A/N: Snapshots of a life together. Short chapters. Don't own Twilight. I'm sure if one person posted a concern (remember, if you don't sign in, I can't respond), then more people are probably thinking the same thing. So… The prologue does foreshadow coming events but is NOT necessarily the end of the story.

Leather (2002)

"You're right, baby. We're ready."

"Really?" She nearly screams in her shock and excitement. Is he really agreeing to this?

"Yeah. You'll be an amazing Mommy. Let's have a baby."

"Oh, Edward. I love you. Thank you, so much." She launches herself at her sexy, successful, monumentally generous husband. "You will be the most wonderful Daddy," she exclaims between kisses, frantically tugging at his shirt, desperate to feel his skin. "Wait, wait," she mumbles, suddenly pulling away from him.

"What?" He's confused.

"This isn't just the New Year's champagne talking, is it?"

He can't help but laugh. "No, baby," he says against her lips, pushing her down on the leather couch because he just can't wait the length of time it would take to get her upstairs. "This is not a spur of the moment decision. We're ready. I'm ready."

"If we get started on this tonight, we could be parents by my birthday."

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…"

(2002)

"Are you regretting that you kept working? You could have quit when you found out you were expecting, you know. Edward wouldn't have minded, I'm sure." Esme didn't understand her daughter-in-law. Why work when she didn't have to? Edward made more than enough money these days. Surely pregnancy provided a reason to leave her classroom without guilt. Though, if Esme were to be honest with herself, she knew she respected Bella's insistence on individual purpose. She leaned on Edward, relied on him, but was not dependent.

"No, no, I don't regret it all. I got a little tired toward the end there, but I love it too much to leave."

"I'm proud of you, Bella. You worked so hard to get that position; I'm glad you didn't give it up." Renee often feels the need to speak up for her daughter in Esme's presence. She was never disrespectful, never really put Bella down, but Renee always felt that Esme found her daughter lacking. That simply would not do. "But I think it will be harder than you think going back to it after the baby comes."

"How so?"

"You won't want to leave her," Esme provides. On this, both grandmothers agree.

Edward glides down the stairs, as elegant as ever. Bella wonders how it's fair that her hot as hell husband still gets to be sure in his movements when she can no longer tie her own shoes without tipping over. She sighs contentedly, however, when she remembers that he uses his natural balance and athleticism to tie her shoes for her these days.

"I'm out, ladies."

"Where are you boys off to today while we have the baby shower, dear?" Esme asks her son. She can hardly believe he is soon to be a father.

"Emmett, Charlie, Dad, and I are going to Harbor Park with James as soon as he drops Tori off. We're going to hang out in the CBD box and root on the Tides for the double header."

He bends down to kiss Bella, saying, "Have a good time, baby. I won't be late."

Kissing his cheek, she whispers, "Bring home some Chinese and as soon as I finish feeding Baby Cullen, I'm coming after you."

"I love the horny hormones, Bella," he purrs with a grin just for her.

As he continues to kiss her goodbye, making all the covertly watching women swoon, James and Tori walk in the door, arguing as usual. Their wedding is only three months away, and the tension and nerves are killing them, along with everyone around them. With a cutting eye roll, James mumbles a begrudging greeting to the gathered women then walks back out the door.

As Bella looks on with growing concern, Edward bends back down to look his wife in the eye. "Not our problem, Bella. Let them work it out. No stress, baby. Promise."

Bella knows he means every word, and since he doesn't often attempt to put his foot down, she doesn't argue. "Okay," she agrees, kissing him once more before he leaves.

The couch dips beside her, and Bella feels a curly head on her shoulder. Resting her head on the mop of red, she sighs, "You okay, Tor?"

"I will be. How's our baby girl?" Tori asks her sister, her little sister, rubbing her beautifully swollen belly.

"Kicking me. Soccer player or Rockette, I wonder?" Bella giggles. She is so happy.

"Any names yet?" asks Angie. She and Jess have both made the effort to be here. Bella couldn't believe how far apart she had grown from her best friends. Her life was so different now. Happy, fulfilled, but different.

"We decided we want to go traditional."

"Oh, lovely, Bella. Isn't it nice, Rose, to have a nice, strong, traditional name?" Esme is still very unhappy at both Rose and Bella's antagonistic relationship and Emmett's continued reluctance to propose. Maybe a niece, and his brother's obvious happiness and contentment, will give him the incentive he's been missing.

"Yes, lovely." This is Rose's complete contribution to the conversation. Esme is exasperated.

"Any in particular, Bella?" asks Tori, deliberately brightening. Rose is doing enough to sour her sister's mood. She will not help that bitch out.

"I like Elizabeth, Charlotte, Alice, and Kate. Edward, for some reason, has his heart set on a double barreled name. So we're thinking Mary plus one of the names I want."

"Oh, my God. Isabella, that's beautiful," Renee says tearfully. Tori is openly crying.

"What am I missing, Renee?" Esme asks, concerned.

Smiling through her sniffles, Renee informs her, "My girls are Victoria Mary and Isabella Marie. Bella and Edward are being very generous."

"Oh, Mom, don't cry. Tor, calm down. Her last name will be Cullen. We thought it only right that the Swans be represented, too."

(2002)

"Edward. Edward! Honey, wake up! Something's wrong!"

Surfacing abruptly from deep sleep, Edward fervently prays he is not hearing his wife correctly. Please God, let there be nothing wrong. With either of them. Sitting bolt upright, he sees the look on Bella's face and fears his prayer is not being answered.

"What's wrong, baby?" He reaches out to take her hand and feels her shaking.

"My water broke! My water broke! Edward, it's too early! Oh, God."

"Calm down, Bella. It's not that early. Just four weeks. Happens all the time. Get dressed, and I'll call the hospital. Okay? Bella, focus, baby." He sounds much calmer than he is. It's his first tentative step at being strong for his family.

"Okay. Okay. Call my mom, too. And yours. They can call everyone else." He smiles at her. Always making sure no one is left out. Sometime very, very soon, she is going to be the most amazing mother.

(2002)

Feeling quite shell shocked, Edward makes his way down the sterile corridor to the overflowing waiting room. It appears as though every person he's ever met in his life is piled in some way on an astonishingly ugly chair or couch, or sprawled on what must be a really dirty floor.

"Edward. How is she?" This is the only important question in Charlie Swan's mind. "How is my daughter?"

"She's just fine. Your daughter… and mine." The most radiant smile dawns across his face. Love, relief, disbelief.

Carlisle cannot get to his son fast enough. Gripping him tightly in sheer happiness, he says, "I could not be happier for you, son. I'm so proud of you and Bella."

"I have a daughter, Dad." Edward cries quiet tears on his father's shoulder. "I'm her Dad."

"Get out of the way!" cries Esme. "Renee and I are going to see our granddaughter!" And with that, she grabs Renee's hand, and they barrel through the assembled family and friends. They will not be delayed.

Edward laughs uproariously. "Yes, by all means. Grandparents, Aunt Tori, Uncle Emmett, come meet Mary Alice Cullen. I'm gonna call her Mac. And Bella can't stop me."