Thanks to my pre-reader Bridgette (aka A Jasper For Me). This chapter is unbeta'd, with Jen dealing with some family issues. Prayers to you, sweetie. Any mistakes are mine!

See below for AN

*I don't own them.

Moving In

EPOV

It had been two weeks since Alice's birthday, two weeks since we found out both inspections on the house passed, and two weeks since Bella told me she had changed her mind about testifying against James Monroe. Although I wanted to support Bella's decisions, it was hard for me to get behind her choice to help the prosecution at a re-trial. The thought of her facing that sick piece of shit James, or even Victoria, almost made me ill. But, I had to temper my protests because I have found that it is hard to push Bella into a decision. She has to get there herself. So, I decided to focus my energies on our new house and the fact she was carrying our twins.

One week after the inspections were completed, Bella and I became new homeowners. I reveled, seeing her eyes light up when she was handed the keys. The previous owners had snapped up our offer and moved out immediately, so they could stay together in Minneapolis. I helped make some selections, but left most of the decorating choices up to Bella who had the undivided attention of my mom and sister while picking out furniture, paint, curtains, basically everything that would make this home ours. Since we decided to keep the apartment in the city, everything that went to the house would be brand new. Most of the ordered furnishings were scheduled to be delivered in the coming days.

I had given my notice at the hospital, agreeing to continue on staff through the month of October. Although I was still employed there for the next couple of weeks, my hours had decreased to ease the transition. A new pediatrician had been hired and she seemed to be fitting in well. My time away from the hospital had been occupied with setting up our new home. I told Bella that we could just hire people to do a thorough cleaning and re-paint the rooms we wanted in different colors, but she insisted that it would make her feel that it was more hers to do these things ourselves. I appeased Bella by letting her do the cleaning she wanted, but I wouldn't let her near the paint. The fumes were not good for her or the babies.

That was why I got wrangled into going shopping with Jasper on Saturday morning for more supplies. Bella and I had all our clothes and items we wanted to move from the apartment packed up and ready to move. I had insisted on hiring men to transport our things from the city to our house and carry them in. There was no way Bella was going to be carting around those boxes. We only had a few more rooms left in the new house that needed refreshing before we could complete our move.

Jasper and I made quick time getting to the hardware store from our house. Suburbia did have the benefits of large stores in relatively close driving distances. As we pulled into the parking lot, I took out the list given to me by Alice and Bella, glancing over it.

What the hell is emotional lemon paint?

"Jasper, do you know what this is?" I showed him the paper and pointed. I watched him scratch his head and shrug his shoulders.

"I don't know, man. Sounds like a stripper's name." I stared at him for a couple seconds wondering why I had thought he would be of any help to me. I shook my head and looked around. We were going to need some professional help to figure out this list.

We walked around and I threw a bunch of items into my cart that I thought I might need. Doorknobs, nails, krazy glue, a cool looking hammer, all of which were not on my list when I glanced at it again. I decided to abandon my sidekick when he got distracted by shiny power tools, and find someone in the paint section that might be able to assist me.

I was a little wary when I pulled my cart up to the paint counter and a teenage kid with blue streaks in his hair and two nose-rings asked if he could help me. I looked at his nametag displayed and the blue apron he was sporting and wondered if he had dyed his hair to match his work gear.

"Yes, I am going to need the items on this list and I really have no clue what some of these things are." I explained. He grinned when I handed him the paper.

"No problem, that's why I'm here." At least Zeke, as I learned his name to be, was a cheerful guy. He actually ended up being extremely helpful also. He made quick work of the list, helping me gather everything I needed and mixing the different paint selections for me while chatting away. I discovered emotional lemon was a pale yellow color of paint. I didn't even mind Zeke's penchant for discussing forensic analysis methodology, although I did stop him when he offered to show me his wicked skull tattoo he just had done on his hip.

With two carts full of supplies, I went in search of Jasper. I found him still in one piece although I could tell he was making the employees nervous as he played with a power-saw.

The power-saw intrigued me though. Maybe I will pick one of those up?

Eventually, we got everything loaded in the jeep and arrived back at the house. I walked in carrying a mountain of bags, dropping them everywhere when I saw my Bella up on a step-ladder, wiping down a high shelf.

"Bella!" My screech must have startled her because my heart stopped when she teetered precariously as I ran over. I reached her and wrapped my arms around her tightly, her fine ass staring right into my face. She turned her head and glared down at me.

"Jesus, Edward. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Oh, no. She's not turning this around on me.

"What are you doing up there?" It seemed like a reasonable question in my mind.

"What does it look like I'm doing?"

"You're pregnant." I explained indignantly.

"What is your point, Edward?"

"You can't be on a ladder." I didn't miss the eyeroll she gave me.

"Bella, my love, you are vestibularly-challenged even on good days. I like when both your feet are on the ground."

"What did you just call me?" I tried my innocent grin, one perfected by my father. It didn't seem to be working. Her narrowed eyes bored into mine and I gulped. I definitely shouldn't have used the word vestibular. A change of tactics was in order.

The hands that were wrapped around her started roaming her denim-clad thighs. I smiled when I could practically feel her mood changing from mad to aroused. I continued rubbing her legs and kneading her ass until I heard her first moan. At that signal, I snatched her up into my arms so I could place her on the ground. Pressing her into the wall, I kissed her until both of us were panting. Unfortunately, we were reminded at that moment we had company.

I vaguely heard a throat clearing across the room. Jasper was the master cockblocker. I turned to glare at him while Bella just giggled. My head turned back to her, and I smiled down, loving it when she laughed.

"Come on, Edward." She said, pushing me away. "We'll never get done today if you keep distracting me."

We were planning to have the house completely ready for our furniture to be delivered the next day. She thought we would be spending the night again at the apartment, but little did she know that I had a surprise in order. Our first night in our new home was going to be that night. But, she was right in that we still had work to do.

"Alright. Let's get this done." I sighed, before turning back to the dropped bags. Bella followed me over to make sure we got everything.

"Edward, what in the world is all this stuff? Did you buy out the whole store?" She started peeking into the bags, shaking her head at my purchases. She picked up two doorknobs and held them out to me. "What are these for? You do know all the doors in this house already have knobs, right?"

"Yes." There was nothing wrong with being prepared, my inner boy scout proclaimed. "These are just in case we need them someday."

"Yeah? And what about this?" She asked, kicking a box containing a chainsaw. I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to remember why I had bought the chainsaw. I needed a reason other than that I thought it looked cool and I liked to think of myself as a chainsaw owner.

"There could be an emergency someday where I have to cut through some wood." I explained. "It's only a small one." I added. She just shook her head. I was pretty sure I heard her muttering about not sending men to the hardware store anymore.

"I think I am going to go back and get that power saw." I nodded at Jasper's declaration as we plotted turning part of the garage into a workshop to build things. Bella rolled her eyes.

"Edward, I don't want you slicing your fingers off in some freak accident because you two want to play with power tools."

"These skilled fingers know how to use a tool," I told her, grinning widely. Her snort revealed that she was not convinced. Alice chose that moment to enter the room. She joined Bella in staring at the mountain of bags that Jasper and I had piled in the middle of the floor.

"I sent you to the store with only four things on the list." When I began to explain to her the need to be prepared for anything, she waved me off. "Nevermind, I don't want to know. I should have known better than to send you and Jasper to a store filled with shiny things." She looked at Bella and smiled. "My dear, the kitchen is a go." Bella's answering squeal had me following the two of them in to take a look at our kitchen.

Alice had put up a border on the walls along the ceiling after we had repainted it. It really looked terrific and Bella's excitement wore off on me. Jasper and I just laughed as we watched the two of them dancing around the kitchen. My eyes couldn't help taking a brief glance over at the refrigerator. The newest ultrasound picture of our twins had been displayed proudly ever since our most recent appointment a few days prior. The latest visit resulted in assurance that both Bella and the babies were progressing normally. It was hard to imagine that it had already been four months. The time seemed to be flying by. I was broken from my thoughts by another voice in the room.

"What's all the commotion?" I turned to see Rose walking in, her hair covered in a bandana and a smear of paint across her cheek. Rose, Jasper, and I were responsible for all the painting since we didn't want Bella or Alice around the fumes.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Bella asked, pointing out the border to Rose.

"It's terrific, Alice. I may need to hire you when Em and I eventually move to the 'burbs." She said with a grin. "Oh, here's more good news. Only one room left to go!"

"The nursery." Bella said softly, smiling over at me.

"Yes, you boys got the right paint, correct?" Alice asked. Jasper and I nodded. Emotional lemon was for the nursery and was not a stripper. Alice then went back to general mode, directing us to our respective jobs. Jasper and I were assigned to paint the nursery while they finished hanging curtains downstairs.

It didn't take Jasper and I very long to paint the nursery. I cracked open the windows after we finished, letting the crisp, fall air flow through. I couldn't wait for all of our furniture and packed boxes to arrive the next day. I smiled to myself, realizing that Bella had been right. It would have been easy to hire people to come in and paint, clean, and decorate everything to our specifications, but she wanted us to do these things ourselves. She said it would make it feel like it was ours, and it really did. I glanced in all the rooms as I passed, making my way downstairs. There was a sense of accomplishment that we had changed what was already great, into something that was perfect for us and our soon-to-be growing family.

Emmett had showed up by the time we were done painting. I walked in to find him hanging curtains in the living room, glowering at Alice every time she told him to move a piece a little bit to the left or right. Jasper and I chuckled from across the room. We both shut up quickly when Alice turned her head and raised her eyebrows at us.

Soon after, Bella and Alice declared the house ready, and we all sat down on the floor exhausted from the work and the clean-up. Bella sat between my legs, leaning back against me while I rubbed her belly mindlessly.

"We should feed these guys since they helped us so much," she said to me, turning her face toward mine.

Everyone agreed on pizza and I called a local chain for our first delivery. After eating, they all said their goodbyes and said they would be by the next day to help with unpacking. Emmett joked that he was glad it was the Bears bye week because this was harder work than football practice. Bella turned to me after she shut the door behind them.

"Are you ready to go back to the apartment?" I shook my head and wrapped her up in a hug.

"No," I said, kissing her softly. I chuckled at her questioning look. "You go upstairs and take a look at the nursery. Give me ten minutes. I have a surprise for you."

"Okay," she said, with a dreamy smile.

I watched her walk toward the stairs, staring at me as she climbed. As soon as she was out of sight, I ran to the car and unloaded the trunk. I sprinted around, trying to get things set up quickly.

I couldn't wait to see her face when she came back downstairs.

BPOV

I walked upstairs, not having a clue what my beautiful man had up his sleeve. A sense of calm and happiness fell over me as I walked through all the bedrooms upstairs. Everything was so perfect and I couldn't help hugging my arms around myself, trying to hold all my joy inside. My smile only grew as I entered the nursery, saving it for last. Alice was right. The pale yellow color was perfect. My hand rubbed my belly and I enjoyed imagining how it would look after the furniture had been added.

My stream of consciousness flowed from thoughts of my babies to thinking over the last couple weeks since Alice's birthday.

I knew that my decision to testify against James had upset Edward and Emmett, but I felt like it was something that I needed to do. I couldn't stand by and let my father's name be dragged through the mud. Besides, maybe true justice would be served before the trial ever came up and James would get attacked and killed in a prison riot? Or, possibly shanked with a fork while standing in line for a meal? Perhaps, hung by his scrawny neck by a noose crafted from bed sheets? I guess to some people it may seem gruesome for me to wish death upon another, but I felt justified in wanting an eye for an eye in this case.

Edward had almost seemed a little distant to me in the first couple days following my revelation. I think he was just scared for me. I wondered if he didn't think I was strong enough to face James, or maybe he thought it would not be healthy for the babies. In my mind, I believed my children would rather have a mother who was strong enough to face her demons and protect her family. Eventually, Edward calmed down and things returned to normal. We hadn't talked much more about my decision, but I believed he would support me no matter what may happen in the coming months.

I suddenly heard a sound from downstairs, sounding suspiciously like Edward dragging something across the floor. I hoped he wasn't doing any damage to the gorgeous hard wood flooring in our living room. I shook my head, laughing to myself as I tried to imagine what kind of nonsense he was up to down there. Looking down at my clothes, I winced at my disheveled appearance. I decided to go clean myself up some before joining Edward. I walked into our bedroom, admiring the vast space that would be occupied with our new bed the next day, and entered the large walk-in closet. Alice had seen to my new maternity wardrobe being put in place immediately. Our shopping trip had been quite the experience.

The Saturday following her birthday party, Alice had called me up at seven in the morning telling me to get out of bed and get myself ready to go. No amount of griping, groaning, or complaining would deter her. Edward just chuckled at me as I had to get up out of bed and into the shower, before he went back to sleep in the warm cocoon of our blankets. I was tempted to throw a cup of cold water on him in revenge, but decided that might be a little too mean even with my hormonal imbalance factor.

After showering and changing into some unrespectable stretchy leggings and a loose-fitting sweatshirt, I went down to eat breakfast before Alice showed up to drag me around Chicago. My newest favorite concoction was toast topped with cottage cheese. It was so good I didn't even care about the weird looks I got from Edward every time he caught me eating it. I had just finished my breakfast, when the doorbell rang.

"Oh, Bella. You are in more trouble than I thought." That was my greeting from Alice as she gave my outfit a once-over when I opened the door. She would never be known as subtle.

"Well, you are going to have to deal with it, because this is all I have that fits. Unless you want me to put on Edward's pants." She just laughed and grabbed my arm, leading me to the elevator.

"We will solve that today. You will be a stylish mommy-to-be before you know it."

Little did I know that when I got downstairs I would be greeted not only by Esme and Rose, but also both of Edward and Alice's grandmothers. I hugged Alice before getting into the chauffeured car, knowing she had arranged this outing for all the women because she didn't want this shopping trip to turn out like my last one with her. I had tried to repress the memory of the awful experience I had overhearing the conversation of the two vapid bitches and my resulting breakdown. But, I was glad to see Alice didn't forget and was determined to make the day a happy one for me.

I almost felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman that day, watching the giddy salespeople rushing about trying to serve our every whim. I ended up with more clothes than ten pregnant women needed, but had one of the best days of my life. My new wardrobe made me feel pretty and not unworthy of accompanying my adonis-like husband, even as my body changed before my eyes. A female day out had been exactly what I needed and I had never felt more like a member of the family. It was hard to believe four months prior, I had never known this wonderful group of people. I shook my head, breaking myself out of the memories of that day as I grabbed some clean clothes and went to the bathroom to wash up.

I walked out of the bathroom feeling refreshed and almost ran smack into Edward. He held me steady by putting his hands on my shoulders, smiling down at me.

"Are you ready for your surprise?" I nodded my head and he led me down the stairs. I laughed when he covered my eyes with his hands, standing behind me when we reached the bottom.

"Edward, I can't see!"

"I know, just keep moving forward, baby." I felt him press into my back and I took a hesitant step forward. I knew there was no furniture around, but I was already clumsy enough without the loss of one of my senses.

"I think this was just an excuse for you to put your arms around me."

"You know me too well," he whispered in my ear, making my knees go weak. My hands reached out instinctively in front of me, feeling only air. Edward just laughed. "I'm not going to let you bump into anything, Bella. Just a few more steps and you can open your eyes."

I walked forward, in a hurry to see again. He stopped me a few steps later and removed his hands. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Edward had set up our own little campground in front of the fireplace. I moved to take a closer look, noticing the lit candles, the large air mattress covered in mounds of blankets and pillows, the soft fire lighting the room from the fireplace. He even had an ice bucket with non-alcoholic champagne cooling inside. I didn't miss the chocolate bar sitting next to the champagne flutes. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.

"We're staying here tonight?" I asked him, turning to see him watching me.

"Is that alright? I really wanted to spend our first night together in our new home when I didn't have to wake up early the next day for work. I know this won't be as comfortable as a bed, but I thought you might like it."

I hushed his explanation by pulling on his shirt to bring his lips down to mine for a kiss. I would sleep next to Edward even if we were on a bed of nails. This was one of the most romantic things he had ever done. And that was saying a lot.

"I love it, Edward. It's a perfect way to spend our first night here."

I squealed as he snatched me up into his arms, nuzzling my neck while carrying me over to the makeshift bed. Camping out in the living room was another thing that I had missed out on in my lonely youth. I thought Edward would make a perfect adult slumber party partner though. He placed me down and kicked off his shoes before lying down next to me. Both of us were propped up on an elbow, facing the other. He reached out and twirled a lock of my hair around his fingers.

"Are you happy, Bella?" I watched the fire flickering in his eyes as he looked into mine.

"Of course I am." I had never been happier in my life.

"I just wonder if it is possible you are as happy as I am."

"Edward, today is just the most recent of wonderful days in the four best months of my life."

"I never realized life could be like this. I watched my grandparents and parents over the years, but never truly understood." He leaned in closer, his lips almost brushing against mine. "You have changed everything." I couldn't resist brushing my fingers along the stubble covering his jaw. He hadn't shaved that morning and it made him look even sexier than he usually did.

"What did I change?" I wanted to hear his romantic words with only the crackle of the fire in the background.

"Me. My life. My world." I pressed my lips to his, enjoying the tenderness of his soft kisses. He pulled back slightly, releasing a warm breath across my face. "We are going to make a good home here, Bella. A good life."

"You are my life." I wanted him to know that he was just as important to me as I was to him. His lips returned to mine and I parted them, his tongue sliding in. The sentiments of our words showed through our slow tasting and savoring. It could have been hours or minutes that we lay there in each other's arms, simply adoring through our kisses with contented sighs as the only sounds between us. The passing of time seemed to be untrackable at times when I was absorbed with Edward. Eventually, he did pull away with a smile, his thumb brushing over my swollen lips. I sat up with him, watching as he opened the bottle and poured us each a glass.

"To our new home," he said, saluting me with his glass.

"To our new home," I repeated, tapping his flute with my own before taking a sip.

I bit my lip, seeing his smoldering eyes looking at me over the top of his glass as he took a drink. I was proud of myself for holding back as long as I did, but he had my insides tingling out of control already. Inner bad girl was begging me to strip him down. Inner good girl was telling me to let him be romantic if he wanted to.

"Bella?" His gruff voice broke into my inner girl cagematch.

"Yes?"

"What have I told you about biting your lip?" Um, it makes him hot. I didn't want to release it from my teeth to tell him that. I felt his thumb move across my bottom lip, gently removing it from my bite. My heart started beating rapidly as he placed both of our glasses away from the bed and turned back to me. His hands started caressing my calves, while his eyes stayed focused on mine. "Hmmm?" He was still waiting for an answer. I almost couldn't remember the question.

"It turns you on?" I squeaked out. His hands had moved up to my thighs, circling and massaging. I felt his fingers move to the button of my pants, releasing and pulling, leaving my lower half bare.

"Yes, it does. It makes me want to taste all of you." My head fell back when his fingers stroked me lightly. "Can I taste you, Bella?"

"Mmm hmmm." I couldn't speak at that moment. His magical fingers slipped inside me while he used his other hand to rid me of my top. I helped him out, pulling it off along with my bra. I didn't like that he was still fully clothed, but I couldn't do anything about it when I felt his tongue replace his fingers. My toes were already curling, feeling his champagne-cooled tongue glide over my hot flesh.

He played me like an instrument only he knew. He teased and stroked, his facial stubble making me even more sensitive, until my hands reached to tug his hair. I moaned out, begging him to let me come. I was soon exploding, when I felt his fingers thrust inside me forcefully while his teeth grazed my clit.

"Baby, I need to be inside you now." I heard his voice through my euphoria and watched him throw his clothes around haphazardly.

He settled between my legs, and I could feel his hard length against my thigh as he leaned over me. My hands roamed up his strong arms and gripped his broad shoulders, pulling him down to me. His mouth moved over mine, our kisses much deeper and urgent with our need for each other.

I felt him guide himself into me, our echoing moans muffled through our kisses. He pushed in slowly, stilling himself after filling me. His lips left mine and I felt his panting breath on my face.

"Look at me, Bella."

I looked up into his deep, green eyes. I felt him pull out slowly before pushing back in. Our eyes remained locked while his long, gentle strokes continued. I wrapped my legs around him, enjoying the way he hit places inside me with each thrust.

"I love you. So much." His words could make my body come alive as much as his actions could. His eyes continued watching mine intently as he moved.

"I love you, Edward." It was more than love to me. It was all-consuming.

His lips returned to mine as our bodies worked to bring the other pleasure. My hands slipped down from his shoulders, feeling the strong muscles in his back tensing and relaxing as he held himself above me. His hips rolled and ground into mine with each thrust, giving me the friction I needed. The coil of heat in my abdomen was so close to igniting again. His face moved to nuzzle my neck, and I felt his panting, hot breath near my ear. His thrusts became quicker and more forceful.

"Baby, I'm so close. Can you come for me?"

His urging words set me off and I moaned out again, coming hard as he followed, releasing inside me. We stayed locked together, kissing deeply while coming down from our highs. Although he eventually rolled to lie at my side; our entwined bodies never separated throughout the night.

Our first night together in our new home couldn't have been more perfect.

AN: So, Bella and Edward are starting their life in their new dream home. Did you like Edward's surprise? What do you think of his backing off from fighting Bella about her decision to testify? Is she doing the right thing?

Let me know what you think! I love getting your feedback!

I am so excited at how much love this story has gotten. I appreciate all your reviews, thoughts, and tags! I did want to let you know that I will be re-vamping each of the chapters that have not been beta'd. I will just be replacing chapters with fixed ones so there will be no time when the story is taken down. Much love goes out to Perry Maxwell for her help in this process. She will be posting the prologue of her first story on Saturday and I urge you all to read it. It is a fantastic story!

Thank you so much for the chats, help and advice of these lovely writers I have had the pleasure of WCing with recently: BookishQua, mamabean, vampiremama, LyricalKris, Perry Maxwell, VirginiaMay, SaritaDreaming, Lovelybrutal, yellowglue, and duhitsangie. Please check out their stories!