EPOV
I felt his little legs gently move on me. Bella was right he wasn't going to be sleeping in his bed. I kissed Anthony's head noticing he was awake and looking at his sleeping mother. The clock said it was six and I knew he would start getting fussy soon.
We must have successfully made it through the night without any nightmares because I didn't wake up and she looked like she slept.
I looked down at my son; I was still slightly in awe of him. He was so little, but carried the presence of something big. Since we've brought him home, I try to get one on one time with him. He and Bella have the bonding time when she feeds him and I get that, but I wanted him to myself too. I am the same way with Mackenzie, I take her with me to run errands or grab lunch.
Anthony started getting a little more restless and I knew I needed to wake her.
"Bella," I whispered and she stirred.
"Hmmm," she mumbled, her eyes fluttering open and looking directly at Anthony who was eye level with her. "Hey, baby boy."
"He's kicking away I think he's gearing up for food."
"Let me see my boy," she cooed getting him ready. "Get Kenz ready? She was in here yesterday when I fed him and started interrogating me about the twins."
"Serves you right I had tell explain what Anthony's little captain was," I replied seriously.
She giggled puckering her lips and I obliged. "I love you," she murmured.
"I love you," I repeated with a goofy smile. "I'm going to make my birthday girl breakfast, then get her up. Do you want me to bring your food up here?"
"Bring Kenz in here and we'll eat together."
"You got it Mommy," I grinned kissing her again and then Anthony.
She smiled, but still looked off just like she had the day before. At least now, she wasn't pushing me away.
I walked into the kitchen and saw Charlie nurse his cup of coffee looking like death. Emmett was on the couch so I figured he would be feeling the same way.
"Hey Chief!" I said loudly.
"Edward I like you, you're married to my daughter, and are the father of my grandbabies, but I will kick your ass," he threatened making me chuckle.
"Em won?"
"That damn brother of yours…" he trailed off, sipping his coffee.
I started the French toast and Charlie remained silent leaning against the counter.
"So next week's the Africa trip?"
"Yeah, I leave Tuesday," I said carefully, stirring the bowl in front of me.
"I know Bells is having a hard time with this, because of the baby, but what you're doing is good."
"Uh, thanks."
"You remember the time when Bella was about thirteen and you went to the homecoming dance with your brother and Jasper."
"I didn't tell her I was going," I replied quietly.
"She went to your house to see if you would take her to the movies and Esme told her you left already," he reflected.
"Mom dragged me out of the dance." I never told Bella about the dance because Emmett provoked me. Saying I never did anything without her, I wanted to prove him wrong.
"She came in crying about you being a liar, how you didn't love her anymore," he sighed rolling his eyes.
"As soon as you let me in she decked me," I chuckled remembering the black eye I had and the lecture I got from my dad for hurting Bella's punching hand.
"My point is that was the first time I realized you could cause my baby girl a world of hurt. Edward, I know what goes on in those places and that's the reason you're being sent to photograph them, but if you find yourself in danger fight like hell to get back home to your family. It hasn't just been you and Bella for a long time, those kids are your life they need you too."
I choked back the tears that wanted to fall. He was right I'd done stupid things that had hurt her, but that would be nothing if I didn't come home. "I don't want to go," I finally said.
I did the research and had been briefed on safety and combat procedures in Sierra Leone. Out of the three, this one was the most dangerous trip.
"I didn't tell you this to make you feel guilty; I want you to know what you have to come home to."
"Mini! Stop, please for the love of good stop," Emmett groaned from the living room.
"You might want to save him, I'll take over?" Charlie offered, but I knew he couldn't cook and I think my face gave that away. "You already have it made up I just need to throw it on the skillet."
"Miniiiii," Emmett was getting louder.
"Come here, Mack," I heard being mumbled as I entered the room. James had Mackenzie in his arms and Emmett had his pillow under his head cupping the ends to his ears.
"It's so loud!" Emmett whined.
Mackenzie's giggles filled the room at her crazy uncle's expense.
"May I see my birthday girl," I asked James and he shrugged giving her to me. "Happy Birthday, monk."
"I'm five today!" she squealed and Emmett cried some more.
"You're getting too big," I whispered to myself kissing her head.
She noticed my sadness and kissed both my cheeks. "I'm little still."
"You're right," I mused for her benefit. "Let's see if Pap burnt breakfast."
"Make the talking stop!" Em huffed thrashing on the couch like the baby he was.
Luckily, Charlie didn't burn breakfast and he had it ready by the time we got in there. Mackenzie and I ate breakfast in bed with Bella and Anthony. Bella cried when Mackenzie said she was five, feeling the same way I did.
Em and Rosalie went home to get ready for the dinner. Alice and Jazz showed up around noon, both refusing to help. Mom and Sue were the ones who stepped in, helping with the food and Mackenzie. Anthony and I sat in the living room with Alice, Jazz, Charlie and James.
Alice and her round belly were sitting on Jasper's lap. They both looked happy; the weird thing was this was the first time I'd been around both of them at the same time.
"He likes sitting with his Daddy," Alice smiled at me as Anthony was looking up blinking at me.
"Of course he does," I grinned.
"When Anthony and Stella get married we'll be one big happy family," she sighed dreamily.
"Stella?" I balked. Did she already have my son's wife picked out for him?
"We're having a girl," she beamed.
"Darlin' no Cullen or any other boys for that matter will be goin' after my lil' princess," Jasper sighed lazily. Fucker was high.
"Jazzy," she pouted.
"Alice don't you want her to have… options?" I choked out worried for Anthony.
"Options? No, they'll be perfect for each other. It will be like you and Bella, but they get to start younger."
"Oh god," Jazz and I groaned at once.
Bella came into the room smiling as she cuddled next to me. "What's wrong?"
"Apparently Anthony has a fiancé," I nodded toward Alice and her stomach.
"I thought we discussed this," Bella frowned at her.
"I know, but think of how perfect it will be," she said hopeful.
"Alice you haven't even had her yet. When they're in their twenties and if they even like each other, then we'll worry about it."
"Fine," she grunted.
We sat discussing everything and anything except my upcoming departure. Chloe came in as Angela, Ben and they're daughter Emma arrived.
For a fifth birthday, we tried to keep it as simple as possible, but our friends and family decided to go rogue on that idea with their gift giving. Anthony even made out good on clothes. We kept his presents under wraps from Kenz though.
After many Barbie and Disney princess crap later it was time for dinner. Bella truly out did herself and I realized how much I missed her cooking. Out of the two of us, she was the better chef.
Esme went picture happy and the girls hammed it up for her. More so Mackenzie than Chloe. I tried to shield Anthony from it because the flashes from the camera were not making him happy.
I would say the dinner was a success we were all happy and together. After everyone left, Bella took Chloe and Mackenzie upstairs to get ready for bed. I laid Anthony down and went to go clean the kitchen when I heard the girls talking to Bella while they got their bath.
"Mommy I don't want Daddy leaving again," Mackenzie sighed and I heard the water splashing around.
"Baby… Daddy has to work," Bella, said her voice slightly strained.
"Mr. Edward gots to take pictures?" Chloe asked.
"He does," Bella, replied I could hear a forced smile in her voice.
"But Mommy who's going to take me and Ani to the park? Who's going to swim with me in Nana's pool? I'm little and there's a lot of water! Who…"
"Kenz, I can do those things."
"You never do," Mackenzie argued.
"I can now," she muttered.
That was the end of their conversation. Bella turned it towards Chloe by asking her how her mother was.
I left my place against the wall to clean the kitchen, getting lost in my thoughts. Maybe when I get back I can look into a gallery or even teaching at the university. Anything to keep me home would work.
I needed to get out of my existing contracts. There was nothing around it; it's what needed to be done. I was tired of leaving Bella and Mackenzie. Anthony was new to this and I didn't want to leave him either. When I got back, I was talking with Tanya and changing my career path for my family and me.
A/N: This was short and there is one chapter left after this and the possibly two epi's. No there will not be a sequel, I have another fic and will be committed to it after this is done, and it's called Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop. It's different but give it a chance I swear it will be worth it! My awesome beta of course is Dolphin62958. And last chapter was just wow… with all the reviews! Tell me your thoughts.