If part of the text is in Itallics, it most likely means thoughts or a flashback.

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Twilight.

Bella's POV

"Hello, Edward." I said quietly.

"You KNOW him?" My kids said simultaneously.

"Yes, we used to be... good friends." I replied, not taking my gaze off of him. He wasn't taking his eyes off of me, and he looked at me questionably.

"Umm...yeah."

What's going on, mom? Conner was in my head.

Yeah. I'm confused. So Renee's here too.

Who isn't? Oh great. There's Rose-Alice. The whole party's here. Anyone else wanna' join? I looked back over at Edward. He was still looking at me... in amazement.

Is everyone blocking their thoughts around him?

Yes, Mom. They replied.

Okay, Good. Do NOT let him know you are my kids.

Why not? They all wondered.

Just because. Not until I say so.

"Umm..." He cleared his throat. I turned back to him.

"Yes?"

"You look... great. As always. I can see..." he forced the word out. "vampirism suits you well."

"Thanks. You haven't changed. You look good too." I wasn't saying just how good.

"Thank you, love." Then he looked embarrased.

"What did you just call her?" Conner got over-protective. As always.

"No, Conner, it's okay." Conner glared at him. Edward looked up.

"Bella, will you take a walk with me?"

"Sure." I started to follow. My kids followed suit.

"Umm... alone?"

"Okay. Back off, guys." They were cautious, but went back to the table. We headed out the door and to the closest trees. We didn't go very far out when he stopped and tuned to hold my hands in his.

"Bella, I miss you. So much."

"Okay...?" Suddenly, he looked up.

"Wait, where's the mutt?"

"He's...gone. And not coming back. And I left it at that. Truth was, when Jacob found out he was going to be a father of triplets, he took off at his first chance. That's what gave me the scar on my leg. He'd started shaking, and I'd tried to calm him down, like always. But this time, it didn't work.

"No, Bella. Back up. You'll get hurt." He'd stated.

"You won't hurt me."

"I don't want to take that chance. Back UP." I'd taken one step back, but I wasn't fast enough. He phased, his paw slashing a cut into the back of my leg. I sank to the ground, my leg searing with pain as he ran off into the forest, leaving me hurt, and he was never to be seen again.

"Oh." Edward brought me back to the present. Was that a hint of... hopefulness in his eyes? "I'm sorry. Who were the children in there, may I ask?"

"They're... my...kids."

"What? I suppose I did deserve it." he mumbled.

"What? No! No!" I figured he would have blamed himself.

"And since they are Jacob's children, I'm assuming, the boy has become... one of them since I'm here?" he cursed under his breath.

"No." He looked up in surprise. "He already has. There were a few that came through here about a month ago." I whispered.

"How old are they?" He said so low, that even I had to strain to hear him.

"They're triplets. They are all seventeen." I stated. And then he growled.

"Forever frozen at seventeen."

"Like you can talk!" I snapped. My maternal instinct had kicked in. I instantly regretted saying it.

"You think I chose this life? That I wanted it to be this way? To find the love of my life only to be tortured by that same one, who then left me? I was miserable." That one hurt.

"I'm sorry. I would say I wish I hadn't done it, but I don't. I could never regret my children."

Whoo! Go Mom! Um... Oops... Guess I blew our cover, guys. Conner.

Way to go, Conner! Rosalice snapped.

Yeah, smooth move. And there was Renee.

Remember, just block your thoughts around him. I warned.

Got it. Conner reported.

"Bella. I still love you. I never stopped. I want to be the father that mutt never was. Please. I want you back. I love you." I was shocked. I couldn't speak.

"I...um...uh..."

"Please." he begged. I finally got the words to talk.

"I...don't know what to say. I...need some time to think about it."

"Whatever you think is best." he repeated almost inaudibly as he quietly walked away. I watched him creep through the forest until I could no longer see or hear him.

Mom, you okay? I wasn't paying enough attention to notice who it was in my head this time.

Yeah. I'm fine. Call Elizabeth and Brandon. Get them over here. I want them at the house. We all need to talk.

Kay. I'll call 'em.

Good. I'm coming back.

Kay. They're here.

Thank you. How long had I been walking? Either I was being really slow, or they were being really fast. Or maybe both. I started running faster and faster until I finally reached the house. I burst in to see Eli, Brandon, Renee, Rosalice and Conner having a silent conversaion. I knew my kids were replaying what had happened out in the woods. When Brandon and Eli heard me say Jacob's name, they started hissing. I had told them about Jacob. Let's just say...they weren't too happy with him, to put it very nicely. When their story was over, they all turned to me. Brandon took a step forward. I cringed a step back.

"So...what are you gonna' do?" He asked, backing off.

"I... I don't know. I just don't know. It's like I told Edward. I just need time to think. What do you guys think?"

"Mom, it doesn't matter what..." Conner started, but Rosalice hit him in the back of the head, knowing what he was about to say. She cut in.

"Mom, I think you should do it. Let him in your life. He seems like a nice enough guy, and evidently, you were with him before..." she stopped, hesitated for a minute, knowing she wasn't supposed to know this stuff, and continued on a different note. "You almost married the guy! And you hate marriage!" We all laughed at that one. "All we want is for you to be happy, Mom." And with that, they all walked out of the room to let me think. I thought about what Rosalice said. All we want is for you to be happy. Happy. What is happy?