Tissue warning! Trust me, I warned my prereader and she agreed that this chapter was indeed tear wrenching.

Disclaimer:SM owns it, not me.

Chapter 19

Thursday, June 28, 2012

EPOV

It has been an exhausting few days as I sorted through all of my parents stuff and stored it in the basement on shelves. With it just being us growing up, we had no reason to finish off the basement so we just used it for storage. I had started with my dad's office, stacking his files and paperwork into waterproof tubs before storing it. I needed to go by the hospital and see if they wanted any of the files or if I should just burn them, until then I would just store them in the basement for safe keeping. I had indeed found my framed test and hung it on the wall in the 'office area' along with the rest of the pictures that were sitting on his desk.

Today, I was tackling my parent's bedroom while Bella attacked my childhood bedroom. I had decided that I didn't want to take over my parent's bedroom; it would just be too weird for me. We were going to turn it into the kids' quarters, bedroom and playroom for them.

"Edward, are you sure you want to store all of your trophies instead of displaying them? They might help overpower the naked photos of you!" Bella called from the top of the stairs.

"I'm sure, love, I can't believe my mom super glued the damn frames to the wall." I called back to her. "Just box them all up and I will come get them from upstairs."

"Why would I do that when I've got them right here?" She said from right behind me.

I groaned and shook my head. "Isabella Marie, I have told you about toting those boxes down stairs in your condition."

She scowled at me and placed her hands on her hips instantly making me regret my tone and words. "Edward Anthony Cullen, you will not talk to me like I am a child. I am pregnant not an invalid and I damned well am not a child." She said before she stomped her foot and made her way back up the stairs without another word.

"I'm sorry, love. I'm just concerned." I called up to her.

I heard her huff before continuing on up the stairs. I shook my head and made my way upstairs to grab the rest of the tubs from the living room. We were donating all of their furniture to Goodwill instead of reusing it for one of the other bedrooms.

My mom's old work space was going to be turned into Em/Rosie's room while Jazz/Alice were getting the guest room and I was sticking with my childhood bedroom even though it was getting a face lift.

The bed in the guest room was going into the kids' room as well as the four mini cribs that we ordered yesterday during our shopping trip. Luckily for me, all we had to buy was new bedroom furniture since the living room and dining room furniture was still brand new and modern.

The garage was the one place that I still adamantly refused to go because that was where my dad and I had spent most of our quality time. It hurt too much to venture in there and Bella was supportive of that decision. We were still driving the Aston Martin around and it stayed parked in the driveway because of my fear of the garage. My mom's BMW was still parked in there even though Joe and Emily had reassured us both that it did indeed crank and run thanks to Joe's thoughtfulness.

"Sammy, come on girl." I called to the dog that my parent's had given me on my 16th birthday. When they had presented with my shiny new Volvo, Sammy had been sitting in the passenger seat with a huge red bow around her neck.

I smiled as I heard her nails clicking on the tiles as we crossed the living room. After what seemed like a trillion trips up and down the stairs, I collapsed on the couch with a beer hanging from my fingers and Sammy sprawled between my legs her head resting on my thigh. "Are you tired girl?" I asked her as I stroked between her ears.

Just as I was about to take a swig of my cold beer, a knock sounded at the door. I groaned and pulled myself from the couch to let the furniture delivery guys in.

It was another three hours before I could finally collapse for the day, but this time I had both my girls with me.

Bella and I were settled on the sectional sofa, side by side with our heads propped on some throw pillows and Sammy snoozing on our feet. "Tired, love?" I asked as I stroked a hand over her side and down onto our boys.

She nodded. "Exhausted." She said softly. "This pregnancy takes everything out of me. I'm glad Emily and Joe came over to help us otherwise I don't think we would have gotten it all done today."

I nodded in agreement. "I say we just chill out tomorrow, not doing anything in particular. How does that sound?" I asked her quietly.

"Sounds like a plan. I could definitely stand for a lazy day after the past few days. Are we still going to Navy Pier on Saturday while we wait on everybody to get here?"

"Absolutely. Are you ready to watch the movie?"

She nodded and we settled in to watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding that she had found in my bedroom earlier.

The next day we did indeed do nothing, we didn't even get out of our pajamas. Saturday was a different story all together because my lovely wife was beyond excited to go see Navy Pier and was up at the crack of dawn.

"Edward! Edward! Wake up!" She said as she stood over me on our new bed bouncing lightly on her feet.

"Baby, please don't stand on the bed." I told her as I help my hands up for her to grasp.

She just rolled her eyes and settled down across my hips, cocking an eyebrow up at me as she felt my morning hardness nestled between her thighs. "What did you expect, love?"

She just giggled and wiggled her ass over me causing me to groan.

It was almost two hours later before we left the house heading over to Navy Pier. This was going to be a hard day for me because I used to spend my summers basically living on Navy Pier with either my parents or friends. "You okay today, Edward?"

BPOV

It wasn't hard to notice the tension rolling off my husband as we got closer to Navy Pier. He ignored me the first time I asked him so I waited until he had parked the car and I asked him again. "Edward, are you okay? Are you going to be able to do this? If it's too much we can go back home." I told him as I ran my hand up and down his arm.

He jerked his pained gaze to me. "It's just hard, love." He said with tears in his eyes. "I remember spending so many summers here with both my parents and my friends."

"Tell me a memory." I pleaded with him because when he asked that of me it had helped me through dealing with my past and my parents.

He took a deep breath and flexed his fingers against the steering wheel before nodding. "When I was thirteen I begged mom and dad to let me come to the pier with a group of my friends from school."

"What happened?" I hedged.

"After grilling me for over an hour of the dangers lurking around Chicago they finally let me go. We were up on the Ferris Wheel for the third or fourth time when I spotted her standing over by the carousel watching me."

"She was spying on you?" I asked trying to hold back my chuckles.

He nodded. "Yeah, when I confronted her she admitted that she had followed me straight from the house. At the time it irritated me to no end, but now that we are having boys of our own, I understand where she was coming from." He explained as he looked at me.

"Are you going to be that type of parent? Hiding behind the carousel spying on our children?" I asked laughing.

He shook his head. "I hope not but I'm not making any promises. You ready?"

I nodded and we hopped from the car and headed onto the Navy Pier.

It was almost four o'clock when my phone rang a familiar tune that I had been missing lately. Rosie.

"Hello?" I asked as I sat with my feet propped in Edward's lap as he rubbed them.

"Hey chica, we're here. Where are y'all at?" Rosalie said loudly.

I chuckled. "Better question is where are all of you?" I told her and rolled my eyes at Edward.

"Oh, we're on the ferris wheel, the girls couldn't resist. Meet us here?" She asked.

I nodded even though I knew she couldn't see me. "Of course, we'll be there in a few minutes, we were just sitting down." I said as I pocketed my phone.

"They're here, at the ferris wheel." I told him as he slipped my socks and shoes back on.

"Let's go get them then so we can get you home. They can come back tomorrow if they want to but I'm done for the day." He said as we stood up and I had to agree.

"We've gotten lazy this summer, barman." I commented as we walked hand in hand towards the amusement park area.

He just laughed. "It's going to suck once I open this new club." He said quietly.

"Why's that?"

"The hours and the babies. It's going to suck."

"How far off till the opening?" I asked knowing that he hadn't even started the renovations yet on the procured building.

He groaned. "I don't even know; there is a lot of work to do in that building before it will be presentable."

I chuckled. "How about hiring someone and sending them to Tanya and Seth for training so that you won't have so much to worry about?" I suggested.

"Hmm… I never thought about that, love, that's a great idea. I would still like to bartend on Friday and Saturday though. Maybe we can hire a babysitter on those nights?"

I nodded. "Absolutely, barman, I wouldn't want you to lose your mad bar skills. So how long did it take you to renovate Breaking Dawn?" I asked as the carousel came into sight.

"Almost a year but that was just the bar, it took longer upstairs. Truth or Dare is going to have two levels though so I don't know, maybe a year or less, maybe more."

I nodded just as I heard a loud screaming coming from the ferris wheel. "Eddie! B!"

Annabelle skidded to a halt in front of me as Edward picked up and swung around an exuberant Maggie. "Whoa B, you look like momma!" She said as she hugged my legs tentatively.

"It's okay Anna, that means that my babies are growing like your little sister." I told her as I bent down to hug her.

Skylar walked over hand in hand with Rosalie who had what looked like a huge sheet/purse draped over one shoulder resting against her side.

Emmett had Tori and Lilly strapped against his chest, side by side. Alice and Jasper waved as they went another round on the ferris wheel.

"Where's Sariah?" I asked once Rosalie had gotten close enough.

She gestured to what I had thought was a huge sheet/purse. "She's snoozing."

We spent about an hour letting the girls ride the carousel while we ladies shopped before we all headed back to the house, stopping for dinner on the way.

Monday, July 2, 2012

EPOV

Of one thing I was certain from this day forward; I would never, EVER let tiny Alice Brandon Whitlock plan my kids' birthday parties.

It was amazing what the woman could do in the matter of thirty six hours. She had only been in town a little over forty eight hours at this point and had worked miracles with the birthday party that I was hiding out from at the moment.

It was mine and Tori's birthday celebrations today, mainly Tori's. Tori was turning two today and I had turned twenty seven back in June.

I think the entire petting zoo was camped out in my backyard. We had baby cows, pigs, rabbits, ducks, ponies, sheep, and goats camped out in my backyard. I had to admit the baby animals were cute. They had been here since early this morning. The calf had already broken out of the makeshift pen four times already, the damned goats kept eating the flowers and the ducks kept trying to waddle towards the water. Don't forget about the dog. Sammy was having a fucking heyday with all the baby animals, but she was driving me crazy with her incessant barking and she kept leading the ducks to the pond. I was currently hiding out in what used to be my favorite spot as a kid.

My mom had built in a small bed on top of the bookshelves in the library that nobody knew about unless we told them. I hadn't even told Bella it was there but I was currently listening to her call my name as she searched for me.

I dug my phone out of my pocket and texted her, hoping she had her phone on her.

Getting warmer, love – Edward

Where are you? – Bella

Keep looking, you are really warm – Edward

I heard her call out again, she was right outside the door. "Edward?" She called again opening the door, I knew she wouldn't be able to see me from where I was at but I could see her.

Really HOT, love. –Edward

"Dammit, Edward. Where are you?" She ground out in irritation.

You know you are going to have to watch your mouth once the babies are here –Edward

She gasped as she read the screen of her phone. She looked around trying to find me but she never looked up and I decided to give her a break. "Look up, love?" I whispered.

She did and saw my foot sticking out. "How did you get up there?"

I chuckled and climbed down to show her. "The bed is built into the attic above the shelves; use the ladder the get up there, there is a small platform built behind the shelves" I explained to her as my feet touched the ground.

"I never knew that was up there." She exclaimed. "Can I get up there with you?"

I smiled and nodded. "Be careful of the steps though, they are small and steep." I explained to her as I put a hand on her hips to help her.

Once we were over the top of the bookcase we had to climb down three more steps to reach the floor. "This is one hell of a hideaway, barman. When were you going to tell me about it?" She asked as she surveyed my space. It had a couch, bean bag chair from my teenage years, small refrigerator, and a myriad of junk that was up here from when I was a kid.

"Umm…now?" I asked as I tugged her down into the beanbag chair with me causing her to squeal and laugh.

"Smooth, Edward, why exactly are you hiding out? It's your birthday celebration."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I just needed a break. Besides, does it look like anybody's missing us?" I asked her as I gestured to the window beside us.

She looked and then shook her head. "Not really. But it's still your party as well as Tori's."

I nodded. "I know, love, I just needed a small break to get my head together. It's tough celebrating a birthday here without my parents." I confessed to the real reason why I was hiding out.

"Oh, I didn't even think of that. I'm so sorry!" She said as she began crying.

"Hey, now, none of that. Its okay, love. I just needed a few minutes to myself." I told her as I rubbed a hand up and down her back calming her back down.

"Tell me a memory." She asked quietly.

"My mom had this room turned into a library when I was about eight or nine and had this little nook fashioned for me. When I was about fourteen, I fell asleep up here and my mom thought I was with a friend so she was frantic when night fell and I wasn't home yet and hadn't called either. I remember waking up to her sitting down there in that chair worried about me as my dad paced outside the door calling all of my friends looking for me. I jumped up and tried to scramble down the steps too quickly and half asleep."

"Oh no, what happened?"

"Why do you think that broken arm didn't really faze me any?" I asked her quietly.

She gasped when it dawned on her that I hadn't really complained all that much about my arm being in a cast. "You had broken it before?"

I nodded. "I broke it when I fell about halfway down the ladder. I fell into a heap at my mother's feet and she was so ecstatic over me being here the whole time that she forgave me instantly for worrying her. My father wasn't so forgiving. He hid the ladder for almost 6 months until he realized that I was climbing the shelves to get up here." I told her as I listened to the kids screaming and laughing from outside.

She just laughed. "I don't think I want our kids to know about this hideaway. Are there anymore secret hideaways in this house?"

I nodded guiltily.

She gasped and turned to look at me. "Where are they?"

I smiled. "They are all in this room, actually. There is a half bath hidden behind the second bookcase behind the door." I told her as I tugged her into my chest and ran my palms over our sons as they kicked their mother harshly. "Boys, behave; quit abusing your mother." I chastised them softly.

Bella just giggled quietly until we heard Jasper shouting for us. "Edward! Bella! Where are you guys?!" I placed my finger over my lips and gestured for her to follow me.

I stood up and moved the beanbag to the side to reveal a secret hatch door. I pulled it up quietly as Jasper called to us again from the doorway to the library. "Edward, Bella? Where did you guys go?" We both chuckled silently as we descended down the narrow staircase. Bella's baby stomach almost made it impossible to fit but we managed.

"Where does this go to, Edward?" She asked as we came to another hidden door that she had never noticed before.

I just laughed and listened as I heard Jasper stomp back down the stairs before I opened the door and walked into the linen closet in the hallway. "Wow! I thought that was to the hot water heater or something!"

I laughed. "No, love, all of that is in the basement." I told her as I opened the door that led to the hallway and saw that it was clear to come out.

We no more than made it halfway down the stairs when Alice caught us. "Found them, Jazzy!"

We both groaned as Alice grabbed us by the hands tugging us back outside.

It was nearly eleven before I crawled into bed beside my sleeping wife and dog. The fucking cow broke the gate down again and chewed through the rope I had around its neck. I had finally told Alice to call the fucking farm people to come get their animals tonight. She readily agreed because I made her help me chase all the fucking animals around the yard and gather them back up.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

BPOV

I groaned as I rolled over onto my side for about the millionth time before sighing and easing Edward's arm off of me before climbing from the bed.

It was getting progressively harder to sleep for long periods of time but I was beginning to get exhausted easily too. The boys usually decided to start kicking when I laid down to go to sleep which made sleep evade me most of the time.

I snatched my phone off the nightstand and made my way downstairs with Sammy following right behind me. She had taken to following me around lately, much to Edward's chagrin.

I texted Bree and Angela a happy fourth, but didn't get any response back. I grabbed a glass of orange juice and went to sit outside so I could watch the sunrise. I curled up in one of the deck loungers with Sammy curled up beside me.

I was woken up a little bit later by the chirping of my phone. Sammy whined, got up and went to do her morning business.

I wrinkled my brows as I read the cryptic message displayed on my phone.

Edward and his mother used to read Where the Red Fern Grows all the time. I thought it would be nice if you read it to your boys too. You can find it in the library, 2nd bookcase, 5th shelf, 7th book from the right. – Emily

I didn't reply back but went inside to make myself a transportable breakfast before going on my treasure hunt.

I grabbed my bagel and made my way up to the library quietly since I was the only one up. I quickly found the book, walked to the linen closet and went to Edward's secret hideaway. Sammy had gone back to bed with Edward.

When I opened the book I immediately knew what the text was all about. There was a rather thick envelope tucked in the book with a feminine scrawl on it that must have been Edwards mom's writing.

I didn't move the envelope, but turned to the first page and began reading to Jayden and Ryder.

EPOV

I was sitting there staring at the picture that my lovely wife had snapped when she came in earlier. I was sitting in my cargo shorts and t-shirt with a bright pink/yellow boa draped around my neck, fake earrings hanging from each ear, and a big pink hat perched sideways on my head as I sat on a tiny pink chair. Emmett was worse off, they had put makeup on him, draped him in a rainbow colored feather boa and put a huge flower in his hair as well as earrings in his ears. Jasper had saved himself from a little embarrassment when he had dug out his cowboy hat and the girls had just added a flower to it, but he also had a lime green boa tossed around his neck and makeup on, but no earrings though. Even Sammy was decked out with a boa and a little hat perched between her ears.

Thankfully nobody had spotted those embarrassing pictures of me on the stairway wall, yet. I would add this one before we went home at the end of the month but today was going to be a fun day spent with my friends before they went home tomorrow.

Fourth of July in Chicago was a big deal and it started early in the day with a White Sox baseball game followed by music festivals in the park, a boat tour and fireworks on the Navy Pier. My phone chirped from its spot on the coffee table and I grabbed it and smiled when I saw the message.

I know you, my boy, you can't resist a fourth in Chi Town without a White Sox game. I took a chance and bought you nine tickets for you and your friends. You can pick them up at the gate. –Emily

Thanks Emily. I was wandering how we were going to all sit together. – Edward.

You are very welcome my boy, I love you. Have fun, your parents would want you to. – Emily

Love you guys, too. –Edward

I bounded up off the couch and up the stairs where I knew I would find my wife hiding out in the library with a new book. She had become a regular bookworm since we got here.

"Love?!" I called as I reached the landing where my father's office used to be. It didn't hurt so much now when I saw the empty desk with my laptop sitting on it.

"In here." She called from the library like I figured she would.

I chuckled and walked in there but didn't see her so I knew she was up top in my hideaway. "What have I told you about climbing this ladder without me here?" I lightly chastised.

She just laughed and rubbed a hand over her bare stomach. Her shirt was laying on the bean bag chair and she was in her shorts and bra stretched out on my couch. "I didn't use the ladder, babe."

I nodded and sat down propping her feet in my lap. "Guess what?"

"What?" She said as she laid the book down across her chest.

"I got us all seats to the White Sox game today."

She snapped the book shut then as her eyes widened. "I've never been to a live ball game before; I only watched it on TV with my dad."

"Well you get to go today. The games starts at one."

She nodded and laid the book to the side. "Great, what do I need to wear?"

I shrugged my shoulder. "Something comfortable? It's hot outside and we are going to be sitting in the sun for about four hours."

She nodded and made to sit up but I held her legs steadfastly. "We've got a little bit, love. Are you excited for the fourth in Chicago?" I asked quietly.

She nodded and bit her lip. "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "I had a minor panic attack this morning, but I'm okay now. I came to the realization that my parents would want me to live life to the fullest and not dwell on the past."

"I found something in this book when I opened it up earlier. It's addressed to you in a feminine script." She told me as she picked the book back up and I saw that it was Where the Red Fern Grows, my favorite as a young boy. It was worn from being handled so much by both my mom and me.

I took the book and held it to my chest as tears sprung to my eyes. "My mom used to read this to me when I was little and gave it to me for my tenth birthday for safe keeping even though I always kept it in the library." I told her as I turned the book over and over in my hands and I saw the edge of an envelope sticking out of it.

"I was reading it out loud to our boys; maybe it can be a tradition I can carry on with Jayden and Ryder." She said rubbing a hand over her glistening taught stomach.

I nodded and flipped the book open to the page that held the envelope. Tears spilled down my cheeks as I saw that it was stuck on the part where the mountain lion is beginning its attack. It was my mom's handwriting on the envelope. "My mom wrote this to me." I whispered to Bella as she just smiled back at me gently.

"Open it, love. My dad wrote me a letter also and it helped me a lot; maybe this will help you, too." She said quietly and I nodded tugging the envelope out of the crease of the book and handing it back to Bella.

I turned the envelope over and over in my hands debating on whether I wanted to open it today or not. I finally decided to just open it and see what she had to say to me. I took a deep breath and opened the envelope pulling out the papers from within.

I glanced at Bella and she smiled encouragingly at me. I unfolded the papers, took a deep breath and began reading my mom's beautiful handwriting.

My sweet boy,

Mothers love to celebrate their children, especially when they reach important milestones. Today is a big one for you – you are healing from my departure from this earth long before I was ready. I want to celebrate today, my son who brought me immeasurable joy. It's bittersweet, because I am no long with you.

Confronted with the news every child fears the most, we all respond in our own unique way. And that is okay. But one of the things we have in common is the need – the hunger- to remember, to pay tribute, to mark significant days.

You were always so excited for life after high school, and I am so proud of the amazing young man you must have become.

Edward, you were a joy to raise. You were a precious and calm baby, a cuddly and lovable toddler, a gift from God to our family. You used to ask me "Mom, will you marry me?" I smile as I remember the countless times you asked me that.

Your sweet and gentle spirit is a beautiful thing to behold. As you grow, you watch and listen, curious about everything, wanting to learn, asking so many questions, and pressing every button your fingers could reach.

I cherish the memories of our relationship, knowing how blessed I am to be your mom. Remember when you helped me celebrate my 50th birthday? I look back so fondly on that time – hand-gliding, fantastic memories on the boat, dancing to Gwen Stefani , singing our song '4 in the morning' forever makes me smile.

They say you don't know what you've got until it's gone, but I hope that's not your reality. Edward, words are inadequate for me to tell you the sheer wonder your father and I felt in having you in our lives.

It saddens me to know that I at least, am no longer with you in this world. If you are reading this letter then I have left this world for another. You, my sweet boy, my miracle, my sunshine, deserve the world and I hope that you have found it.

I wish all the happiness in the world upon you, my son. I hope that you find a young woman, not too soon though, that will make you feel how I feel about your father. I hope you have many children to know the immediate love you can feel for such a tiny human being.

Tomorrow will be the beginning of the end of your baseball career. I remember when you were just 3 years old tossing a baseball back and forth in the backyard and tomorrow you are playing in the state championships.

I wish you all the happiness and luck in the world my son, but you are calling for your dinner now.

So I will end this letter with an I love you and if you do happen to find this letter before I replace it then I hope you will cherish each and every memory that we have had together and you can share them with your family so that they know us as well.

"It's strange indeed how memories can lie dormant in a man's mind for so many years. Yet those memories can be awakened and brought forth fresh and new, just by something you've seen, or something you've heard, or the sight of an old familiar face."

Goodbye, my sweet boy.

Love, your momma

I folded the letter up and wiped the tears from my cheeks as I looked at my beautiful wife and she just smiled at me and held her arms out for me. I cuddled into her side, laying my head on her chest as she stroked a hand up and down my back calming me down. "I love you, Isabella." I whispered.

"I love you too, Edward."

Please don't kill me if I made you cry, just review and let me know what you think!