you out on a date."

Elizabeth's mouth opened and then closed several times in disbelief.

"And I hope you responded with a negative."

Zafrina smiled and nodded.

"Oh, thank God for that," Elizabeth sighed, leaning back in her chair before a coughing fit seized her. She pulled out an embroidered linen handkerchief and tried to muffle the sounds as best as she could.

"Mother?" Edward inquired, entering the room with Bella on his arm.

Bella quickly released his arm and went to the sideboard and poured a glass of water and brought it to Elizabeth who took it and after a few dainty sips was able to murmur a quiet thank you.

"Are you alright?" Edward asked as Bella returned to his side.

"Just feeling a bit under the weather, dear boy. Nothing to worry about," Elizabeth said, trying her best to convince him it were true though Bella could see that it was far from it.

"Did the two of you have a lovely picnic?"

Edward nodded and beamed down at Bella, tightening his hold on her arm.

"I have asked Bella to be my wife, Mother. And she has said yes."

Elizabeth stood and pressed the handkerchief to her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Oh, Edward," she whispered. "If only your father could have been here to see this."

Elizabeth rushed toward Bella and Edward and enveloped them in a warm hug.

"Welcome to the family, Bella," she whispered before another round of coughing forced Elizabeth to pull away with an apologetic smile.

"Perhaps I should call a doctor for you," Edward said as his mother took a few steps back.

"I doubt that would do any good, love," Elizabeth croaked before clearing her throat. "A little rest is probably all I need."

She carefully lowered herself back into her favorite chair.

"Now tell me everything. How it happened, where, when, and what the two of you have planned for the future."

~BE~

Heya! Thank you for your patience as I wrap this up—just one more chapter to go (and it will be in a little different style, but I think you'll enjoy it!)

I had a fabulous trip to Toronto (and if it weren't for the winters, I might live there! I am a southern girl & that equals a lack of ability to handle the cold)

As always, I'd love to know what you think. I may not respond to as many reviews as I used to, but I do treasure each and every one.

Thank you.

DeJean