Chapter 32

Disclaimer: We still own nothing but a reformed Doucheward who is becoming rather Swoonward.

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Chapter Songs:

"Love Can Build a Bridge" The Judds

"These Are the Days" Natalie Merchant

"There You'll Be" Faith Hill

"This Woman's Work" Kate Bush

BPOV

When Edward told me about his conversation with Emmett, I couldn't believe it. I knew that Carlisle had issues with Edward and me, but I couldn't believe he had tried to pay off Rose and he ordered her to have an abortion. Carlisle must have been a few bricks short of a load. Or he was just an unbelievably cruel bastard.

Neither Charlie nor Carlisle would be winning father of the year any time soon. I really hoped that Emmett would tell Esme about what Carlisle had attempted to do to him and Rosalie. She had a right to know about the attempted bribe.

The next morning I met Esme in the kitchen at 6 to begin preparing Thanksgiving dinner. Billy had called last night and offered to make his specialty: fresh roasted corn soup. Jacob told me they usually ate it with toasted cheese bread. Since I adored baking, I decided to make a few loaves of cheese bread to go with the soup. We would be able to have the bread and soup as an appetizer while the main dishes finished cooking.

The fact that Esme had double ovens in her kitchen made food preparation so much easier, and I was a little bit jealous about the amazing set up. The twenty pound turkey went in first. While I made the bread, Esme made homemade crusts for our pies. Although there were only going to be nine people eating lunch at the house, well eleven if you counted Rose and Emmett's unborn twins, we decided on a total of 6 pies: three pumpkin, 2 pecan and one of Edward's favorite, apple crumb.

To round out the main meal, Esme and I made roasted red potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans with almond slivers, oyster dressing, giblet gravy, spinach salad, and rolls. After seeing a demonstration of Rosalie's appetite for carbs last night, we had no doubt that she would continue her food fest today, too.

As we spent the morning cooking, Emmett, Jasper and Edward spent time downstairs in the game room playing pool and watching football. Rose and Alice had taken over the den where Alice was showing Rose various outfits online that she thought were a must for the twins' wardrobe. Edward took a break from spending time with his brother and his best friend to set the table with Esme's finest china.

Billy and Jake arrived a little before noon. We had planned to have the main meal at one, but Emmett and Rose kept begging to be fed. It wasn't Emmett who guilted us into rushing dinner, it was Rose. She loving patted her stomach, pouted her lips and would give us the saddest puppy dog eyes. With that pathetic, longing gaze, it was no wonder that Emmett catered to her every whim. Rose most definitely knew how to get exactly what she wanted. How could anyone turn down the request to feed the starving, almost eight month pregnant woman?

Everyone had eaten the soup and cheese bread and were chatting in the living room, while Esme and I placed the full meal on the buffet behind the dining room table. I caught Rose peeking her head around the corner of the dining room. If I wasn't mistaken, there was drool beginning to run down her chin as she saw the feast we were serving for lunch.

"That looks amazing," Rose whispered almost reverently.

Esme wiped her hand on her apron then removed the stained cloth as she gave the buffet a final glace at the food we'd set out. "I guess it is time to feed our hoard," she laughed.

I had barely turned the corner to call everyone to the table when I saw that everyone was already up and headed our direction. "We didn't say that you could come and eat yet," I joked with them.

"But, Bella, if you don't let us in there soon, Rosie will eat everything," Emmett whined pitifully.

"I heard that, Emmett Dale Cullen!" Rose yelled at him from the dining room. Emmett acted like a scolded child after hearing her tone, but I noticed her words were a tad muffled. I would bet my life that she had already begun eating her lunch.

"Well, dinner is ready," I laughed as I got out of the way of the stampede as they went to the dining room.

The food was spread out on the buffet on the dining room wall and everyone, except Rose, who was already seated and almost shoveling her food in her mouth, loaded their plates. After everyone was seated, Esme addressed all of her guests, "Before we begin our meal, I would like to go around the table and share what we are most thankful for."

"I'll start," Rose mumbled through a mouthful of food. "I am so thankful for all of this. The kids and I are starving," she told us as she put a huge chunk of turkey in her mouth.

We couldn't help but smile at her exuberance. Emmett shook his head and kissed her on the cheek. "I'm thankful for this incredible woman and the two miracles she is carrying." Emmett had barely gotten the last word out of his mouth before he began giving Rose a run for her money on speed eating.

"I'm thankful to be sharing my Thanksgiving with such a wonderful group of friends," Billy said. "It means the world to Jake and me that you included us today."

"It was our pleasure," Esme beamed a smile at him.

It was now Jake's turn. I could tell that he was struggling. The holidays were going to be so tough on him without Emily to share them with. "This has been a tough year for me. I'm just thankful to be here with friends and for all their help in getting me through everything."

I reached over the table and patted his hand. "I'm thankful for second chances and new beginnings," I said looking into Edward's beautiful eyes. He leaned in and kissed me softly on the cheek.

"I'm also thankful for second chances," Edward declared, his gaze never wavering from mine.

"You can't say the same thing as Bella, Edward. That's not how —," Emmett. "Ouch, Rosie!" Emmett reached down to rub his shin.

"He can be thankful for whatever he wants to be," Rose said. I really couldn't look at her right now, not while she was talking with a mouthful of semi-chewed food that I was sure would end up splattered on the tabletop at any moment.

"I'm thankful to be with my very best friends and my girl," Jasper declared. Alice's beaming smile lit up the whole room with his words.

"I'm thankful my big brothers are here. Oh, I'm also glad that there are going to be two babies for me to dress up in amazing clothes and to spoil absolutely rotten," Alice said.

Esme was the last to share her thanks. Her eyes were alight with joy and happiness. "I'm thankful that all of my children are here with me and for our wonderful friends. I'm also beyond thankful that Bella was here to help me prepare enough food for our small army!"

The rest of our meal was filled with small talk and lots and lots of food. Rose did eat enough for a small army. I stopped counting how many plates she had eaten after six.

Billy and Jake stayed only a few minutes after they finished eating. I could understand Jake's difficulty. Almost everyone was coupled up. I knew that just thinking about Emily was tearing him up inside. But I was glad that he and Billy decided to spend lunch with us today. Esme and I fixed them some leftovers to take home with them. Edward walked them both to the truck since it was easier when two people helped Billy in the truck.

After lunch, Rosalie admitted she was not only stuffed but exhausted. Emmett helped her to their room upstairs before heading downstairs with Jasper, Edward, and Alice.

I helped Esme put the food away and clean the kitchen. As I was washing up the last of the pans, I felt warm air and soft lips against my nape.

I turned and met Edward's lips with mine.

"I think I'm feeling the after effects of those oysters you put in the dressing, Love," Edward whispered in my ear. His sexy voice and the moist air from his breath washed over my skin almost making me melt into a puddle in the kitchen floor.

"I promise to help you take care of your issues later tonight, handsome," I whispered back. "Having fun playing pool downstairs with everyone?"

"I don't think pool is going to last much longer. It seems dear, sweet Alice has turned into a pool shark. I got two shots in before she ended up kicking my ass," Edward chuckled.

"Jasper and Alice play a few times a week," Esme said. "I didn't realize that she had gotten so good at it."

"Good is an understatement, Mom. You should go watch Alice kill Emmett," Edward suggested to me as Esme finished drying the last of the pans and putting them away. "Emmett is pouting so badly he may now have permanent frown lines," Edward laughed.

"Emmett has never lost anything to Alice. This I've got to see," I dried my hands and kissed him on the cheek. "Are you coming back downstairs?"

"I'll be there in a few minutes, baby. I need to talk to Mom for a minute," Edward said.

As I headed to the stairwell, I heard Esme ask Edward, "Is something wrong, honey?"

"Let's head to the office and chat," Edward said.

I faintly heard the office door shut as I reached the basement.

"Ally, what the hell?" Emmett grumbled as I looked over and watched her sink her last ball. Most of Emmett's balls were still scattered around the pool table. Emmett threw his cue on the table, and I joined Alice and Jasper in laughing as he stalked to the couch, threw himself down, and sulked.

"What's the matter, Emmett?" Alice taunted as she plopped down beside him and threw her arm around him. "Is it that you can't stand to lose, you can't stand to lose to me, or you can't stand to lose to a girl?" Alice asked with a smirk.

I swear his lips stuck out like a kid who was denied his favorite toy. "It's all three, okay, Ally?" Emmett mumbled.

"You have always loved competition, Emmett," I said as I sat down on his other side. "I can't wait to see how you handle two kids. Are you going to be frustrated when one baby's diaper isn't on exactly as the other's?"

"Ha ha, Bella. You are all just a bunch of comedians today, huh?" Emmett was still moping which was definitely a sight to behold. "Jasper, aren't you going to help me out here? The girls are ganging up on me."

"Emmett, I know when to pick a battle, and I know when to bow out. I am definitely keeping my nose out of this one," Jasper told him.

"Gee, with friends like you all —" Emmett began.

"You know we love you, Emmett," I told him with a kiss to his cheek.

"I love you too, Emmy Bear," Alice said as she kissed his other cheek.

"Oh, I just can't stay mad at you two," Emmett said as he crushed us both to him in a huge bear hug.

"Emmett, get up here now!" Our camaraderie was suddenly disrupted as we heard Edward shout frantically from the first floor.

Emmett ran up the stairs as we rapidly followed him. Esme and Rose were on the couch. Rose was deathly pale with one hand on her stomach and the other squeezing Esme's.

"Baby, what is it? What's wrong?" Emmett said in a whisper as he squatted down in front of Rosalie, taking her hand in his.

"It's the babies, Emmett," Rosalie whimpered as she grabbed at her stomach again. "I think I'm in labor."

With her words, Emmett became as ashen as Rosalie. "It's too soon, baby. Are you sure?" Emmett asked.

"I don't think it's Braxton Hicks. My contractions are getting closer together, and they are getting stronger," Rose admitted.

"We have to get you to your doctor in Seattle," Emmett urged.

"There's no way that we will make it in time," Rose muttered. "We're going to have to go to the hospital here."

As she said those words, Edward's and my eyes met, silently praying that the man who helped raise them and also tried to destroy them was not on duty today.

"Emmett, where are your keys? I will get the car and bring it up so you can help Rose get down the stairs," Edward said. Emmett pulled his keys out of his pocket and handed them to Edward. As he was on his way out the door, Edward turned to look at me.

"Go, babe. Take Emmett, Rose and your mom to the hospital in Emmett's car. Jasper can drive Alice and me," I assured him.

Emmett scooped Rose in his arms and kissed her softly on her forehead. "It's going to be okay, baby," Emmett vowed to her as he began to carry her to the car. "All three of you will be fine. I swear it."

"I love you so much, Emmett," Rose breathed.

"You three are my life, Rose," Emmett murmured as Esme followed them out the door.

The car ride was silent as we followed them a few minutes later to the hospital. By the time that we had parked and made our way into the hospital, Rose had already been admitted into labor and delivery. Edward and Esme were in the waiting room, and Emmett was with Rose while she was being examined by a doctor.

"Mom, be honest with us," Alice begged. "They'll be okay, right?"

"Alice, Rose is strong and in great health. Most pregnancies with multiple births don't make it to full term. She's in good hands right now," Esme explained, reassuring all of us with her calm and inner strength.

Suddenly another doctor and four nurses entered Rose's room. I heard a familiar voice let loose a blood curdling scream which sent chills down my spine.

Emmett was ushered out of the room mere seconds later, and he had tears streaming down his face. Esme ran to him and wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"What's wrong, Emmett? Is everything alright with Rose and the babies?" Esme asked as she led him to the waiting area to sit on a couch.

"I don't know what's going on, Mom," Emmett cried as he grabbed onto Esme tightly. "It looked like everything was going fine. Suddenly, Rose shouted and the monitors connected to her went wild. The doctor said something about her placenta and that the babies had to come out right now," Emmett sobbed. "I can't lose them, Mom. I can't imagine my life without Rose or the babies."

Emmett got up from the couch and began walking up and down the hallway. "I can't lose her. I can't lose her," Emmett mumbled over and over as the tears never stopped flowing down his face.

Esme watched Emmett closely. Her face mirrored his. Jasper wrapped Alice in his arms as she wiped at the tears on her face. Edward held my hands as I felt my heart breaking for Emmett. This was supposed to be the happiest time of his life. He was married to his soul mate. They were so happy, absolutely perfect for each other. The look on their faces when they told us that they were having twins last night, there was no doubt in my mind that they would be the most incredible parents ever.

Just when I thought things couldn't get worse for Emmett and his family, a voice that none of us wanted to hear broke through, "Emmett, what are you doing here?" Carlisle asked.

"You!" Emmett roared as he grabbed Carlisle by the neck of his shirt and slammed his back into the wall. "You wanted her to kill them. You wanted her to leave me. I hope you are happy, you worthless excuse for a father," Emmett spat as he kept shoving his father into the wall.

"Problems with the wife and baby," Carlisle smirked at Emmett. The look in Carlisle's eyes was almost inhuman. How could a father look at his own child with such contempt? I could feel the hate radiating off Carlisle in waves. Certainly I had misinterpreted his comment and his reaction. He would never purposefully wish harm to his own grandchildren. What kind of person could do that?

"My wife is in there," Emmett bellowed as he pointed to her room. "Something is wrong, and the doctors are trying to deliver our twins who aren't due for another 7 weeks."

I felt the tension in Edward's body increase with each passing second. Esme, Jasper and Alice had absolutely no idea why Emmett would be so angry with his father. Their faces were filled with confusion.

"If she had gotten rid of them like I told her to do, you wouldn't be in this predicament, would you, Emmett?" Carlisle insisted with a half smile playing on his face.

"You God damned bastard," Emmett snarled as he threw his arm back with his hand in a fist aimed right at Carlisle.

A/N: Carlisle a bastard? *raises hand in agreement with Emmett* What's going to happen to Rose and the babies? How is Esme going to react when she finds out what Carlisle asked Rose to do?

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We have a new story, New York Minute. As teenagers Bella and her best friend dream of meeting their celebrity crushes. When they find themselves living in New York after college, they find out dreams can come true in a New York minute. ←This story is also on Archive of Our Own and TWCS.