*I don't own Twilight.*

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Bella Cullen

I was huge. A boat. No, bigger than a boat… a yacht.

Audrey was being a little bug. She was grumpy and had been up and down a few times last night due to teething plus she didn't take a nap. I'd put her in her crib for quiet time but she stood and cried the whole time but calmed immediately when I picked her up and took her to the living room. Sometimes, the girl just doesn't want to be left alone.

"Ma? Ma? Da!"

"Mama's here, Dada's at work… he'll be home soon then we're taking you to Nana and Papa's for the night," I told Audrey.

"Na na na na!"

She giggled and crawled over to the small bookshelf that held the majority of her books, sitting on her diapered but in front of it. She was so stinking cute. Her curly bronze hair was in two pigtails on the top of her head, tied with light pink ribbons. Her patience amazed me when it came to doing her hair. As long as she had a toy or book in her hands, she was perfectly content to sit in my lap while I did my hair. Now, her patience when it came to diaper changes? Nonexistent.

Leaning back against the couch, I rubbed my stomach over where one of the babies was moving. There wasn't much room in there, especially as I got closer to my due date. I was pretty sure they wrestled for space. I really didn't think I'd make it to my due date, which was over a week away… I really hoped I didn't make it to my due date.

Audrey was reading her books (and by reading I mean looking at the pictures, pointing and squealing or laughing) so I decided to grab the laundry to fold it. As I was carrying it back into the living room, I felt my stomach cramping. I scrunched up my face. It had been happening most of the day but with no regularity or intensity. Now they were getting worse and closer together.

When Edward got home thirty minutes later, I'd had five more of these pains - which I was reluctant to refer to as contractions - read one book to Audrey (four times) and the laundry was still unfolded.

"I'm home," Edward called out, coming in through the kitchen. I heard him toss his keys on the counter and Audrey perked up, crawling to the doorway.

"Da da!"

"Yes, Audrey Elizabeth, Dada," Edward laughed as he picked her up and kissed her. She yawned and put her head on his shoulder. "Did she nap?"

"No, she hates me," I joked then winced as I felt another pain.

"What's wrong?" Edward rocked Audrey, who clutched his suit jacket.

"These babies hate me too," I said, making a face at him.

"You're not going into labor, are you?"

"We haven't picked out names yet."

Right, Bella. Because that makes any sort of difference.

"Bella, we picked out about twenty sets of names. You just keep changing your mind," Edward reminded me. He leaned down and kissed me softly.

"I'm hungry. Let's go to dinner first?" I asked hopefully. I really was hungry. I could only eat a few bites of anything before I felt full but I was always hungry a little while later.

"You sure? Should I examine you?" Edward grinned and I rolled my eyes. He was gross.

"You're bizarre. Anyway, it might be our last Friday night for a few months. I bet I'll be in labor for a while."

"Know what brings on labor?" he wiggled his eyebrows and I laughed.

"No way, Cullen, I'm too huge."

"We did it this morning," he said defensively.

"Which is probably why I'm… ow, ow, ow!"

"Alright, let's go. We have to drop this one off at my parents' before those two come out. We'll stop somewhere for dinner that you'll end up throwing out after you take three bites."

I struggled to sit up, groaning softly. My back was killing me. Edward helped me and I could tell he was trying not to laugh.

"How do you get up when I'm not here?"

I smacked his arm and smiled at Audrey, "You're going to have a little brother and sister! Are you excited?"

"Maaa!" Audrey reached out for me. I took her, knowing she had no idea what I was talking about. I snuggled her close and inhaled her sweet scent.

"Mama's gonna miss you so much, Audrey," I murmured. I scrunched up my face as I had another, worse contraction. She patted my cheek and looked at me like I was crazy.

"Let me change and get your stuff then we'll go. Will you be okay for a minute?" Edward asked, looking concerned. I knew he was as nervous as I was so I forced a smile and nodded.

Audrey babbled, looking me right in the face as though she was trying to convey something serious. I nodded and listened. She was so verbal for such a little girl even though most of what she said didn't make sense. The extent of her actual vocabulary was: Dada, Mama, Nana, Papa, Nene, dog, baby and light. Nene was for Renee, who had been making more of an effort and light sounded more like 'ight' but we got it. She demanded it whenever we walked into a dark room.

I sat on the couch again, sitting Audrey next to me. She climbed on me, using my body as a jungle gym, still talking and laughing at herself. Edward and I had definitely lucked out in the way that Audrey was a very, very happy little girl and started sleeping through the night early. I was scared that one or both of these babies would be the total opposite.

In December, Rose and Emmett had their third baby, Lucas. He had colic and cried and cried all the time. Rose was a mess. Edward and I tried to help out by watching Henry and Jax sometimes but it made me paranoid that one of the twins would be colic-y or have something wrong with them or have weak immune systems or be missing an arm or… well, the possibilities are endless.

Edward and I made more of an effort to communicate these things, which made it a little easier. Sometimes I was worried that I'd just end up worrying him for no reason but the counselor we had been seeing said to be open and honest. I did catch Edward searching the internet for 'things that can go wrong with a baby' when I went to visit him for lunch one day at work so I probably did make him paranoid but I felt so much better after I got it off my chest.

It was an hour later before we got to Carlisle and Esme's. Edward didn't want to go in but I loved visiting them and I was sad that I wouldn't see Audrey for day or so. I knew it was no different than normal Friday nights but it felt different.

Esme was ecstatic about me being in labor. Carlisle was disappointed that he wouldn't be in the room this time. Edward was anxious to get to the hospital.

We were standing in the hall when my water broke. All over their beautiful rug. I gasped and grabbed Carlisle's arm.

"Are you alright?"

I shook my head and held my stomach. My contractions were getting closer together and more intense.

"My water just broke. I'm so sorry, Esme!"

I was horrified. This was worse than my water breaking at Target. I actually had to see these people again. Plus, it was totally not on a mop-able floor.

"It's just a little amniotic fluid, it's just fine. You two better get to the hospital! Call us as soon as you get there."

"Can Aunt Carmen watch Audrey? Uh, can you call her? I'll feel better if Dad's there. I'll know what's going on… fuck. Bella, do mind if Aunt Carmen watches her?"

"No," I whimpered softly. I was so uncomfortable. I knew Audrey would be down for the count soon, anyway. She wasn't shy by any means so I wasn't too concerned and I knew Carmen, Carlisle's older sister and a pediatrician, was great with kids.

"You'd better get Bella to the hospital, son. I'll call Aunt Carmen and I'm sure she'll be glad to look after Audrey. We'll call when we're on the way," Carlisle assured Edward.

"Wait, wait…" I said, holding my hands out for Audrey. She smiled her sweetest smile. "Mama's going to miss you. I love you," I hugged her and kissed her face before handing her over and letting Edward lead me to the car.

He got in the drivers seat and grinned nervously at me. "Are you ready for this?"

"We don't have names yet!" I cried, slightly overdramatic but the moment called for it. My water had broken. I hated contractions. Why had I been so eager to get pregnant again after going through this the first time? I was clearly insane.

Edward didn't answer, pulling out of the driveway instead. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove, successfully annoying me.

"Oooh, Wendy's! Let's stop there!"

Edward Cullen

Twenty hours. Bella had been in labor for twenty, awful, Godforsaken hours. Twenty hours of my wife glaring at me, cursing at me and threatening to castrate me every time she had a contraction. Twenty hours of her scoffing at any name Esme, Carlisle or I suggested.

At hour eight, we laughed it off.

At hour sixteen, it got a little bit annoying.

At hour twenty, I wanted to go home, go to sleep and have someone call me after those kids were out of her and my wife was back to normal.

I think I much preferred her labor with Audrey over this.

Bella Cullen

Thirty-six hours after being admitted to the hospital, Masen Edward Cullen and Mia Esme Cullen were born via c-section.

Masen was seven pounds, three ounces and Mia was six pounds, eleven ounces. They were gorgeous… I hadn't expected them to look so much alike but they did. They both had heads full of dark, dark hair and their ears both pointed like mine. Masen's head was a little bit cone-shaped because he was all set to come out but Carlisle assured me it would go away.

I loved them a lot.

I was also quite drugged up. Edward had run to Carlisle and Esme's to get Audrey to introduce her to her siblings and Rose and Emmett had just gotten here. They were each holding a tiny baby.

"The girl looks just like Bells," Emmett told Rose as he watched her ball her hands into fists and scrunch up her face.

"The boy looks like her, too!"

Rose held Masen right next to Mia so they could marvel over how similar they looked. Or something. Morphine apparently made my brain a little fuzzy.

"I can't decide if they both look like boys or if they both look like girls."

"I know, right? They look like miniature old people."

"Their faces are really red."

"Um, hello? Stop talking about my babies like I'm not here! They don't look like miniature old people, they look like babies," I scowled at them.

They decided to ignore me and continue talking about my children. Or maybe I hadn't even said it out loud? I huffed, crossing my arms. A few minutes later, Alice and Jasper walked into the room. Jasper had a bouquet of lilies.

"Thank God you're here. Jasper, maybe you can tell your sister to stop being mean to my babies?"

I adjusted myself in bed, struggling to sit up a bit. I really hadn't wanted to have a c-section but Mia's heart rate was dipping every time I had a contraction and I'd rather be in pain than to have anything even remotely bad happen to one of my kids.

"You think she'll listen to me?" Jasper scoffed, setting the vase of lilies on the windowsill. "Where's Edward?"

I rolled my eyes. Jasper and Edward had become best friends forever or something. They seriously talked about twenty times a day and would take Charlotte, Ben and Audrey out on Sunday mornings to 'bond' with them. Yeah, no, they had some sort of bromance going on. And why was Jasper staring at me like that? Probably because you didn't answer his question, Bella. Oops.

"He went to get Audrey, he should be here soon," Em answered for me. I nodded.

"Oh my gosh, Bella! I can't believe you had twins! They're so tiny… oh and their names? Super cute! And they have the same initials!" Alice chatted as she moved around the room, organizing the vases of flowers and bundles of balloons until they were up to par. "Oh, Jas! We have to get a picture of you and Rose each holding a twin… twins holding twins!"

Jasper and Alice were living together again and everything seemed good. A few weeks after Bennett was born, Alice showed up at our door in tears. Jasper was staying with us at that point and there was a huge, dramatic reunion where Alice declared her undying love for Jasper and how she couldn't live without him for another day. So he moved back in with her. I was kind of disappointed because it was nice having a live in pediatrician. Jasper had gotten a partner, who took some of the load off Jasper but there were still parents who wanted their kids to only see him. Like Edward. Like I said… bromance.

I closed my eyes and when I opened them again, Edward was sitting on the edge of the bed. I hadn't even realized I fell asleep. He was showing Jasper the slight bump on Masen's head and Audrey was asleep on his lap.

"Is his brain deformed? Bella asked the doctor if it was alright earlier but she was crying and being dramatic so I was thinking the doctor might have lied," Edward said.

"Nah, man. It's normal. He was probably all set to come out before the Mia's heart rate started dipping," Jasper said, finishing his examination of the baby.

"Shit, do you think there's something wrong with her heart? My dad said no but fuck, I got nervous. All these doctors were in here and they were making me sign shit."

I knew I had made him paranoid.

"I doubt it. She's fine, she's breathing normally. It was most likely the stress from labor."

"I'm suing you for malpractice if you're wrong."

I snorted. Edward was lawsuit happy. He looked over at me and grinned.

"Where are Em, Rose and Alice?" I asked, glancing around the room.

"They just left, Alice said to call her later. Edward wanted me to take a look at Masen's head before I left," Jasper told me before handing Masen to me and saying his goodbyes.

I sat up a little more, laying Masen in my lap and unbundling him from his blankets.

"What are you doing?" Edward asked, his eyebrows raised.

"I'm looking at our son."

"Our son," Edward smiled my favorite crooked smile.

"Mm, our son and our lovely daughters. Audrey, Mia and Masen… I love those names together."

"Thank you for choosing Esme as her middle name. That means a lot," Edward said after a minute of silence. He stood and laid Audrey at the foot of the bed before getting Mia from her bassinet.

"Your mother has been so wonderful… I couldn't imagine a better middle name for Mia."

"I'm surprised you didn't want Charles or Charlie for Masen's middle name."

"I thought about it… but Masen should have the name of the man who loves him the most. Plus, I know you're not a big fan of the name because every time I mentioned it, you made this face," I mimicked the scrunched up nose and laughed as Edward's ears turned red.

He leaned in and kissed me before we both went back to staring at our beautiful children.

The weeks that followed the twins' birth were... hectic.

And crazy.

And exhausting.

But they were wonderful and amazing and even a few days in, I couldn't imagine ever going back to a time without them.

At four weeks, they weren't on anything even close to resembling a schedule, unless you counted that when one fell asleep, the other woke up.

At eight weeks, they were starting to sleep longer periods of time and Edward found that putting them in the same crib actually helped them sleep for longer periods.

You could already see such distinct personalities emerging. Masen was demanding. He knew what he wanted, when he wanted it. If he was hungry, he would let out these wails until he was fed. Mia was a little harder, like she couldn't decide. She'd immediately calm when you did something but when she remembered it wasn't what she wanted, she started up again.

Esme had been a life saver. And most surprisingly, Renee had flown out and been a huge help after Edward went back to work two weeks after the babies came. She surprised me by saying that she was seeing a counselor because she finally realized she had been on a self destructive path for a long time. She was still married to Phil but as I understood it, they were on some sort of break. She then really surprised me by finding a job as a receptionist and renting a small apartment - without asking me for or insinuating that I owed her to pay for it.

But the biggest thing was Audrey's first birthday the next day and Edward's thirty-first. Alice had taken it upon herself to do all the party planning for me since three children under one were incredibly hard work. Everything was going to be a surprise to me, right down to the theme. Then I'd made reservations at a restaurant for Edward and I, our first date night since Masen and Mia came.

Edward was sitting at the edge of our bed in his boxers and glasses when I came in after feeding Masen and getting them settled. I smiled at him and headed toward the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.

"Hey, Bell?"

"Mm?"

"C'mere for a second."

I walked over and stood in front of him. He placed his hands on my hips and pulled me between his knees. I giggled softly, grabbing his shoulders to steady myself. His face was right between my breasts, which he nuzzled gently. I bit my lip, nervous. We hadn't been intimate in any fashion since the twins were born. I was too sore, too tired, too insecure about my body.

Edward slid his hands up my hips under my baggy Kings of Leon shirt, which was actually his Kings of Leon shirt. I placed my hands over his, stopping them from moving further.

After I had Audrey, the weight came off right away. I was almost right back to myself. But this pregnancy had taken a bigger toll on my body. I was still lucky enough that I had few stretch marks but my hips were fuller and I had a scar from the c-section. I felt incredibly unattractive.

"I love you," Edward murmured, face still against my chest.

I ran my fingers through his soft hair, making him moan softly. "I know. I love you."

"You're amazing. So beautiful, an amazing wife," Edward continued to speak in hushed tones, his hands sliding to my ass for a squeeze. It felt good and for the first time since the twins came, I wanted... something. Maybe not sex but... no, definitely sex.

"Wait, wait, hold on," I moved his hands from my ass. I needed to brush my teeth, at least. Thankfully I had gotten my legs and... all other important areas waxed. But maybe a quick rinse in the shower, so I didn't smell like baby puke from Mia's night time feeding and subsequent spit up.

"Bella..."

"No, I promise… wait here, ten minutes?"

Edward's face brightened as he nodded. I grinned and turned toward the bathroom.

Okay, Bella. Edward's been great. He's majorly cut back on his hours at work like he promised. He totally deserves some birthday sex and you should totally not let your hang ups get in your way!

As I gave myself a pep talk, I took the quickest shower I ever had in my life. I made sure to wash with Edward's favorite strawberry scented body wash. I hopped out once I was squeaky clean and brushed my teeth, examining myself in the mirror.

Not... awful. Not nearly as bad as in my head. My scar was already looking much better and my pudge was going away, thanks to getting the okay from Dr. Morgan to exercise. Not to mention breastfeeding two babies... actually, three, since Audrey was still breastfeeding. By the time I finished in the bathroom, I felt good, maybe a little confident.

And Edward was... lying in bed, his eyes closed. I felt my bottom lip start to quiver and took it between my teeth, inhaling a deep breath at the same time. He'd never fallen asleep before sex, the anticipation was always enough to keep him... up. In the back of my mind I knew he was just tired, too. He was working then coming home and helping with three babies and waking up at night when both Mia and Masen were awake. But it still didn't stop me from feeling unwanted and definitely not as sexy as I used to.

I grabbed a baggy t-shirt from his dresser and a pair of panties, slipping them on before I turned the light off and carefully slid into bed, not wanting to disturb his sleep. I leaned in and kissed his cheek softly, whispering, "I love you."

"Mmm, I love you," Edward murmured, his voice raspy. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me onto him and causing me to squeal softly. I held myself up to look at him but rested the rest of my body against his and he felt... so good. I adjusted myself so my legs were bent on either side of his hips, straddling him. I could already feel him, hard between my legs, and I had to resist the urge to rub against him.

"I thought you were sleeping!"

"Just resting up," he said before catching my lips with his at the same time as his hands found their way up my shirt, first on my hips then drawing lazy circles on my stomach. I squirmed uncomfortably before trying to push his hands up or down or just away from the part of myself that I was so sensitive about. "B..."

I rolled off him, shaking my head and worrying my bottom lip between my teeth. Edward flicked on his lamp before leaning over me, tucking a piece of damp hair behind my ear.

"You know I think you're beautiful and sexy, Bella. You had three babies in a year, it's gonna take time to get your body back. But fuck, I think you're perfect the way you are. I love you and I want you, that's never going to change... wouldn't you love me no matter what I looked like?"

I scrunched up my face, pretending to think about it before smiling up at my husband and nodding my head. He was right, I wouldn't care if he had a gut or a scar or a billion scars because it wasn't what he looked like that I'd fallen in love with... though it was a nice addition.

Edward gave me my favorite crooked smile in return before I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down to kiss me.

Within minutes, we were both naked and Edward was tightly gripping my hips as he slowly slid his cock into me. I cried out softly, my head rolling back. It felt so... good. A little painful but good at the same time.

"Fuuuuuck, B... God, baby, you feel so fucking good around me," Edward groaned, stilling once he was buried inside me. I whimpered and tried to move my hips against his, desperate for friction, but he was gripping me tightly.

"Edwaaard," I whined. I wrapped my legs around him, pushing my heels into his ass.

"I'm gonna come pretty fast if you keep that up, Bella," he panted in my ear before slowly pulling his hips back. I used the leverage of my heels on his ass to help him thrust a little more forcefully than he intended. He groaned my name and within minutes, we were gaining momentum. I felt myself growing closer to orgasm when Edward's hand slid between us, finding my clit with his thumb and flicking it. That was all it took, I cried out his name and came, spasming around him.

"Bella... fuck, I'm gonna cum," Edward's thrusts became harder and more erratic.

"Wait! Pull out, don't... in me," I said, suddenly remembering. I hadn't gone on birth control yet and Edward hadn't put on a condom, even though he'd bought a ton. We needed to be more careful, I definitely didn't want another baby for a long while.

Edward groaned but did what he was asked, cumming on my stomach instead.

A few minutes later, we were cleaned up and Edward was holding me tightly against him in our now darkened room.

I glanced at the clock and noticed it was just after midnight.

"Audrey was born exactly a year ago right now," I whispered, not really able to believe it.

"I can't wait for tomorrow, I can't wait for her party... do you think she'll get it?"

"I don't know, I've been trying to psych her up but she just looks at me like I'm crazy."

We were silent for a few minutes until I leaned up and kissed his lips, "Happy Birthday, Edward."

"I wish I had met you sooner," he murmured sleepily after a few more moments of silence.

I snuggled my head against his chest and smiled. Edward, a year ago, would have never made a statement like that. "I'm glad you had to wait, makes you appreciate me that much more, hm?"

"Mm... you're a good wife," he mumbled, only half coherent. "So glad I found you... and Audrey... Mia and Mas... and other babies we'll have... mmm, and our house..."

I shook my head, "No more babies."

"Lots more," Edward adjusted himself a bit, pulling me closer against him. I felt my eyes growing heavier and finally gave in, falling asleep with a smile on my face.

Audrey's party went off without a hitch.

Alice did a wonderful job and kept it simple, just like I'd asked. She'd gone with a daisy theme and there were flowers everywhere - Audrey loved it. She kept pointing and laughing at them. The cake had pale pink and lavender daisies all over it and there was a tiny separate cake just for Audrey, which ended up smeared all over her own face along with Edward's and mine.

I thought my heart was gonna burst with happiness at one point when Edward was taking a break from the festivities and sitting in the shade. Somehow, he'd ended up with all three kids but he didn't look overwhelmed or frustrated in the least. He looked so... happy and proud. I snapped a few pictures before he could look up and notice me.

As I got closer, I could hear him talking to the babies and telling them about the day Audrey was born, how my water broke it Target. I giggled and caught his attention. He looked up and grinned crookedly.

Maybe things weren't perfect. Sure, I was 29 instead of 23. We fought sometimes and didn't have the white picket fence or blue shutters and sometimes, our kids cried for no good reason. And maybe things wouldn't always be happy and perfect. But there was no way I would change a single thing.

I'm sorry it took me so long to post this! I've had school, oral surgery and bunches of other stuff going on. So we've reached the end, only the epilogue is left. Hopefully, it won't take me a billion years to post. Thanks to Angel and Christina for your input on this chapter.