Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, but not Merged Souls

Authors Note: Thanks again P! I'm forever in your debt.

Chapter 8

EPOV

Esme knocked and came quietly into the room shyly asking. "Can I see the pictures?" She wanted to be the one to tell the rest of the family. And since Bella and I had unfinished business in the bedroom, we readily agreed that grandma, grandpa and Auntie Rose could deliver the news. I would never have made it downstairs anyway my problem was back and very painful...I just couldn't control myself when Bella was naked.

I scooped Bella up and raced to the bedroom, laughingly she said: "Are you beginning to notice a pattern here? After you're cock blocked in any way you run much faster than normal, when you're carrying me upstairs." The sex kitten tease was back. But I promised myself we would discuss the babies after my immediate problem was rectified. I had us naked and in bed under the covers within seconds of opening the door and we would not rise again until the following morning at 9:00 am.

Apparently being pregnant makes a woman ravenously horny and hungry, not necessarily in that order. Not the entire night was about sex, we actually spent a considerable amount of time discussing the babies. We decided that we didn't care what their sex was as long as they were all healthy. Yes I knew it was cliché but it was true. We were at a loss for names, and when we started to think about things the babies would need from us as their parents, we wondered if we were really prepared to be parents. After all we wouldn't have nine months to get used to the idea. I wanted to get online right away and read or order every child rearing book available. Bella accused me of freaking out and told me that I was scaring her. So we alternated. She'd cry and I'd comfort her. Then I'd go catatonic and she'd talk me back to reality. Finally we accepted that no one is ever ready to be a parent but we would do the best that we could.

As soon as Bella woke up her stomach growled loud enough that Emmett was snickering from the great room. He called out that Esme was making blueberry muffins for the pack. Bella looked a little sheepish, as I kissed her on the forehead, so I suggested she take a shower and then come down for breakfast. "Um, Edward, do you want to join me."

The 17 year old raised his head but I beat him back down. Bella needed to eat first. "Love that is an advanced level of sexual intimacy, if we start we won't be stopping this time and that could take a while. So I think you should eat first." I was going to prepare pancakes which are her favourite. But she requested a ham and cheese omelet instead. What was it with her and eggs?

Leah was in the kitchen when I got there munching on blueberry muffins, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. She smiled and then smirked: "Well Edward, who would have thought that your 109 year old swimmers would be that potent. That must be one for the books. Congratulations, Daddy! Oh by the way Carlisle said the blood for Bella is in the fridge in the travelers mug you should warm it up for her." I looked at her like she was crazy. I was really hoping it was a joke, so I waited for the punch line. She gave me an evil smile and shrugged: "And I almost forgot, he said it's part of the new dietary requirements he forgot to mention last night. He also said not to worry. That as soon as she smells it she'll go for it as well as the eggs. See you later daddy." She left and headed out to the garage chuckling with her newspaper in hand.

I speed dialed Carlisle. When he answered he didn't wait for me to ask the question. "Sorry son Dr. Stanley needed my assistance in the OR this morning, or I would have been there to talk to you and Bella." I took a deep breath I was hoping for a reasonable explanation about the blood. "Edward, Bella is carrying three hybrid children. According to what I know from Maggie her cravings will not be for pickles and ice cream. These babies will exert their influence soon and they actually need the additional nutrients found in the blood. Not to worry though, it's donated O Positive human blood. And before you ask, yes I have warned the entire family to keep an eye on Jasper. But Alice says he'll be fine as long as we stick to the O Positive. He hates it and the preservatives used in donated blood make it even less appealing. Just as a warning though Bella may also become a little possessive of her beverage. So don't argue with her, she doesn't need the added stress in her condition. There is additional blood in the fridge in my study. I have always kept a few units on hand for when Bella visited, you know just in case. And I'll be bringing more home with me off and on now that she's pregnant. So are you good, any questions?"

Just to be a brat I said. "Okay sure Carlisle. But I was actually calling to see if you could pick up some more eggs on your way home." Carlisle laughed and hung up.

Jasper walked into the kitchen as I pulled the travel mug and eggs out of the fridge to prepare Bella's breakfast. I looked at him trying to assess if I needed to defend the cup. He smirked and said: "You cannot tell me that with the preservatives in that blood that you find it the least bit appetizing."

I smiled at him and set the things down on the counter and shook my head. "Sorry." Then he playfully made a dive for the cup and laughed when I grabbed it and growled at him. He laughed all the way into the great room and challenged Emmett to a game of Halo. After he had collected fifty bucks from him. Apparently they had bet on my reaction to Jasper lunging for the blood.

I had just finished the omelette and was warming the blood when Bella came down the stairs she stopped in the kitchen doorway and inhaled, "Mmmm, that omelette looks delicious! But what's in the cup that smells so good?"

I stood there with my mouth hanging open. I was remembering Bella and the biology class where the smell of blood had made her faint. So things had obviously changed but I still wasn't sure how she'd take the news. "Ah, Bella sweetheart, remember Carlisle said that you would need to make some changes to your diet?"

She looked around the kitchen I assumed for Carlisle. "Yeah, does he want to go over them now?"

"No he had to go to the hospital for a while. But I guess you could say he left you a supplement."

"Good lord, I hope it's not too big. I hate taking pills and I understand that those pre natal vitamins can choke a horse. I hope it's just an iron supplement those are usually pretty small."

"Well I guess you could say it's more of an iron supplement."

I held the travel mug out to her, she cocked her head to one side, "Wow, it comes in liquid form? Is this going to be gross?" She closed her eyes and leaned over the cup to inhale. She smiled and took the cup popping the lid looking inside then her eyes got really big. She snapped the lid back on and quietly said: "Oh!" She sat down at the breakfast bar. "Edward? I'm not sure about this. It smells heavenly and I trust Carlisle, but is this going to cause problems?"

Typical Bella thinking of everyone else first. "You mean with Jasper?"

"Not just him, but anyone that is haemoglobin addicted?" That produced a rousing laugh from the great room. I shook my head and assured her that she was safe.

"Oh I know no one would ever hurt me, intentionally. I just don't want to have to fight you for that cup." She busted out an award winning smile when Emmett started braying like a mule and Jasper sounded like he was choking. I crooked an eyebrow and smirked handing her the cup.

"Ha, ha, you think you're very funny don't you! For your information, preserved blood is almost as disgusting to us as human food. You won't have to arm wrestle anyone today."

She grabbed the cup out of my hand and took a sip. She looked over the rim of the cup at me, with the most doe like eyes. I had to slap the inner 17 year old down again. Then she grinned smacked her lips and took a bigger drink while moving to sit down at the table to start on her omelette.

I heard Emmett crow and Jasper groan in the other room and the sound of money changing hands again. Emmett had bet on Bella going for it without a problem. I sat across from Bella watching her sip and eat but her groans of delight were starting to cause me a little discomfort in my pants. I was in complete awe of this beautiful woman before me and wanted her more than anything in this world. I beat down the beast so she could at least enjoy her breakfast in peace.

After she finished I wanted nothing more than to take her back to our bedroom. The family had other ideas though. We wandered into the game room her travel mug in hand. Alice wanted to go shopping for Bella's wedding dress for the Civil Ceremony next week. But I had already promised Bella she could wear jeans, even sweats if she wanted. The evil pixie had other ideas. It should be interesting to see who would win that argument, the hormonal pregnant human or the shopaholic designer snob vampire. As those thoughts flashed through my mind Alice stuck her tongue out at me.

Bella caught the exchange and looked back over her shoulder at me with a smug smile, as I sat down on the love seat and pulled her onto my lap. She pointed to Alice. "I know what's going through that brain of yours Alice and the answer is yes, we can go tomorrow. My jeans are getting to tight and as much as I hate to say this I will go shopping because I need some new clothes. And with my expanding waist line I would like to be able to camouflage it as much as possible." Money again exchange hands this time between Rose and Esme.

And once again my mouth was hanging open, Bella leaned back and kissed me on the cheek, "It's okay honey. I haven't really changed I'm just doing what needs to be done. It's my choice and no one is forcing me."

"Well thank god for that because as often as we may butt heads. I really do love your fierce independence."

She continued to sip from the travel mug with occasional moan of satisfaction so I had to ask. "Does that blood really taste that good to you?"

She smiled up at me but held her cup away. "Oh yeah, it's really yummy! But it does have a slight chemical taste." She turned to Jasper and said: "Are you sure this doesn't bother you? I can always drink it upstairs if it does."

Jasper just shrugged his shoulders concentrating on the game. "It's okay little sis. It doesn't smell very appetizing because of the preservatives they use. They also separate the cells from the plasma so it changes the whole bouquet" He laughed and continued. "Huh, listen to us it sounds like we're discussing the attributes of a fine wine." We all chuckled and went back to watching the guys for a while.

Esme wanted to talk to me and Bella about how we were going to handle Renee, which was a huge question mark. Charlie knew a bit about our world but could we trust Renee with the secret? It was decided that we'd talk to Carlisle and get Charlie's input, then we would decide as a family what to share.

Oh god Charlie! He was really going to want to kill me now! Bella being pregnant would probably have destroyed any chance I had at an amicable relationship with my future father-in-law. I guessed I could kiss fly fishing goodbye. Rose told me that I might still get back in his good graces. She had found a 1957 T bird that was up for auction. But it was sealed bids only. I gave her the go ahead to bid whatever she thought it would take to get it. I asked her to also set up a work bench with tools for Charlie. One thing Rose wouldn't do with this project was share her work space or her tools. She was a wiz of a mechanic but she jealously guarded her space and not even Emmett could touch her tools without permission and supervision. I tossed her my black American Express card and she went over to the computer to put in her bid.

Emmett wasn't concentrating on the game, instead he was thinking about the babies. He was going over the look on Rose's face last night when Esme and Rose had told the family about the triplets. I was surprised to see a beautiful smile grace her face, when Esme said that we wanted their help in raising them. When they went hunting that evening there was a great debate about what each Aunt and Uncle could and could not teach the babies. They kept bugging Alice to know what their gender would be, all she could say was: "Sorry guys, I really can't see them, and it's damn frustrating! After all how am I supposed to shop for them? It looks like we're going to have to use gender neutral colours to decorate and dress them. Oh my god, all the clothes will have to style neutral as well, damn!"

Alice looked at me then and silently asked if I could hear the triplet's thoughts yet. Maybe I could determine their sex for her, so her shopping and decorating wouldn't be so frustrating. I just laughed at her and shared with the family what she had asked. They thought I should give it a try, including Bella. The level of excitement in the room was ridiculous, I'd never tried anything like it before and didn't even know if they had matured enough to create thoughts. Bella shifted and sat beside me leaning back into the love seat and pointed to her even more noticeable baby bump.

I leaned down and placed my ear on Bella's abdomen. Just then the pack including Cody entered through the back door. Being unable to see exactly what was going on, it might have looked like I was attacking Bella. Cody growled and started to shake but Leah grabbed his arm and Jasper and Emmett jumped in front of us prepared to stop Cody. It would seem that nothing ever caught Leah unawares she had noticed Alice and Esme's relaxed postures and smiles so she knew Bella was fine. But she couldn't resist turning it into a joke with sexual innuendo. "God Edward, I know that you and Bella have just recently surrendered your virgin cards. But its generally considered to be in poor taste to perform cunnilingus in front of the rentals and siblings let alone the hired help." Hell, is she being coached by Emmett? Everyone burst out laughing including Bella and myself, poor Cody looked totally confused but relaxed.

It had been distracted but my ear was still on the baby bump and suddenly I was bombarded with not exactly voices but more like sounds and tones with random colour patterns. The sounds seemed to be distorted as if coming through water but it sounded a bit like Bella and me talking to the babies last night. Then it changed and was a mimic of Emmett's voice making baby noises when he tried talking to Bella's belly yesterday. And finally there were the sounds of Carlisle talking while examining Bella.

Then it changed again after Bella asked me what I'd heard. I gasped and leaned in closer. "Bella, honey say something to the babies." Bella inhaled sharply and her eyes went wide "Edward, can you hear them? What are they saying? Oh my God this is wonderful! Oh babies, your Momma and Daddy love you very much and we can't wait for you to be born! You will be loved by so many wonderful people."

At first there was nothing and then "Momma, Daddy?" It was a decidedly feminine voice, and then two other distinct voices started up, with the same questions. I murmured to them that yes it was momma and daddy. There was a collective sigh from the babies, and then one of the other voices spoke up "Daddy play?" and the other "Daddy run with Momma?" Both voices sounded almost identical and they sounded exactly like me only higher pitched. "Alice I think I might have established their gender for you."

I rubbed Bella's bump and told the babies after they were born we would do all kinds of things together. The little female voice asked if momma would read to them. I passed everything they were saying along to the family. Bella was grinning from ear to ear and patted the side of her belly agreeing that yes she would read to them, starting tonight.

Alice was bouncing around like a toddler on a sugar high, "Come on Edward, what are they all boys, all girls, what, what, WHAT!" Bella and I just stared at her. It was amazing that someone that's supposed to be over 100 years old could act like a 2 year old.

Jasper, Emmett and Rose and were laughing their asses off Esme was having a hard time trying to retain her composure, but she was on the verge of losing it. The pack were totally destroyed and rolling on the floor.

Alice finally realized what she was doing and stopped. Bella looked at me and shrugged. "Go ahead and tell her Edward, otherwise she'll buy three of everything in blue and pink, it'll be such a waste." Then she giggled. I asked her if she was sure and she nodded. "Put her out of her misery, anyone can see she's dying to start planning the shopping trips, and besides it'll help Esme plan the nursery and renovations."

Esme smiled and nodded, mouthing a silent thank you to Bella. I grinned wide and went to open my mouth, then I heard Carlisle's car just turn onto the drive. Why don't we wait for Grandpa, so he can hear the news as well?" Alice pouted "God Alice, he's like a minute away surely you can wait that long, before you implode." Carlisle came through the door. Alice squealed and jumped up, dragging him to sit beside Esme. He looked at me expectantly so I clued him about what had the Pixie so hyper.

As I opened my mouth Emmett yelled. "Wait, WAIT, let's bet on this. The first bet is on what we think the babies are before Edward tells us. And the second bet will be if Edward is actually right not to be determined of course until after they're born."

Bella huffed, stared at Emmett and nodded towards him and Jasper who had just lit up like a kid at Christmas. "Listen up guys neither of you will initiate any bets regarding our children. It's degrading, immature and just plain stupid. You two have a serious problem!" They both looked like chastised children but when Esme agreed with Bella they knew that they were dead in the water.

I chuckled at them but understood their chagrin. If our places had been reversed, I would have been betting as well. So I felt obliged to throw them a bone and asked Bella: "Can they at least bet on weight, time and date of birth? Humans do that all the time." She huffed at me and looked to Esme who just shrugged. "Really Edward, you're as bad as they are... okay but that's all. You're such a spoiled brat."

Alice really was on the verge of imploding, so I wasted no further time and told them: "A girl, and two boys." Rose asked me how I could be sure. I told her the girl had a definite feminine tone to her thoughts and the boys both sounded exactly like me.

Emmett groaned and we all looked at him perplexed "This is God's cruel joke isn't it. He's going to get back at me for all those times I called you Eddie, teased you about being gay, and called you emo." He looked at the ceiling. "I'm sorry God, please don't do this to me."

I reminded Emmett that they were my children and bound to have some of traits that were both mine and Bella's. And just because their thoughts sounded like me didn't mean that they would actually be like me.

He grinned and looked at Jasper then me. "Hey we'll have enough for a hockey team now!"

Jasper looked at him and scowled. "Yeah but we still won't have anyone to play against 5 on 5."

Bella smiled at them like an indulgent parent, "No but you'll be able to play 3 on 3 father and sons against grandpa and the uncles" The other men in the family smiled at the thought.

Rose interjected that she could teach our daughter how to skate and then the girls could play 5 on 5 against the guys but that would have to wait until after I was changed. The pack interrupted and pointed out that they could play 5 on 5. The wolves against vamps and hybrids. After that, the talk just degenerated from there into trash talking each other's skills and ancestry.

Before this got out of hand I cleared my throat and asked them not to make any plans for my children's future just yet. "Let's see what they're interested in, how fast they grow, and even if I'm right about their gender."

Bella took my hand and smiled: "Of course you're right Edward."

The conversation then drifted into renovations, our upcoming civil ceremony, dresses, shopping trips and baby supplies. It was a happy atmosphere. I suppose I should have realized it wasn't going to last. My phone rang and my caller ID showed me it was Sam. "It's Sam." Everyone stopped talking and looked to me. I opened the phone and put it on speaker. "Hi Sam, I have you on speaker, the Pack is here as well as my family."

Sam wasted no time. "Edward, Jacob's back, and he's pissed that Billy isn't here. He's accusing you of kidnapping him."

"The council all know where Billy is but the rest of the tribe doesn't because of our secret. He's trying to push his claim as hereditary Chief to take over the council and he's wants a tribal vote to declare him Chief. And Edward, he just might get it. He's worked up a lot of people about the council being so slow in taking the help of the non profit organization that wanted to fund infrastructure upgrades. Obviously he doesn't know whose behind that organization but regardless he's making a good case for himself."

Bella spoke up then: "Sam that doesn't sound like Jacob he hated that the tribe looked to his family as their unofficial leaders. He thought it was pain and a burden he could do without."

Sam didn't say anything for a bit, "I know Bella. He was never interested in tribal law or traditions. They were always a kind of joke to him. But what bothers me the most is Jacob isn't smart enough to know how to use that stuff now. He's getting help from someone but I can't figure out who. No one on the Rez has any political or financial background that could advise him. So Old Quil, and Sue want to meet with you guys as soon as possible but it can't be on the Rez. And guys Jacob doesn't know about the revised treaty yet."

He let out a sigh and was silent, so I asked: "Sam you seem pretty well informed, who you are getting your information from?"

"Rachel, she used the excuse of visiting Emily to come see me. She's scared and she's not sure she can trust Paul completely. She doesn't think he'd intentionally give us up, but he has a short fuse and a big mouth. Jacob is living with them, or as he says they are living in his home. Rachel wants out of there, Esme is there any way she and Paul can stay with the pack at your place? I told her I'd ask."

Leah looked at Esme and nodded, "Yes of course they can stay here Sam. We have a lovely two bedroom cottage not far from the garage. I was renovating it for Bella and Edward but it's not going to be big enough now. I can have it furnished and liveable by noon tomorrow, let's get them out of there. And Sam we have extra room for anyone else that wants out. What about the girls that are imprinted do you think he would use them against the pack?"

"No Esme, I don't think so, they all have a family they live with here it would be hard to cause them trouble and not upset their families. Will you do me a favour though. Keep Cody away from the Rez. You hear me kid? Stay away, Jacob Black is poison!"

"Sam, he's right here and he heard you, we'll take care of him." I smiled at Cody and he nodded at me. "Hey are you and Emily okay?"

"Yeah I think we'll be fine I'm still technically the head of the council and he can't challenge that. And he can't claim his Dad's position because he signed over his proxy to me at Sue's insistence. He's not about to go against the widow of Harry Clearwater. She's revered like a saint by most of the tribe."

"But if he wins the status of Hereditary Chief he could dissolve the council. And that's where it doesn't make sense I don't think it's Jacob pulling the strings. He has to appeal to the Pacific Northwest Confederation of First Nations to assert his claim. But none of the other tribes even acknowledge the role of Chief any longer. They all prefer the system of having an elected council which prevents putting too much power in the hands of one person. So I can't see them supporting him. But ultimately it's the tribes right to decide. It will have to go to a vote."

It all sounded like this could end up causing a rift in the tribe. "Take care Sam, and keep us informed. Let us know if there's anything we can do for you. But before you go, has he said anything about Bella?"

"Yeah Edward, but it's just the same old shit. Rachel says he not only sounds crazy when he talks about Bella he looks crazy too. He hasn't mentioned to anyone what happened before he took off. He's acting like it didn't happen. Rachel says he keeps making plans to go see Bella at Charlie's as if they're going out on a date. He doesn't even acknowledge that you are back Edward. So watch yourself it could all be an act, he can't be trusted. Apparently he mumbles a lot in private about the Cullen's and that bastard blood sucker which I take means you. I'll try and stop by with Emily soon. She said that Leah alluded to you having some baby news? Kind of put the cart before the horse didn't you Cullen!" At this point he was laughing and barely got out his next sentence using a very bad British accent. "How very non Victorian of you." He dissolved into hysterical fits of laughter.

Bella blushed but leaned forward and said: "Yep he has very potent swimmers, Sam. We're having triplets!" She was so damn cute and happy, she was laughing now at the stunned silence from the other side. Except that you could hear Emily yelling in the background "Congratulations!" I thanked him for calling and closed my phone.

Leah and Jasper had already started going over security features at the house, garage and cottage. Then Leah started to draw up new patrol schedules for Jasper's approval. The town of Forks was neutral ground under the old treaty so I didn't think he would try anything there. But we decided that everyone would travel with a least one wolf or vampire for any excursions into town. Alice was already on line ordering some commercial freezers and refrigerators for the gardening shed and, using an old commercial account we had, to order enough food for several months to be delivered tomorrow. It felt like we were preparing for a siege.

We drew up a schedule for Carlisle as to who would be at the hospital with him when he was working. And, to the delight of the hospital, he was able to change his shifts to work days when the place was busier. We figured the more activity the better, and Jacob was less likely to try something in broad daylight in a public place.

Bella was looking pensive biting her lip and ignoring her travel mug. She unconsciously wrapped her hands around her belly, "Edward, Charlie can't go home with Jacob around."

After much discussion we knew it would be impossible to convince the Chief to move in with us, even with the threat of Jacob. And no matter what we thought up, Alice always saw him returning home with Jacob as the welcoming committee. So it was decided that a little arson would be in order, to force Charlie to join his daughter in our fortress. Jasper and Seth would take care of it tonight, just enough to knock out the electrical and cause enough water and smoke damage to require extensive renovations.

Alice, Esme, Bella and I would go with them to pack up the things they'd want to keep, and replace them with some props. Speed and stealth were important. I would've preferred to leave Bella at home, but she insisted she was the only one who could decide what needed to be packed. I just didn't like the idea of Jacob Black sniffing around, so we set the time for 3:00 am. We could pack up and have the fire well underway, before it would be called in by their neighbour, Mr. Porter, the neighbourhood's early riser since he had to travel to Port Angeles for work.

It really didn't take that long before the house was packed, and the fire was ready to be set. Bella was in the truck with Alice and Esme. And, with one last look through, I yelled: "Okay Jasper let her rip." The smoke started to roll out the front door almost immediately. We had parked the truck two blocks away so no one had witnessed us moving anything out. Bella had really been on edge while we moved through the house and had a panic attack in her bedroom. I got her out of there after that.

The grounds surrounding Charlie's house and both entrances reeked of Jacob Black's stench but none of us told Bella. When I got to the truck, Bella was in tears. Esme was trying to console her but she reached for me when I opened the door. "He's been there, Edward, hasn't he?" I just nodded. "I knew it! You were all on edge the whole time. Please tell me he wasn't inside the house. And please tell me he didn't touch my things... please."

"You're right he's been there Bella. But it was hours before, he circled the house and checked both doors but he didn't go in."

"Thank god, I don't want his stench on anything we bring back to the house. I especially don't want it in our room. Edward promise me if you can smell his scent on anything of mine, please burn it, I don't want that between us."

"It's okay love, Alice already saw you would ask so she checked everything including Charlie's things. All we had to leave behind were some photos of you at La Push beach."

"Oh thank god, those pictures are really awful Mike and Jessica took them." That's my Bella, trying to lighten the mood. However I liked the pictures of Bella and had Alice make copies of all those that we left behind so they could be placed in my private collection along with my pictures of sleeping Bella.

Bella's stomach growled and she looked at me sheepishly. "The babies are very hungry." Then she bit her lower lip.

By the time we got home she was very tired but she wanted to be with Charlie when he got the news about the house. "Bella, you're not a very good actress. Charlie will know that we had something to do with it. She stuck her tongue out at me but insisted that if he guessed then he guessed. What could he do? The house wasn't liveable which was a valid point. So I called Carlisle and warned him that we would be dropping by with the bad news after Bella had breakfast.

I was right Charlie would have seen through our lie. He already knew about the fire when we got there Deputy Marks had called him. Bella was really on edge driving over and thought that we might as well tell him about the pregnancy too. Her baby bump was becoming very obvious and if he was going to be moving in with the Cullen's he would find out sooner or later. She was right of course. I just didn't want to give up any progress I'd made in getting Charlie to like me.

We also had to change our plans for the civil ceremony. Fortunately, a friend of Carlisle's, Judge Gareth had consented to marry Bella and I, in exchange for Carlisle changing the documentation on his little 'hunting accident' to something less embarrassing. Apparently the judge had shot himself in the foot while cleaning his gun and he didn't want to be the laughing stock of the judiciary if it ever got out... which it would regardless. So our Civil Ceremony was set for tomorrow afternoon, the family, the pack and their imprints would all be there.

When we arrived Charlie was sitting up in bed in his private room, and Carol was with him, her temporary contract was done at the hospital so we'd hired her as Charlie's private duty nurse. Bella walked over and kissed him on the cheek. Carlisle was still making rounds so we sat down thinking we'd wait before we said anything. I should never have underestimated Charlie, and I probably never will again.

Charlie leaned back in his bed and took a deep breath looking right at me: "Edward, was it really necessary to torch my house?" I was totally caught off guard! Up until he spoke he had been assessing the size of Carol's breasts. I couldn't always get a read on Charlie and this was one of those times, damn it Alice must have missed it as well or she would have called.

"Oh and while we're at it I want a video of the wedding. I know you'll hold something grander later, but the first one will always be special I just wish I could be there." Bella and I sat with our mouths open, really what could we say or do. Then he dropped the next bomb. This man has seriously mad detection skills. "And while we're at it I know you're pregnant Bella. And that Jacob Black is back."

Bella and I were both stunned yet gain. Charlie looked very smug but I couldn't tell how upset he was by any of it. "Come on guys, I'm the Chief of Police and this is my town. There isn't much that gets by me. Marks called about the fire and the Fire Chief dropped by to tell me about the damage to the house. He mentioned that all my fishing equipment had been destroyed but the equipment he described was Bella's old stuff and not mine. The TV that was destroyed was also not mine I only buy American. I would never own a Sony."

He turned to Bella with a half smile which looked really odd with his partial mustache and said: "You'll be happy to know Bells, that the kitchen and the laundry room are a total wright off. But both bedrooms were fine except for some strange reason both closets were gutted along with the bathroom. These were things that you constantly complained about Bella. The only one that didn't make sense were the closets unless of course you're Alice Cullen. Judge Gareth also stopped by to congratulate me on the forth coming marriage of my daughter to Edward Cullen and he was happy to be able to perform the ceremony. That old wind bag has never been able to keep a secret. And he has no business being anywhere near a gun he's a lousy shot, serves him right shooting off his toe." And the hits just kept rolling, he was really enjoying himself and Bella looked like she wanted to crawl under a rock, but I was having a hard time suppressing a chuckle until he continued.

Up until now Charlie had been pretty proud of himself but his face fell and he got very serious, "Rachel Black came by yesterday sporting a black eye and an ace bandage around her wrist, courtesy of one very pissed off brother when he found out Billy had flown the coup. I'm sure you already know that Jake is trying to take over the council and is trying to have himself declared Chief. I was worried about her safety until I heard that Esme and Carlisle are going to take her and Paul in. Your parents are good people Edward, but what the hell is wrong with Paul letting Jake get away with that?"

Then he became thoughtful and his expression softened looking at Bella, "And finally, Carol saw you both looking at baby clothes in the hospital gift shop the other day when she was coming back from coffee. I took that and added the extra baggy clothes you've been wearing lately Bells and put one and one together and it made three."

Bella looked like she was going to be sick so I tried to lighten the mood and corrected Charlie's math. "In this case Charlie one and one make five."

Now Charlie looked sick, Bella was ready to freak out, and Carol looked like she could barely keep from laughing. Carlisle walked in looked around at the other faces in the room and then at me and covered his mouth. But he couldn't hold it back so while he was laughing he managed to get out. "I'm guessing he knows everything we were going to tell him?"

"Oh Yeah he does. That and more." I explained at vampire speed everything Charlie had just divulged and it only made Carlisle laugh all the harder.

Leah came in at that moment looked at everybody. "Holy shit Edward, he knows and your still alive?"

"Leah, he knows everything and we didn't have to say a word to him."

"Can't say I'm surprised, my Dad always said there was nothing that went on in Forks that the Chief didn't know. But he could never figure out how he did it, it's not like Charlie is a big talker."

Bella came around first, I thought she was going to cry but when I looked at Charlie he was grinning from ear to ear. "Bells, I was afraid I'd never have any grandkids what with Edward's, shall we say, condition."

Carol really started to laugh then. She was laughing so hard she was crying but she was finally able to gasp out: "His condition...oh Charlie, you call him being a vampire a condition? I'm sorry guys I didn't want to say anything but I could tell by your eyes that you're the vegetarian vampires of legend."

Now Bella, Leah and Charlie started laughing and Carlisle and I just stood there stunned. Carol came over and put her hand on my shoulder. "It's okay Edward, Carlisle, when I was younger I back packed through Europe with friends. When we got to Italy one of our friends went missing. The police found no trace of her. We were just outside of a place called Volterra." She got very quiet then and said: "We ended our trip and came back to the states. I went to school out of state but her disappearance always haunted me, it shook us all up pretty bad. None of us from that trip have ever stayed in touch. I think we all felt responsible in some way."

She brushed a tear from her eye then and took a deep breath. "At my graduation I received a letter from Anne the girl that had disappeared. She wanted me to know that she was okay. She said she had changed a lot, but she wanted me to know that she was alive and doing well. She said she knew that out of all of us on that trip her disappearance would bother me the most. I met her about three weeks later for coffee, she was gorgeous but very pale and despite the heat in South Florida she didn't perspire. And, her touch was actually cold, her blue eyes were now gold but she claimed they were contacts. That the skin changes were from a change in her diet she said she was a vegetarian...well you get the picture, she left and I haven't seen her since. It really bothered me when she left. I had asked for her number and e-mail but she gave me bogus contact information. All those changes just didn't add up to a change in diet, so I tried researching conditions that she might be suffering from. You know what happens when you type all those symptoms into Google, you get bounced to sites for myths and legends, about red eyed blood drinkers and cold ones, but there was one foot note about the existence of those with golden eyes, so I accepted that my friend was a vampire and gave up looking."

She looked at me and smiled and then down and squeezed Charlie's hand before she continued: "I continued to travel a lot, but I tend to avoid Italy and when I decided it was time to settle down, I thought I'd come home to Forks . I'm a nature lover so I do a lot of hiking. It's also been a hobby of mine to keep track of indigenous predator species in the Pacific North West for a friend of mine at UDUB... such as Mountain Lions. And you know a funny thing, every time I get wind of an area with an overpopulation problem, it miraculously resolves itself. I once even found a carcass that a coyote had unearthed it couldn't have been dead more than half a day." Up until this point she had been looking at her hands, but suddenly her head came up and she looked directly at me before she spoke again, "And guess what I found, there was a perfect set of human teeth marks over the site of the cariotid artery, and not a drop of blood anywhere else, including in the carcass, it was pristine. So I skinned and preserved the hide for you Edward, I thought that you might like it." Bella jerked at my side, Carol sighed. "Sorry Bella, that last part was just a guess, your eyes were so big when I was talking about the cats and you were looking at Edward. I'm curious though are you guys even aware how very graceful you are in public. Especially you Edward, of all of your family, you really move like a panther or a mountain lion. But look everyone I've never told anyone anything and I never plan on it." At this point she shuddered and you could tell she was holding back her tears who could blame her with two vampires staring her down. I'm sure it was very unnerving but she finished in a whisper. "I'm just glad to know that my friend is still a good person."

BPOV

Edward and Carlisle both appeared to be in shock. Neither of them were even breathing and they stood there catatonic looking at each other. Carlisle finally started breathing again but still looked catatonic. I stood up to face them, "Guys calm down its okay, Carol has known for years about vampires and the Volturi never found out. It'll be the same with my Dad so it's okay, relax."

Carlisle broke out of it first and smiled at me like I was very naive. Maybe I was cause now I was starting to breath heavily under his look. "Bella, I wish it were that simple. You see, our family is very large for vampires our size rivals the Volturi and we have many gifted members. And with the babies on the way if they were to find out it would just be one more reason for them to be envious. Aro has been jealous of us for a long time, and has coveted Edward and Alice's gifts. He wants them to be part of the guard. He knows that they will never join of their own free will so he would use any excuse he can to force them."

I tried not to look panicked and was sure I failed but I crossed my arms over my chest and did my best glower. "Over my dead body! He is not touching my family! We will work this out together just like this family always does. And we'll just have to be prepared in case they try anything."

Edward reached out and stroked my cheek he took one of my hands in his and smiled. "You are so strong and brave. But Carlisle is right the Volturi are lethal when it comes to defending the secret of our world. But your idea has merit. Carlisle the last time we met with the Irish and some of the Nomads we discussed the possibly of developing an alliance for our mutual benefit. Since more and more gifted vampires seem to have been created in this last century, and with most of them not under Aro's control he has become more paranoid. He has sought to entice away those gifted members of other covens, or outright destroyed them on one pretext or another. Is it perhaps the time for us to join forces? We would have to tell them about the babies and even about our connection. But I think it would be wise to be prepared ahead of time don't you? Remember Benjamin and Tia still haven't located Kebi. They believe the Volturi have her and are using her to threaten Amun in order to get him to spy for them."

Carlisle looked at his son and at Charlie. Then he walked over to me and took my other hand, and turned to my Dad. "Charlie, we are very lucky to have such intelligent and wise children." He pulled out his phone and said: "You're right Edward now is the time. But I don't want us to be the aggressors, I will not have us challenge the Volturi and they can't know what we're doing. I'll start contacting our friends but any meetings will have to be discrete."

I couldn't believe how a family that prides itself on staying up to date no matter the decade or century could forget the uses of technology. "Meeting, what you are thinking, this is the cyber age, you should do this through a teleconference! Its faster, and there aren't any meetings or unusual travels to be noticed by the Volturi."

Carlisle did that little bow thing that he sometimes does, towards me. "Bella, we may have to meet with some of our more technologically challenged friends like the Amazons and Alastair."

"Why not just ask the local geeky vampires to meet with non geeks and then the groups will still be small enough that they shouldn't draw the attention of the Volturi. Then everyone can teleconference, state their piece at the same time, without anyone travelling all over the world to meet with individuals that might be noticed. And have it take way too much time."

Edward at first glared at me, then smiled that lop sided grin, "Bella, you've been spending far too much time with Jasper. But she right, it's a good idea Carlisle."

Out of nowhere Charlie spoke up. "Okay now that that's out of the way what's for lunch?" We all turned our heads to look at him. Leave it to my Dad to break up the earth shattering discussion. Carol looked at him aghast and opened a huge bag from which she pulled out a spinach salad, fresh fruit cup, grilled salmon and fresh baked whole wheat bread. Charlie just huffed and asked: "Is there any steak or fries in there Mary Poppins?"

"Very funny, if you and I are going to be spending any time together, I want it to be for a long time so your diet has to change, right Dr. Cullen?"

I laughed and Carlisle nodded his head in agreement, Charlie sighed but tucked into the meal like it was his first and last. He caught me staring and said: "What? They've been starving me for days here. Dr. C. over there only just approved solid food last evening. And what did I get mashed potatoes, congealed gravy with a meat surprise! Yuck, it was awful. So I begged to be allowed to have Carol bring me food from the diner. However it seems she can cook and has her own ideas about what I can and can't eat. Hell, she even has the backing of my doctor who doesn't even understand the joy of eating a well grilled steak!"

I shook my head at him, "Oh Dad, they like steak, it's just that they like it raw and wriggling."

Edward's burst out laughing at me and giving me squeeze. "Did you just quote Golem from Lord of the Rings?"

"Well yeah, but it seemed appropriate".

ChPOV

It was nice to be in the know and have a lot my suspicions confirmed. But it was really nice to feel like I was part of what was going on with the Cullen's, after all we were family. "Okay guys lots of stuff going, but our most immediate concern seems to be a dog, no offense meant Leah."

Leah smirked. "None taken Chief."

"So as I understand it, after the fight at my place, Jacob got away and ran. Billy told me before he left for Scotland that Jake was in Seattle for a time. He thought he was in touch with a man named Arthur Rask. Now Rask is a person of interest in a lot of scams throughout the southwest, involving real estate deals and the first nations. The guy is dirty, but he's careful to make it look like the tribe's screw themselves with miss management, internal fraud and theft. And to save face, the tribes want to handle things like that internally and are too embarrassed to involve outside authorities that could investigate Rask more thoroughly."

I finished my salmon and patted my belly it was my good fortune to find a woman who was a looker and a fine cook. I wonder what else she's good at. Edward was looking at me like he was in pain...oh hell, mind reader I almost forgot so I chuckled at his expense. He rolled his eyes and glared at me, serves the boy right getting my baby pregnant. "Anyway Rask relocated to Seattle two years ago when things got a little hot for him in Texas and I don't mean the weather. Recently he approached the Quileute about a bid for infrastructure improvement projects but he's in competition with a pretty high powered non profit outfit called NorthWest Trust."

Carlisle didn't even flinch nor did Edward but my daughter gasped. I had them again! "Funny though no one seems to know who the benefactors of the Trust are. The firm of Jason Jenks in Seattle manages the fund but he's very close mouthed about who he reports to. Rachel Black is under the impression that the Cullen's are the bankroll behind the trust, and by the look on Bella's face I guess she's right. Bella honey a word of avice to you, don't ever play cards with these guys they'd... pardon the expression... suck you dry, you have no poker face."

Bella gave me the stink eye and leaned into Edward. It looked good and natural they made a handsome couple and I could finally see how much they loved each other. But I'd still like to know where that boy's head had been when he left Bella. Hmmh maybe the same place mine was up his ass. "Where was I, oh yeah, the tribe still hasn't decided who they should go with. There's a lot of money and jobs at stake but they don't have anyone local that can advise them so things are moving slowly. Rachel says that the Trust's proposal will take longer for the tribe to see the overall benefits but there will be more long term jobs solutions to age old problems. Like supporting small business owners to expand and improve their businesses. As well as providing educational opportunities, in fields that will help the tribe in the long term. There are incentives to maintain and nurture the tribe's cultural heritage as a living museum. And developing a nature preserve, for nature buffs, research and conservation groups interested in studying and protecting the indigenous species of the area. There have even been discussions between the trust and the University of Washington about developing a satellite campus in Forks devoted to natural studies including Oceanography." This was a part of who the Cullen's are that Bella had tried to tell me about before, and after Edward had left. But I had my own agenda, how could I have been so stupid! I could've driven Bella away. Edward was looking at me shaking his head no. So I assumed he'd picked up on my thoughts and the head shake meant I would never have lost Bells. But he wasn't here to see how far I'd pushed her. I was damn lucky she had forgiven me. You could say BONE HEAD Swan. I was going to have to do all that I could to keep Black away or get rid of him.

Carlisle and Edward had both taken a seat it looked like they were formulating plans, these Cullen's kept their cards very close to the chest so I continued: "Rask's proposal guarantees immediate jobs and money coming to the tribe within the first year but that's based on construction jobs for onsite projects for a limited time. Then a number of service jobs should become available after the development of high end holiday condos and a resort. It's attractive in the short term, but the environmental impact analysis looks questionable and there are no long term guarantees. Novelty vacation spots for the rich fall out of favour all the time. But the tribe is losing young people and families to the cities to find jobs all the time so they feel they need to have the money now. To them it's the fast fix, which is not the best long term choice. The jobs that will be created by Rask's scheme will not be much better than minimum wage service jobs so there's nothing to improve the tribe's standard of living or promote growth. My guess is Jacob wants to assert his claim as hereditary Chief so he can dissolve the council and ratify Rask's proposal unilaterally."

Charlie took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "And I'm sorry Bells, honey, but the word is he's doing this because he wants money to impress you. He's got it in his head that money is the only reason that you're with Edward. He even told me that once. But if he finds out about the babies, well ...Edward, Carlisle, you can't ever let that happen. I'm afraid of what he'd do to Bella and the babies."

Edward wrapped his arms around my daughter and she looked like she was on the verge of tears as she cradled her baby bump and he kissed the top of her head. "He will never touch you again Bella, I promise I will kill him if he tries."

Good he has his priorities in order. I understand now what I should have seen all along that Edward would do anything for Bella. I knew there was a reason I liked that boy ...no that's wrong he's a man with a family and he will do anything to defend that family! I had to avoid smiling at him so I chastised myself internally watch it Swan you're the father-in-law, you're supposed to inspire fear in the man that steals your daughter out from under your very nose. Yeah you can do this Swan make him squirm... you will not smile. But damn she loves him so much, and he loves her just as much, and I'm going to be the grandfather of three beautiful babies. But couldn't he have waited before he...no definitely don't want to think about how those babies were made. I shuddered, Edward was looking at me and chuckling then he winked that cheeky bugger damn it I have to talk to Alice there must be a way to keep him from hearing my thoughts!

I shook my head at Edward and turned to ask Carlisle, "I assume you can take this information and look into what can be done? You obviously have better resources than the bedridden Police Chief of Forks Washington."

Carlisle shook his head and chuckled. "I'm not so sure about that Chief but I'll see what I can do."

"Okay! Now let's talk about my grandbabies?" Bella's face lit up, and then she and Edward shared everything they knew. Leah and Carol were laughing at the look on my face when I found out the pregnancy would only last four to five weeks and that Edward could hear the babies.

Carol asked if we had thought of names yet, Bella looked at Edward and he nodded, "We were going to tell the family and pack tonight anyway." Bella smiled, "We want to honour all the grandparents. So we're using the names from my parents, and Edwards human and vampire parents."

Just at this moment Esme came through the doors she smiled shrugged her shoulders then said "Alice." like that was the answer to a question. Bella went to her and gave her a hug. Carlisle was beaming like a Cheshire cat and I must have been as well. Edward came over and put his cool hand on my shoulder, and Bella continued: "Well one of the boys names will be Anthony Carlisle and the other will be Masen Charles, and our daughter will be Elizabeth Esme Renee." I think if Esme could cry she would have, and Carlisle was definitely choked up. And damn it all to hell if I didn't have a tear slide down my cheek.

The room was silent but comfortable. We were surrounded by the love of family. That silence was finally broken when Bella grabbed her belly and squealed. Edward chuckled and rubbed her bump. I looked at Edward and he seemed to be listening for something. "It would seem the babies approve. Anthony says he will be born first and Masen will come last so he doesn't want us messing up and giving him the wrong name and Elizabeth would like to be called Beth."

I reached for Bella's hand and gave it a squeeze "Bella honey, you're looking kind of tired and I can't imagine its very comfortable sitting on hospital furniture so why don't you go home and get some rest."

I looked over by the door where Leah was standing and smiling shyly. "And by the way Leah, not that I don't love seeing you girl but what the hell are you doing here anyway?" She gave me the stink eye. "I'm the security detail for the head vamp here and you Chief. One of us from the pack will always be here while you and or Carlisle are here. Safety in numbers."

"Should I have Carol bring my gun, you guys did save my guns from the fire. Please say yes!" Bella rolled her eyes and nodded yes.

Leah smiled and shook her head no. "Yeah I guess my service piece wouldn't do much damage to you supernatural creatures."

"No Chief, it wouldn't hurt the vamps at all. It would hurt like a son of a bitch if you hit one of us wolves, but it would take a lot of fire power to put one us down."

Carol indicated it was time for me lay back in bed, take a pain pill and have a nap. Bella and Edward said good-bye and left with Esme. Carlisle said he'd see me before he left for the day. Leah said she'd be around and just call out if I needed anything she'd hear me. Carol settled down on the couch with a book. I closed my eyes comfortable in the knowledge that Carol was going to be a part of my life for a long time and that my daughter was happier than I had ever seen her.

JakePOV

"Hah Cullen you are going down and sooner than you can imagine." Paul was still insecure enough that he could lose Rachel if he didn't have either money or power to impress her. Just like Bella that's what a women wanted. Their hearts always went to the highest bidder.

But I had something going for me that the leech didn't. Bella was my imprint a connection she wouldn't be able to deny once I got her into my bed and heavy with my child. She would be mine! And with Paul living on the leech's property it would be that much easier to get to her. If Paul thinks he could just walk away from me he was so wrong! I knew his Achilles heel. After all he wasn't much of man when he stood by and let me beat that bitch Rachel for talking back to me.

I knew the leeches and pack were having me watched. That bastard Sam had turned the rest of the pack against me. And something else had changed within the council but no one was talking, even Old Quil was pretty tight lipped. My wonderfully supportive father had flown the coup, and no one seemed to know where he went! When I tried to assume his position on the council I was denied because of my age. Then I was told that I couldn't hold a council position while I was making a claim for the position of Chief. It looked like Sam Uley had been given my father's place on the council because it was still in dispute as to who was the true Alpha despite the fact Uley had stolen most of my pack. Stupid fucking rules, well things would change once I was in as Chief.

I didn't understand why Bella wasn't answering her cell phone. I'd been calling and texting a few times everyday. She would see it was me calling so why wasn't the bitch answering! I knew the leeches had torched her house so they could keep her with them. Their stench was all over the site and it smelled like Bella had been with them probably as a punishment, to make her afraid of coming to me. But there had been something off about her scent, something a little too sweet, not like their stench but it was close. But she wasn't one of them of that I was sure Rachel had at least confirmed that before she ran away.

Christ where's my head, my phone was ringing where did I leave the damn thing? Maybe it's Bella! There it was under my bed next to my best friend, Jack Daniels. Damn the bottle's empty strange I didn't remember drinking that? What did I ...what was I ...Oh yeah phone, huh 4 messages and all from that fucking Rask. God could that man not understand that I was busy getting my woman back! I dialled him back, "Yeah it's Jake. I know, I know but the council won't budge!"

"WOW! I can do that? You're sure I can just take over? The treaty and confederation bylaws don't prohibit it? Great when can you get down here? I want Uley out of here and the council dissolved right away. Yeah I'll sign your damn contracts the same day it happens. Great see you next week!" I decided to text Bella and let her know I would be a millionaire soon, that would bring her running to me!

JasPOV

Edward had brought me Bella's phone after she went to lay down for her nap, "I don't know why I kept it but it's been vibrating for days almost every hour. I know it's him! I've got to get her a new phone. She gave it to me because she can hear it vibrate and it's freaking her out."

I took the phone from his hand. "What do you want me to do with it man?"

"Can you just check the messages? I just can't deal with it right now, maybe he'll slip up and give us some information we can use."

Edward was a mess, I know he's worried about Bella and how she kind of likes to sacrifice herself at times. But I'm hoping now she's pregnant she will have misplaced that piece of her brain. "Edward, from everything I hear, that dog is certifiable! God, he beat up his own sister and has threatened her mate with further beatings if he doesn't help him. Paul is scared and I don't trust him when he thinks Rachel's safety is on the line. Hell, I'm surprised he told us that Black wants to use him to spy on us, but I still don't trust him."

I flipped open the phone and went to the mail box "Holy shit, Edward, there over two hundred voice mails and as many texts. Just get rid of the damn thing and get her a new phone."

Edward gave me the eye, he was pulling on his hair so hard I was waiting for him to start pulling it out. "I will but there just hasn't been the time."

"Okay bro I got it, I'll go through them and let you know what I find. In the mean time I'll call Alice and get her to pick up a Phone while she's out. And you go take care of Bella and the babies okay? Hey, big day tomorrow, that was smart moving the wedding up in case it got leaked at the Rez. But I don't understand how humans do it. How do they maintain any kind of security. Look at how much information Charlie was able to get laying in a hospital bed, this town's grapevine is freaky." Edward just nodded and wandered off upstairs.

Every message contained the same theme, "Your mine, blah, blah, blah", not even original or remotely romantic, it was really sick. I was ready to just pitch the phone but this was for Bella as much as for Edward, and she was family. Finally in the last text the idiot crows: "I'll be a millionaire soon and will be bringing you home to my bed and make you mine like we'd always wanted." If I show this to Edward he will go ballistic. This prick needed to be put down. The twisted fuck! So I went to Carlisle instead. He'd come home shortly after Bella and Edward, with Leah in tow. Seth and Emmett were now with Charlie.

When I reached Carlisle's office Edward was already sitting there of course. I passed the phone over to him and he passed it to Carlisle.

I raised my eyebrow at him "When you're pissed, Jazz, you don't block your thoughts very well."

I took the seat next to Edward and pointed at the phone. "The guy is unstable and that makes him dangerous, Edward, because he's unpredictable."

Edward spoke in a deadly low voice. "Yeah, but he's also obsessed and has only two goals becoming Chief and getting to my mate."

"Edward, I think he's going to come after Bella soon, just like he said. I'm concerned with so many people from the Rez coming to the wedding tomorrow, he might follow someone and crash the wedding. It could get ugly. Even if there are enough of us to stop him here. It's still going to be dicey and like I said he's unpredictable. Have you guys considered just postponing the wedding till all this is over?"

Bella came storming into the room, walked over to Edward crawled onto his lap and kissed him chastely on the lips, then she turned to face me, "I heard Jasper! I don't know how but I heard you. And I will not postpone my wedding, I want to marry Edward. I don't want to wait any longer!"

I suddenly had stroke of genius, "Carlisle, do you think the judge would marry them tonight? We can protect Bella upstairs and use the party tomorrow as a ruse and maybe trap him or at least find out if anyone is helping him."

Edward got really pissy looking and started a low growl. "Edward, don't look at me like I'm serving Bella up on a cracker, but it's easier to protect her here than out on a mountain top with just you as back up."

Bell press her forehead to his, "Edward, he's right and I'd feel safer being close to the family and our friends."

Bella grimaced then startled a little, she grabbed Edward's hand placing it on her belly which was again noticeably larger than this morning. He instantly smiled, she motioned for Carlisle and I to come over as well. When I touched her belly I felt it move under my hand. It was one of the most illuminating things that had ever happened to me. This was life, this was what we were protecting, a future in which we would all play a part and it was amazing. All three of us Cullen men were grinning like idiots as the triplets bounced around in Bella's womb.

"Okay guys, you can let go now the babies need to stop jumping on my bladder. What are they thinking Edward?"

EPOV

I loved listening to my children, and they loved it when we all talked to them. Beth was the most excited right now. Alice had been talking about fashion and wedding dresses so she wanted mama to take lots of pictures. Anthony and Masen wanted to know about the music. Who was going to play since I couldn't, was anyone going to sing...the singing kind of caught me off guard. We could all sing but I guess the best singers in the family would be Carlisle, Rose, Jasper and me.

The babies loved it when I would take the time to play my piano for Bella and they hoped I'd teach them. I told the others what they were thinking and Bella leaned over her belly. "Beth, you do know that you are my daughter and that I love you unconditionally. But I'm not a fashionista or a shopper. So you will have to rely on your Aunt Alice for a designer's education."

Jasper sat up and chuckled "Oh Bella, do not tell Alice that or you will never see your daughter again once she is born."

Carlisle laughed and leaned forward to kiss Bella on the forehead, "Bella, you are such a blessing to this family in so many ways."

I sat back while the others chuckled away. It had dawned on me I was going to be the father of three children, three rapidly maturing children that were going to need a basic education. That this family was going to have to provide. I would need to devise a curriculum and soon.

I felt Bella slapping my face, "Edward, Edward honey... Carlisle is he okay? Oh god, I know that look he's over thinking something and I bet it's to do with the babies. Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, snap out it right now and tell me what the problem is."

I turned to Bella and grabbed her shoulders and in a panicked voice said: "Bella, we will have to educate our children, they won't be able to attend regular school. I have to devise a plan to provide them with a well rounded education and prepare them for both the human and supernatural worlds. They will have to pass state requirements and we'll have to submit documentation to support a home schooling program, it's an enormous responsibility." Bella looked at me with her big doe eyes, smiled and kissed me gently on the lips. Unfortunately my inner father was struggling with the horny 17 year for domination.

Carlisle said he'd call the Judge and the wedding would take place this evening so he suggested that we go and relax. Then we would all discuss the babies' education after the wedding. The teenager had now totally taken possession of me. I scooped her up and ran for our room. Bella giggled all the way and she kept kissing my jaw, she was such a tease and she was going to pay for it once I got the door locked.

"Edward, this is how we need to be right now, we don't need to worry about things we can't control. There will be nothing to worry about. I'm sure before we know it, the family will have all become certified teachers and will probably build a school room."

Then the inner father was beating the inner 17 year old again. "Bella, all of us are certified teachers in one state or another and Esme has co-authored the home school curriculum for middle school and high school, in this state and five other states as well as in parts of Canada."

Bella put her hands on either side of my face. "Edward, just focus on me remember! Me and you naked in bed. You can't keep changing personalities on me like that, so stop it now, PLEASE!"

Ah the magic word and the teenager was back in the game bitch slapping the father out of the way...okay I was back. I laid her gently back on the bed, then I stripped and dove onto the bed with my beautiful, giggly soon to be wife and carefully but slowly peeled her clothing off piece by piece. Bella's body was like a drug to me there wasn't an inch of skin I didn't know and there wasn't a sound or movement that she could make that I wasn't intimately familiar with. She reached up and crashed her lips to mine and I was lost in her body. It was so much fun and we might never get out this bed again. This woman would definitely be the death of me.