I want to apologize for taking so long to getting this out. I don't have any excuses (insert laughter) I don't own these characters but I do own the new snow outside. The songs for this chapter are "I Miss You" by Basshunter, "Nutcracker Overture" by Tchaikovsky and "When You're Gone" by Avril Lavigne.

RPOV/DECEMBER 12TH

The past week had been boring but nice with Esme around. She helped me wrap presents and put up stockings up on our fireplace mantle. My Emmett was not due back for another 12 days. I was counting them down by the minute. We traveled separately before but this time it was different with me being pregnant. Never in my mind would I expect my husband to be so hands on with this pregnancy. All I felt was the tidal wave of emotions, hormones and getting belly getting bigger every day. Emmett loved to put his hands on my stomach and our sex life exploded into huge proportions. I hoped that once the babies came it would continue after I was feeling better. I knew what childbirth did to the body but my doctor said that I was in really good shape and even with twins I could do light exercise. She said to take it easy but it would make my recovery easier.

Emmett was calling two or three times a day. I felt bad as Jasper and Edward had not been able to talk to Alice or Bella but they were being kept busy. Esme said they were staying in contact with flowers and letters. It was romantic on their part but I loved hearing Emmett's voice. He calmed me down when I was panicking about something stupid and I always put the phone on my belly and felt the babies' move even more when he did that. We had decided before he left not to do presents for each other. Buying the house and the babies were more than enough for me this year. I had a feeling that Emmett had already gone shopping for me but I made him promise no more. I did buy him that beanie and some sports stuff for his man cave.

We had all planned to go see the Nutcracker Suite together. We had tickets every year and the family had a special box that we sat in. I was disappointed that family members were going to be missing but happy that it was going to be a girl's night out for us. When I had talked to Emmett this morning he said that Edward was in a pissy mood. This was the first time that he was reverting back to his asshat days but we all knew why. He wanted to be there to see Bella's face when she saw it. He was missing her just as much as she was missing him.

Both of the girls had been busy this past week. Bella sent over lasagna one night for dinner and had Alice deliver it. She said that the Palmer house warming went well but she didn't see how Bella put up with those crazy women. She said that Bella had been up late at night working on projects and getting very little sleep. Work was busy as they were going to close for the holidays. I was happy to hear that and hoped that it would happen more often for them. When I saw them sign those papers months ago I never knew just how booming their business was going to be.

I never had siblings, I never knew my father and my mother was long gone years ago. When I found Emmett I had a family. I had a mom and dad that adored me and brothers that loved me. Even when Edward was going through his asshat stage he still loved me. We talked about it one night a few weeks back. He apologized again and I told him I forgave him a long time ago. All I wanted for now was him to be the brother he was meant to be and a wonderful uncle to our babies.

When Alice and Bella came whooshing into our lives like a breath of fresh air, I had sisters. Alice showed me a side to fashion that made me look at things differently. I knew as soon as the babies came they would have wardrobes waiting for them when they got home. Bella gave me recipes that she loved and showed me how to cook for Emmett. She said anytime I wanted a cooking lesson or Emmett needed a cookie fix she was there for us. Bella and Alice were fresh and added a new light into our comfortable little circle. Bella had been through so much and I was happy that she had dealt with it.

I was getting to know Ben and Angela better as time went by. They were both really quiet but opened up to us as we saw them more and more. We waved to each other through the windows when we saw each other. It was nice to have some friends outside the business.

I carefully got dressed into the black dress Alice had found for me. As time went by it was getting harder to find clothes to fit my ever expanding belly. I hoped that the dress I bought for the New Year's Eve party would still fit but Alice assured me that if we had to we could add a panel to it. Alice had a way with things and knew how to make people happy. She made Jasper happy in more ways than we ever could imagine. I knew he was going to ask him to marry him and I was happy to see it happen.

I heard Esme quietly getting ready in her room. I was happy to hear that she was willing to stay with me. My doctor scared me when she told me that as time went on anything could happen. My goal was to make it the middle of January. After that the twins could come at anytime and be safe. They might be small but they would be ok to come home. I slipped on the one pair of flats I owned. I didn't feel safe on high heels with my balance off these days. I put on the pearl set Emmett gave me last year. It made the dress and I grabbed a shawl to keep the cold off of me.

I headed downstairs for a snack. We decided that the performance was enough and food was not necessary for us to all be together. Bella the caring person she was sent over food for us to enjoy the past few days. I knew Esme loved to cook but I it was nice to have good food that I could handle on my own. I sat there enjoying what Bella sent over earlier and heard Esme coming down the stairs. She looked beautiful in a cream colored sweater dress. She always looked her best with whatever she wore. I wished I would look that damn good when I got to her age.

She helped herself to what I was eating and we sat there and talked over little things. She had given me a lot of advice about what to expect and how to handle things. She never wanted to meddle but she knew I was scared and nervous about the babies coming. The thought of diapers, booties and night time feedings scared me but I was never looking to something this miraculous. Esme got up to put the dishes in the dishwasher as the phone rang. It was Alice saying that they would meet us there. I could no longer fit in either of their cars but Esme had her range rover here so it made things easier on all of us. I reminded her where to park as The Cullen's parked in a safe parking garage right next to the theater.

Esme parked and we noticed Alice's Porsche a few stalls down. I knew that they were waiting for us in the lobby. We held on to each other crossing the street. Thank goodness the City of Portland kept the sidewalks and streets clean for its inhabitants. We carefully brushed off the snow before went inside. I knew them both when I saw Bella and Alice. They were both holding bottles of water and Bella kept looking around with a smile her on her face.

I could tell she loved the old architecture of the building. That was Bella though, nothing new amused her but anything old and dusty did. I was not surprised when she told us about the things she bought we went shopping for our dresses. We walked up as Alice threw the bottles into the recycling bin and the lights dimmed once then twice. We all followed Esme up the burgundy carpeted stairs. Their box was one of the few but they contributed every year to the scholarship program and this was one of the perks.

The Cullen's had money but they never took it for granted. They donated to everything that needed help. They adopted many families at the holidays and we were getting ready to order everything to be sent to them. They made sure that the families had everything they needed and if they needed it was found in some way to them. I loved my family and was proud to be a member of it. When I graduated from law school with top honors, Esme and Carlisle immediately set up scholarships for kids who were accepted but couldn't afford the tuition. It was like them all the time to do things like this. Bella and Alice were similar in this aspect.

Esme and I sat in back with Bella and Alice in front. With my need for the bathroom it made sense to put me near the door. I knew Edward wanted Bella upfront so she could take everything in. The lights dimmed and the dancers came out. I always loved the first scene with the families enjoying the party and the children and then Uncle Drosslemyer coming out. We sat there and watched ever beautiful step. I noticed Bella was still and quiet. It was quiet eerie but knowing her the way I know her she was taking it all in.

Intermission came and went with me heading to the bathroom several times. I knew Bella had to go with the water she drank but she sat there. Alice looked back at us and smiled I knew then everything was ok. We erupted into applause then into a standing ovation as the dancers came out. The lights came on and we sat there for a minute to give the crowd time to disperse. Bella just sat there looking at the stage and we all noticed tears in her eyes. I went to ask her what was wrong but she finally spoke telling us that it was the most beautiful thing she had seen in a long time. We were all elated that we had this experience with her. I was tired on my feet but needed to use the bathroom one more time. Bella said she would join me and we would meet the others in the lobby.

She followed me as I went into the ladies room. We both enjoyed the silence until I let one out and we both howled into laughter. We were both beat red when we came out of the stalls and I told her welcome to my world. My body was full of events I never new existed.

"Bella you look so tired. I hope you are not working yourself to death. I know Edward won't be happy to come home to a sick girlfriend. "I washed my hands hoping I had not over stepped any boundaries.

"Rose thank you for saying that but I am ok. I am just having a hard time sleeping. Insomnia has found me and it wont let me go. It happened when I was in school too. I am missing him. How can you do this all the time?" She pulled a paper towel out of the dispenser and dried her hands.

"Bella I normally go with them but this time you know. I was not allowed but I can guarantees when the twins get here wherever Emmett goes we will go with him. The family has already talked about it and both you and Alice are included on those plans."

She had a smile on her face when I told her that. I told her that if he could call he would but she did understand and the time was passing quickly. As much as she wanted him here her plans were full for awhile. We went out to find the others and went to our cars. I was tired and needed another snack. They were heading back to their house as both had a party tomorrow night. We kissed them both good-bye as they said thank you for the wonderful evening. I was happy we could share it with them.

BPOV/DECEMBER 19TH

The night we went to see the Nutcracker was a dream come true for me. Mom and Dad always wanted to send us tickets but for some dumbass reason I always ended up having a class that night. School was more important that seeing some dancers. I felt the tears in my eyes that night pool in my eyes. It was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined and I knew it was going to be a tradition from now on. I just wished Edward had been there to enjoy it with me.

Alice and I have been so damned busy with work that we have not see much of Rose or Esme since that night. I felt bad but when I talked on the phone with Rose she understood. She asked me how my nights had been and I told her nothing had changed. Work was keeping me busy being neither Ben nor Angela was here to help. I took it on all by myself but I knew that I would be glad to have them back. I never knew before just how much they really did to help me keep this place going. Alice and I were passing ships in the night once again. She was meeting clients dealing with issues that were fucking stupid as she put it. Most of these client events were not even coming up till late spring or summer. Alice said that she was a planner and this went along with the job.

Many of those meetings I was with her as they were weddings, retirement parties etc. We had more business coming out our ass that neither of us knew what to do with. I knew with my wonderful friends we could get it done. I was glad that they were having the time of their life. I don't think they knew what they were in for when they got back.

We all decided to have a baby shower for Rosalie on the 25th of January. I just hoped that the babies would not arrive before that. So far Rosalie's pregnancy was being abnormal in its normalness for twins. She was gaining enough weight but not enough that she was pudgy. She still had bouts of morning sickness and she craved weird foods. Esme said that her cravings got even weirder after Emmett left. The whole idea of pickled corn, ranch dip and ketchup sandwiches made me green thinking about it. Esme said as long as Rose ate it in the other room she was fine with it. She laughed at some of the things she ate when pregnant with her boys.

I had one final delivery to make to a large family. The grandmother called me and put in such a huge order that I made it the last one. I had to use the van to get it all in. I was not sure how huge this family was but from all the cookies I wondered if they were growing super beings or something. I pulled up to the house and the husband must have seen me coming. He came out and said he would help as he knew how big this order was.

We carried all the platters in and he said that they were grateful for what his mother did. They had three kids of their own and several foster children. What they didn't polish off by Christmas time would be put into the freezer for after the holidays. I told him how to wrap things and helped him store things. I heard the wife yell for him from upstairs. He told me that they had a flu bug traveling the house and the last few kids had come down with it in the past few days. Come to think about it he looked a little green himself. I told him to have a great holiday and left.

I drove around town finishing the odds and ends that were on my list. Alice and I were done shopping for everyone. We sent mom and dad the cruise information. Mom dropped the phone when she opened it and dad was elated that he didn't have to fight her on what countries to visit as they were going everywhere. I told them to have a great Christmas and we would see them sometime in the spring. They were going on a ski trip for the holiday and decided to take their cruise immediately. I was heart broken as Alice was but I knew we would hear from them. Especially after getting the call that their baby was engaged.

I drove home and parked in the garage. I saw that Alice was still not home but she left me a note that Esme had called and everyone was doing ok. She also underlined that a certain someone was missing a certain someone. I got her subtle hint and made a point to mention it to her later. I put some pasta on and pulled some sauce out of the freezer. I threw some broccoli on the stove and went to see what I could find on TV. I noticed on one of the channels they were having a Rankin and Bass marathon. I loved watching those shows. Rudolph, the Story of Santa, The Little Drummer boy and others were going to be shown. I loved these more than when I was a kid back in Alaska.

I got up and drained the pasta, poured some sauce on it and topped it with broccoli. I grabbed a bottle of water and set myself up for a night of memories. I sat there laughing, crying and enjoying myself in the moment. As the last show ran the credits I got up to clean up my mess and try to get some sleep. The last quilt was done; the last set of booties finished and everything wrapped and ready to go. I locked up but didn't set the alarm as Alice was not home yet. I left a small light on, fed the fish and headed for a shower. Just like every other night I put on Edward's shirt and pajama pants. His scent was fading but they still made me feel like he was here with me. I was pissed off that they had a hard time getting through to us but from what I heard they were kept busy. Emmett would get lucky and call Rose and she would in turn pass on messages. Esme would get phone calls too and did the same. As long as everyone was safe and ok I was ok with it for now. I just wanted them all home safe and sound.

I must have been dead tired for once as once I hit my bed I was out. My night was going to be short as I felt my stomach turn and headed for the bathroom. I sat at the toilet and emptied out my stomach. Never in my life have I felt this bad this fast. I laid on the bathroom floor wanting to die. The pain I felt was nothing short of ending my life and saying the hell to everything. I don't know how long I had been laying there but I woke up with Alice standing over me with a face mask on. If was not feeling like shit on a shingle I would be laughing at her but I knew she didn't want this. I knew the minute I walked into the damn house with those kids I knew that is where I got this damned bug.

She helped me wipe my face and then she put some new pajamas on me. I noticed the small fridge was back and near where I could reach it. I saw the rolling tray near my bed with saltines, water and Gatorade. Alice said she had called the Emergency room to see if they could help but it was going around and I would have to wait it out. I went to crawl into my bed once again and turned right around to the bathroom again. Poor Alice was standing there now with not only a face mask on but rubber gloves. I actually got a slight giggle out between putting my head down to the porcelain god before me. I slowly got up and cleaned myself up again and got into my bed this time. Alice wanted me to drink something but I told her to go to hell and leave me alone. I was not happy when I was sick and being this sick made it worse. She kissed my forehead through the mask and told me she was staying home to make sure I was ok and if I needed anything.

I really think she stayed home to make sure I didn't do myself in from how I was feeling. Everything on my body hurt. If my teeth and hair could feel pain I was feeling it. Every muscle in my body was aching and my throat was on fire. I couldn't get warm but my skin was so hot that it hurt. I fell back to sleep only to repeat the bathroom trip many, many times.

I could hear Alice shuffling about my room and I was sure she was cleaning as I was making messes. I vaguely remember her saying the carpet would come clean as the floor could too. I was so delirious I don't remember not making it to the bathroom. All I knew was the pain was feeling through out my body was from the blackest pits of hell. I was in hell….sick, vial, and putrid hell with no Edward to comfort me.

I could hear Alice talking on a phone saying no don't come over. Stay there and be safe, keep Rosalie and the babies safe. Oh dear god no don't make them come over here!! I would never forgive myself if anything happened to them or the babies. I felt the pain rush into my throat again and ran for the bathroom. I heard Alice talking again and then come in to help me get cleaned up. I was trying to get up again and knelt down to start the damn process all over again. All I wanted was this to stop and went to crawl back to my bed.

Alice helped me back in my bed and I noticed she had dark circles under her eyes. I don't think she was sleeping much. I felt bad to make her life crazy and I didn't want her to get sick. I heard a faint ring and saw Alice's face light up in the fog in my eyes. She held the phone to my ears and all I could hear was the voice of an angel. I knew I was dying and this was just the first step into the pearly gates. I saw Alice in my face telling me to sleep that I should start feeling better soon. I rolled over and fell back to sleep with the pain and the thought the angels were here to come get me.

I woke up with the sun slightly shinning in my eyes. I laid there trying to take the silence in and noticed the pain was gone. My body was still aching and my throat was killing me but I felt slightly better. I noticed a stranger in my room and realized it was a nurse. I hoped that Alice was not sick. I went to move but she told me to stay where I was. She said Alice hired her to take care of me as she was dead on her feet but still healthy. She slowly helped me into the bathroom and I could smell the faint smell of bleach. This huge Amazon woman helped me undress and get into a hot bath. I was so weak I didn't fight her nor did I blush at the thought of a stranger looking at me naked. I sat there in the water feeling like crap still but at least human.

She closed the door behind her and heard some sort of machine come on and the smell of bleach again. She must have been cleaning the bedroom. I took my time in the bath as it made my body feel better. I slowly got out hanging on to the sides. I didn't want to take myself out after dealing with the hell I just had gone through. I didn't even know what day it was let alone what time it was. I noticed clean pajamas on the counter and sat down on the toilet. I dressed slowly as my head was still slightly spinning. I put the dirty clothes in the hamper and opened the door.

My bed had new everything on it. I noticed some broth and crackers on the rolling tray with Gatorade. The nurse came back in and said to take it easy as I was really weak. She said I should be back to normal in a few days. I saw her grab the laundry and go downstairs. I got comfortable in my bed and slowly sipped on the broth. It felt great on my throat and actually felt ok in my stomach. I just sat there listening to the nurse downstairs going about her work. I finished the broth and decided to try to catch some sleep. I felt my eyelids getting heavy and then someone curling up beside me. I slowly opened them again and Alice smiled at me. I smiled back at her and we both knew I was slowly coming back to normal. We both fell asleep in my bed with her lying next to me with her arm around me. My best friend, my sister had been worried I could tell as she slowly relaxed next to me.

EPOV/DECEMBER 18TH

Time went slowly as we were in Chicago. We were kept busy but at night we sat watching television and thinking about who was back home waiting for us. These clients had offered us the chance of a lifetime and dad took it with both hands. I knew why he was doing this as his world was changing. One day he was going to retire and leave his boys in charge and this was just a stepping stone to that. I knew he was missing mom. After all the years of marriage I knew they still were like when they were first married. At one time before all of this happiness it would discuss me but now I could see what I could have in my life again. Bella brought that into my life and even with both of our issues we were working past them.

Jasper confided in us one night over beer and pizza that he bought an engagement ring for Alice. Neither Emmett nor I were surprised as we knew it was going to happen. When they were together neither one moved without the other. They completed each other as Alice was hyper and active while Jasper was calm and quiet. Jasper asked us that night for the both of us to be his best men. He said he was not going to take this big of a step without both of us up there with him. I asked him about his other friends and he said they were friends not family. He said that he had asked her parents and of course they said yes. The only reason he asked was he wanted permission. Dad and mom taught how to be gentlemen and that is what we were. Jasper said it didn't matter if they said yes or no but it did matter what Bella thought.

I was shocked when he said he asked her for Alice's hand in marriage. He knew that their lives were intertwined and when Alice became his wife he would gain another sister. I was happy to hear that he thought of Bella as a sister. Emmett was happy that he was gaining a new sister and then paused while looking at me as the rest of my family did. I knew in my heart Bella was the one I wanted to be with. I was more than ready to ask her to be my wife but I knew that she was not ready. Hell she was already feeling enough guilt and worry over being the best lover she could for me, I didn't want her to worry about marriage on top of that just yet.

They all sat there looking at me when I told them about how things were between us. Out of all of them Emmett surprised me the most when he said no matter what I did I was going to hurt her when we made love but in time she would enjoy it just like every other woman. I was not a virgin but I remember what it was like when I made love to Sarah for the first time. It was awkward, painful and not a memory I wanted in my brain. I knew it was going to be like that for Bella. I just hoped that she would not hate me or not want to be that close to me again.

Dad said we were a sad bunch of men. Here we worked on construction, drinking beer and eating pizza pinning over our women back at home. Jasper out of all of us was doing ok but poor Emmett he was going fucking nuts. The first week was fine getting in touch with everyone. A winter storm had settled in taking out some of the cell towers with it. I remembered back to one day where we were on a prospective cite with our clients and Emmett was running around yelling "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!?" Into his cell phone.

We all laughed at him until dad stepped in saying put yourself in his shoes and right then and there I felt like complete shit. He left for a job away from his pregnant wife. After all that we helped him find a phone that worked and he finally reached Rose. He passed along messages from all of us as none of our phones were working. Jasper and I found a flower shop so we could send roses to our girls to let them know we were thinking of them. One night I sat down and wrote Bella a letter telling her how I felt and I was missing her. Jasper sent one to Alice too which was probably steamier than mine was.

We got back to our hotel room kind of late. The damn clients said they also wanted to check out some sites in California and we were meeting them out there. We were leaving bright and early in the morning. We each took turns using the phone with Emmett being the first then dad. I told Jasper to go next and I am glad I let him. Jasper had a worried look on his face when he was talking to Alice. Bella was sick with the flu that had hit Portland hard. Jasper saw the look of horror on my face and said he would call her back. It took my family to talk me out of getting on a plane and heading back home to her. Jasper assured that Alice had called the doctor and there was nothing they could do but let it pass. Alice had been taking care of her but she called in a nurse to help. Bella was so sick that Alice was afraid that she would get sick next taking care of her.

I felt horrible that I couldn't be there to help her get to the bathroom or feed her soup. I took care of her in the hospital after her surgery to remove her appendix. Jasper called Alice back and then handed me the phone. Alice gave me the same spiel she gave Jasper and I felt better. She said I could talk to Bella or at least try to. She held the phone up to her ear and I told her I loved her and I missed her and that I wanted her to get better. I told her all the things that I wanted her to hear if I was there. My heart was breaking that I couldn't be there to take care of her like I felt I should have been. Alice came back on the line telling me she was out like a light again. I told her if they needed anything to get mom over there quick. Alice said that before Bella got really incoherent that she made her promise not to have them come over. She didn't want anyone sick or anything to hurt the babies.

Alice said Bella would be ok as that is what the doctor said. In a day or two Bella would be back to her normal self and back to work just like always. I worried about her as she was not sleeping well. We had spent a few nights together and I cherished them. I missed her laying next to me with her hair spread around her face. Her beautiful face looking so peaceful and serene. Even her weird sleep talking made my heart and anatomy grow. I was not sure when I returned home if I could return to the apartment I shared with Jasper.

I had planned to take her to Las Vegas as a Christmas gift but I knew there was something else I wanted to give her. The night of the ball mom opened her treasure chest of family heirlooms. Rosalie knew they were family treasure but kept her mouth shut. I wanted Bella to have my grandmother's diamond set. She looked so beautiful that night in blue wearing them and sparkling in the light. That night broke both of our hearts but it also mended them too. I had asked dad about it and he in turn talked to mom and they both said they would love for Bella to have them. They considered her one of the family and hoped that one day I would ask her to be my wife.

I wanted to give Bella the world. I wanted her to see things she had never seen before. Alice mentioned one day while I stopped over when Bella was at work to tread lightly when it came to doing anything for Bella. She would fight me all the way with anything I wanted to do but in the end she would love it. Alice said to take care of her and to have a happy life with her. I knew what she meant by that when she gave me a hug that cold afternoon. She also said that if I ever hurt her she would kick my ass to hell and back. I told her I would never intentionally hurt Bella. I just wanted to give her everything I knew she never had. Alice said to take little steps when it came to spoiling her. She said that Bella still had a hart time excepting that she deserved whatever she was given.

I saw us with children with my unruly hair and her brown eyes. I would love to have a daughter with Bella's stubbornness and talent. I wanted a son that had our music talent too. Emmett let it slip one night while we were eating the Rose had mentioned that Bella could play the guitar. I never knew that but I wondered when I saw it in her closet one of the nights I stayed over. I didn't ask her about it as pressure was one thing I didn't want to put on Bella. It made me love her even more when I knew we had music in common.

We got some much needed sleep that night and headed out for California. We were all happy as we would be home in 5 days. We would be back where we belonged and all of us were happy to do so.