This will be the last chapter for a while. Don't worry, I'm not going to abandon the story or anything, I care about it to much, but I'm going to my dad's house and as I said before I have math homework to finish.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT!! Or Edward. –sniffle, wipes away tears-
Bella POV:
Edward and I had been going out for about 3 weeks now. We hadn't actually gone on a date "date". He just came over everyday, helped me watch the girls. Then when we'd put them to sleep, we'd lay on the couch just holding each other. He had fallen asleep here a few times, and other nights when I just couldn't take it he'd stay over, he'd just hold me. I loved being in his arms, almost as much as I loved him.
He loved me, too. Why I couldn't imagine. He was this perfect Greek god, and I was a Plain Jane, nothing special. But he was, oh, how special he was. His beautiful bronze hair, his perfect lips, his rock hard chest, his bone white pale skin- paler than mine even, and his eyes…his eyes were another matter entirely. They appeared to change color, imperial topaz to blackest onyx. I also noticed he was crabbier when his eyes were black. And the way he never seemed to eat, not once in 3 weeks had he drank or ate anything. At first I though he was anorexic, but his rock hard chest and arms proved otherwise. A lot of things about him weren't normal. When he slept over, I'm not sure he really slept. He seemed impossibly fast, I had never seen him run or anything, but how he always managed to catch me when I tripped over my own feet. I had not hit my face once in almost a month. And he was so strong, I know I'm not exactly one to be fighting off a guy anyway, but the strength he had when holding me, he wasn't even trying that hard. Yet when I was in his arms I couldn't move an inch, not that I wanted to, I'm just saying. Something about him told me to be scared, but I wasn't, I only ever felt safe when I was with him, felt my girls were safe, felt his love.
He was extremely outdoorsy, camping trips every weekend. I was never one for camping, so I never asked to go with him. Besides, he went with his family, that was time I didn't want to intrude on. I was amazed how close they were to each other. I had never met them, but when he talked about them. His father, especially. His adoptive father, if you want to get technical. Carlisle, he worked at the hospital with Edward. The way he spoke about him…such respect and pride. And his adoptive mother, Esme, she sounded so kind and compassionate. His brothers and sister, I knew he loved them by the way he talked, but I could tell they were like any other siblings, constant fighting.
The most amazing thing, though, was the way he loved my girls. He was so good with them, it took my breath away. The way he looked at them…like they were his own babies. He was so careful with them. And protective, I'd never met a more protective person in my life. He was that way with me, too. I didn't mind, though. I knew it was because he cared about us. And the girls loved him. Antoinette had him wrapped around her finger. He was at her beck and call. And he could get her to do things not even I, her mother, could. He would put her to sleep every night; he fed her, played with her. We had finally gotten her to walk, and now her favorite destination was Edward. I didn't mind, though. My girls finally had a father, a real caring, loving father. And I had a man who loved me, really truly loved me. Aurora, Aurora adored him. I had never seen her like this with Jacob. It was only a matter of time before she started calling him daddy. Since Edward had asked me to let him be a father to them he had stepped in to his role as daddy with a determination to be the best father my baby girls could ask for. And he was, he was the best father in the world.
We were sitting in the front room, Antoinette was in my lap hugging this giant stuffed penguin that Edward had bought for her. We had been curled up on the couch watching TV when a commercial for a penguin movie comes on. Antoinette starts smiling and pointing and trying in vain to speak anything but baby talk. We had a feeling it was the penguins. When the commercial was over Antoinette got a pouty look on her face. To test this theory, we rewound the commercial (I have TIVO). When it was back on she got all excited again, the next day Edward shows up with a giant penguin. And being the thoughtful, knowing, kind, loving man he was brought home an otter for Aurora. She had informed him previously that otters were her favorite animals. And at the moment, we were sitting on the couch watching said penguin movie. Antoinette was enjoying herself. Rora liked it, too. I had a feeling we were going to have a new favorite in this house, after "Sleeping Beauty", of course. That was Rora's nickname, and Princess Aurora worked, too.
I remember when I had gone into labor; I was sitting at home watching "Sleeping Beauty". And when my baby girl was born I couldn't think of a better name than Aurora, it was perfect. Because my baby girl was a princess.
"Bella," Edward whispered in my ear. "Yes?" I responded. "Want me to put the girls to bed?" I looked down and my angels were asleep. "If you don't mind," I looked back up at him. "I never mind," he whispered in my ear and then kissed my lips sweetly. He got up took the girls in his arms and went upstairs. I grew impatient for my love to come sit with me, so I went upstairs to be with him. It's not my fault he was taking so long. He was tucking in Rora when I walked in. I walked up behind him and put my arms around his waist and my head in his back. He took my arms from around him and turned to face me. He took my face in his hands and pressed his lips to mine. When he pulled away he said, "I can't very well see your lovely face if your behind me, can I?" I placed my arms around his neck. "No you can't," I was laughing quietly trying not to wake my baby. " I don't see what part of that is funny," although he was laughing, too. "I enjoy torturing you," I teased him and he smiled at me and shook his head. He put his hands on my waist and lifted me up; I wrapped my legs around his waist. I leaned down to kiss him and he held me to him. The way his lips moved with mine, it was magnificent. His lips were hard and cold and they molded perfectly with my warm, soft ones. He pulled away and started trailing kisses down my neck, "Perhaps we should go back downstairs." "You'd have to put me down to get downstairs or we'd fall," I whispered back. "Would I ever drop you?" he asked me incredulously. I was going to say, "you're only human", but by some random instinct I didn't, "You never know". He shook his head at me, "Fine we won't go downstairs," he put his lips back on mine and walked into my bedroom. "You need to rest anyway."
"I'm not tired," I whispered back as he pulled the covers on my bed back and put me down. As he covered me with the blue comforter he whispered, "Why are you so impossibly stubborn?"
"Oh, I see. I'm the stubborn one," my voice thick with sarcasm. As he crawled into bed with me and wrapped his arms around my waist he responded, "Yes you are. I've never met a more stubborn person in my life." I elbowed him, and with his rock hard body I probably gave my self a bruise. "Own! Why are you so hard?"
"I work out," he flexed his biceps teasingly. "Oh, shut up," I laughed. He put is arm back around my waist and pulled me closer. "Now sleep, my beautiful Bella."
"Only if you go get some medication for these delusions of yours."
"Bella, you are the most beautiful woman on the face of the Earth. If anyone is having delusions it's you."
"I'm not even going to argue with you, I won't win."
"No you won't. Why is that you think."
"Because you are the most hard headed person I've ever met." He laughed, "Oh, I'm hard headed?!" he asked me incredulously, I could hear the amusement in his voice. "Extremely so," he shook his head again. "I'll tell you why you won't win…because you're wrong. You are singularly the most gorgeous, beautiful, breathtaking woman I've ever laid eyes on."
"You must not have met many beautiful women than," I teased him. "Why don't you believe me?" he said as he shook his head again. "Because you're being ridiculous," and he was, he was the most beautiful person in the world, and I was the plainest. "No you are. And you need to get some sleep."
"Did I not say that I'm not tired?"
"You are tired. Now stop being so stubborn. Sleep," I shook my head at him and rolled over so I could bury my face in his chest. He held me tighter, and, of course, being Edward, he was right, I fell asleep in minutes.
Edward POV:
She fell asleep quickly, proving me right, again. She was so stubborn. But I loved her. Everything about her I loved. She was perfect; everything about her was perfect, her deep chocolate brown eyes, her long silky brown hair, her nose, her face, her skin, her body, her lips. The feel of them moving with mine was amazing. When I was in her arms, and she in mine I never wanted to move, just to stay there forever. I loved her more than I thought possible. I hadn't believed love like this existed for me. That I could deserve such an angel. Deserve to have her love me back. It was an inconceivable thought.
And then, if having Bella was not more than I could warrant, I got to be the father of two most adorable sweet little girls in the world. When Carlisle changed me he told me everything there was to being a vampire, including that I couldn't have children. I was 26 when I was changed; I had gotten back from Europe after having been there for four years, since the war started. I had survived the war with no severe injuries, a few scars here and there. I hadn't been married, therefore I had no children. When the influenza hit again I caught it. I was dying in the hospital; Carlisle had treated my parents and me. They were already dead, I was close to dieing, but Carlisle saved me. He made me immortal. I never regretted not getting married or having children. I thought I was complete in myself. But having Bella now, having the girls now. I realized just how much I was missing. At times I had regretted Carlisle changing me, damned for all of eternity. But now, after gaining the most wonderful family in the world, I couldn't have been happier.
How I wish I could be human for them, though, normal. Someone who wouldn't possibly kill them, damn them to this life. I almost wished Bella wasn't in love with me, so she would be safe. But I was too selfish to really truly want that, to be able to give her up. Give the girls up. I could never do that, I could never leave them. Not if I wanted to, not if I tried.
"Antoinette go to daddy," Bella mumbled in her sleep. I turned down to look at her. I hoped she was talking about me. She said Aurora never called Jake daddy, so she must be talking about me, right? "You're so good with her, Edward," she mumbled again. She was talking about me! Knowing she saw me as the girls' father made it all that more real. That she loved and trusted me enough to let me be their father was elating. I kissed her hair and pulled her tighter to my chest. "I love you, Bella. God, I love you," I whispered in her ear. I held her the rest of the night, she didn't keep talking. But her two phrases were enough to keep me satisfied.
At 7:00 am her alarm went off. I turned it off before she could wake up, she needed to sleep in. She hadn't been sleeping well since the visit to see Dr. Solomon. I didn't know when she would be waking up, so I called Alice. "Alice, do me a favor."
"I don't know, Edward."
"Don't know what?"
"What time she'll be getting up."
"How do you not know? You're psychic if I recall correctly."
"Yes. But if I recall correctly you haven't let me meet her yet! Therefore I'm not tuned into her."
"Alice, I told you. You can't meet her until I tell her what we are."
"Well, then get on with it!"
"Alice, I'm not sure if you realize how much harder that is, compared to how it sounds."
"Well, sitting there making out with her isn't going to do it for ya," I rolled my eyes.
"Alice, I'll tell her. I just have to figure out how to do it first."
"Just tell her!"
"No, Alice," with that I pushed end. I wanted to tell her, I really did. I was just at a loss on how to do it. I didn't want to stress her out more, she was stressed enough. But mostly I didn't want to scare her. I can only imagine how that would sound, "Good morning, love. The girls are still asleep. And, oh yeah, forgot to tell you, I'm a vampire, so is the rest of my family. We feed off animal blood because we've developed a conscience and we don't like to kill people. So, what do you want for breakfast?" I shook my head at my silliness. "So that's it then, that's what you are?" she looked up at me with curious eyes. My eyes widened, when the hell did she wake up?! "Edward?" she tilted her head to the side and placed one hand on my face. "Bella, I-I-,"
"Edward, it's okay. Calm down. I'm not all that shocked," she said matter-of-factly.
"You're not all that shocked?! Bella I just told you I'm a mythical creature!"
"Like I said, not that shocking," she was still extremely calm.
"Bella! How is that not shocking?!"
"You know, you still haven't denied it," she looked up at me calmly, I stared back speechless. She was right, I hadn't denied it. And I couldn't, she had to know. "I'm not going to. I can't."
"What took you so long to tell me?"
"I find it hard to believe you aren't scared at all."
"I only ever feel safe with you. I know you'd never hurt me. Or the girls. You love us to much."
"Bella, I'm still dangerous."
"You could be, if you wanted to be."
"Bella, no, I'm dangerous, I'm a soulless monster! Please! Grasp that!"
"Edward! How could you think that?! How could you think that you don't have a soul?! That you're a monster?!"
"Bella, I'm a vampire!"
"That doesn't make you a monster! That doesn't make you soulless!"
"Really? How does that not make me all those things?!"
"Edward, you are the kindest, most loving, compassionate, caring, giving, sweetest person I've ever met! You love me and my daughters! You could have killed us at any time in the past month and you haven't! You care about us! And you just said you don't kill people! That you don't like to! That you have a conscience! Do you know what accompanies a conscience, Edward, do you?!"
"Bella-,"
"A soul, Edward!" I lay there speechless as she defended me, the vampire. I looked at her and saw the love and anger pouring out of her eyes. Anger at what I'm not sure, I'm guessing my self-loathing. "Bella, I'm sorry," I looked back at her and if I could cry, I would have been. "Don't apologize. Just never say that again. I hate seeing you hate yourself so much. I've noticed, but hearing you say that, Edward, I-," her voice broke. She took in a shaky breath. "Bella, shhh, it's okay," I pulled her to my chest and rubbed her back soothingly. She wasn't sobbing, it was more of a whimper, and it was probably worse. "I'm sorry, I should have said something sooner. I should have told you."
"It's okay. If I was in your position I probably wouldn't have known what to say either."
"How did you know?"
"I didn't know exactly what. But I knew something wasn't human about you. Your eyes, your skin, the speed, the strength, the inhuman beauty, it wasn't all that hard to figure out something was up."
"You're much more observant than I thought you were."
"Well, don't judge a book by it's cover."
"Can you forgive me? Can you still love me?" I was terrified for the answer. What if she didn't want me?
"Edward, there is nothing you could do or be that would ever make me stop loving you. I love you so much; I didn't think it was possible to feel this way. I never have before."
"What about Jake?" she rolled her eyes at me. "Edward, I loved Jake, in the beginning. But, even then, it wasn't as strong as this. The only reason I kept him around was because I thought the girls needed a father, not that he did that anyway. But I never, ever loved him this way, this much," I smiled at her; I probably looked like an idiot, and pressed my lips to hers. She responded enthusiastically, pushed deeper into the kiss. Then I heard Rora get up and start walking down the hall toward us. I pulled back and Bella pouted at me, "Rora's coming," a look of understanding crossed her face and she rolled over to face the door. "Mommy? Edward?"
"Sweetheart, we're right here," I pulled Bella into a sitting position. I kept one arm around her waste as Aurora climbed up on the bed sat in my lap. I pulled the two of the back down and placed Rora in the middle of us. She snuggled into my chest as her mother had last night. Bella moved closer and stroked her hair. I held her to me and kissed the top of her head. She fell asleep again, between the two of us. We lay there for a while, until Antoinette woke up. When she did we left Aurora in the middle of the bed and went downstairs.
Surprisingly things were exactly the same as any other morning, I had expected them to change when Bella found out what I was, they didn't, not at all. While Bella was feeding Antoinette the phone started to ring. "Edward, could you," she motioned toward Antoinette. I nodded and took the baby food from her. "Hello?" she answered.
"Miss Swan?"
"Yes, Dr. Solomon?"
"We got the test results back."
A/N: Muhahaha! I'm evil! Hoped you liked the chapter. You'll have another when I finish my math homework. Feel free to tell me how mad you are. There's thing called a review, all you have to do is push the little purple/blue button that says go on the bottom left hand corner.