Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, but not Merged Souls

Authors Note: Thanks again P.

Chapter 12

EPOV

It had been many weeks since Bella's transformation she's anxious to be normal and in control, as she says. That was why we kept challenging her by getting her closer and closer to humans. I was so proud of her. Her control rivaled Carlisle's. Visiting with Charlie should be a piece of cake for Bella, well maybe not quite that easy. In fact we hadn't gone to see him at all. Thus my infamously nosy father-in-law decided to rectify that problem. That day the babies had decided to all wake up at the same time. Which is fine for parents that don't sleep, but having them sleeping in the same room that Bella and I shared was going to be an issue before too long? Their presence had seriously cut into my personal time with my wife.

Bella went to prepare their breakfast, since we had started offering them human food. She had taken over preparing their food, but the rest of us still handled it when it was time for blood. This morning I had diaper duty, not exactly my favourite but it beat preparing human food for my offspring. According to Bella and Esme I did not make age appropriate choices for my offspring when it came to human food. Apparently babies shouldn't be eating ham and cheese omelets, instead they insisted that my children were to be subjected to oatmeal cereal, which looked and smelled absolutely disgusting.

I was at the changing table with Masen and I let my mind wander while I changed his diaper. Better that then to really take in what this chore was all about. Still it never ceased to amaze me the amount and frequency of waste that the triplets managed to produce, relative to their size. I couldn't wait until they were potty trained. In fact Emmett was researching the accepted methods of potty training as soon as he found out that it was a learned behaviour and not instinctual. Having found the prescribed method with the highest success rate, he had purchased five hundred pounds of M&M candies. Bella deemed it overkill, plus I had faith that my children would not require a bribe to use the potty. However Bella had rolled her eyes when I had made that assertion. But I could hope right?

I had Beth and Masen changed and ready to go down stairs. Anthony was another matter, he liked to make changing time into a game and spend a great deal of the time trying to roll away from me. But today was new and different. I swore that he took aim and peed all over my chinos. Just as I finally had him taken care of and had cleaned up myself, there was a resounding crash from downstairs. Have I mentioned that the Chief's mind is almost as closed to me as Bella's? That's why I didn't hear him enter the house. I grabbed up the babies and flew down the stairs, depositing them into the equally startled arms of my sister Rose. I entered the kitchen to find Charlie standing behind the breakfast island, with his hands outstretched and fishing equipment scattered helter skelter about the floor.

Bella was in her hunting crouch, facing Charlie with her back to me. Esme's imported, Brazilian granite counter top that had once graced the breakfast island was cracked into three pieces. And for some reason oatmeal was dripping from the ceiling. In hopes of lowering the tension in the room and to prevent my wife from snacking on her father I called for Jasper's assistance. He immediately appeared with Emmett, Esme and Alice as back up and began to push out calm to Bella. "Hey there Charlie, my guess is you're going fishing?"

Charlie looked at me like I was nuts, but quickly composed himself. "Yeah, thought I'd just drop by and see if anyone wanted to join in, it's been a while and to tell the truth I'm getting cabin fever. Also, I was hoping for some of Esme's coffee and muffins, they're the best in the county, but don't tell Carol I said that."

Bella was still in her crouch but she had stopped growling. I walked to her side and touched her back. She turned to look at me and straightened up, hid her face in her hands and fled the room, with Alice in close pursuit.

"A warning would have been nice Chief." Esme looked at her island, sighed, but went about setting out muffins and making coffee. "Sit down Charlie, the coffee will be ready shortly. How are you and Carol managing in the cottage? I've been meaning to drop by but things have been rather busy."

Charlie sat at the kitchen table and glared at me. "Yeah, well it would be nice to have access to my own daughter and grandchildren other than through face book and Skype. Edward, you said she was handling the change really well and that human blood didn't seem to be an issue! So what the hell was that all about?"

I sat down beside him and was joined by the rest of the family. "It's true that Bella has taken to this life really well and she has been able to handle being in relatively close proximity to humans. But Charlie that was under controlled circumstances. She was always outside and knowing that she was going to be exposed to their scent and with at least two of us at her side. You walked in on her when she was alone, unaware, and in a confined space that concentrated your scent. I thought we had agreed to take this slow Charlie?"

The Chief looked downcast. "Oh hell, Edward, I'm bored out of mind, and with Carol working part time at the clinic I'm lonely. I miss my daughter and I want to get to know my grandkids while they're still kids."

I smiled at him, "Well I think we can rectify one of those issues right now. Rose, you can bring them in now." Rose had being waiting just around the corner with the babies. They were curious but not hungry. And they were very happy that they wouldn't have to eat oatmeal today...note to self, talk to Bella about variety in the breakfast menu.

Rose came into the room and as I took Beth out of her arms Charlie gasped. He automatically rose and reached for Beth, "Oh my god, she looks just like Bella did as a baby." Beth looked up at him and gave him the most stunning smile, he in turn grinned back, extending his arms to grasp her. He looked at me and nodded at her, "May I?" I relinquished my daughter into his arms and it was official, he was going to be putty in her hands. The boys then started to squirm wanting down. Rose checked the floor looking at the debris from the island and the aborted oatmeal and shook her head no but offered an alternative. "Charlie, why don't we move into the great room where you can have your coffee and share the muffins with the babies, since oatmeal looks like a no go for this morning."

I needed to go check on Bella so as Charlie settled onto the couch surrounded by his grandchildren happily munching on Esme's banana muffins, "Charlie, I need to go check on Bella and hopefully we'll both be back soon." I knew Bella had escaped outside. I found her, with Alice, sitting in our meadow sobbing into her hands.

Alice smiled and got up to leave, as she passed me silently said. 'She'll be okay, just let her talk it out. Then she'll be ready to come back. Everything will be fine, Edward, she was never even close to attacking Charlie, just startled.' I thanked her with a peck on the cheek and went to sit by my bride. I sat down with my Bella and pulled her into my side "Bella you..."

"I know Edward, Alice told me I would never have attacked him. It's just scary, having that kind of automatic reaction to my Dad. I expected it with other humans but I guess never thought it would be the same with my Dad. He must hate me!"

"Actually Love, he's sitting in the great room eating muffins and getting to know the kids. He was surprised with your reaction but I don't think he ever felt threatened by you. That must be where you got your fearlessness from."

Bella took a deep breath and gave me a half smile "Yeah? But with me it's probably a combination of Charlie's fearlessness and Renee's cluelessness."

I chuckled, but I felt like needed to defend Renee, "Renee isn't clueless hon, she's just adventurous. Are you ready to go back and get reacquaint yourself with your Dad?" She took my hand and nodded. We raced back to the house and through the back door and then slowed to a human walk once we entered the house. Bella came to a sudden halt. When I looked down at her she had a huge grin on her face and pure love in her eyes for the scene before us.

Charlie was seated on the couch and the babies were literally crawling all over him, exploring every one of his pockets. He was having the time of his life then Bella spoke up: "Dad, that better not be toffee you're hiding in your pockets. I remember you used to play that game with me and Mom would be livid...It's bad for their teeth and you know it."

Charlie chuckled without looking up. "Oh relax Bells I'm sure Edward will have them on the best dental plan in the country." Note to self discuss with Carlisle the need for routine dental care.

The visit went on without a hitch. Charlie was mesmerized by the triplets and he mentioned that Masen was just like me and yet Anthony was as well. And he thought it was freaky that our children looked so much like us. Then he wondered that once they had matured if would we have to pass for triplets and twins when in public? I wished Charlie would stop putting all these thoughts into my head. To be honest I hadn't considered that. Would they look more human than me and Bella? Would they look older than us? I can promise you one thing I was not going to play the younger brother to my own children.

Jasper decided that he would go fishing with Charlie and they'd drop by to see if the off duty wolves might like to tag along. Charlie never mentioned how different Bella appeared and he wasn't put off by her reddish amber eyes. He was a little hesitant about hugging her but when she stepped forward he gladly gave her a hearty two armed hug. Before he left he lamented to Bella how he missed her cooking. Carol was a Cracker Jack cook but she was into low fat, low cholesterol and he wanted some comfort food. Like Grandma Swan's Stroganoff. Bella said she'd make him some soon. Esme looked at me and raised her eyebrow. The rest of the day was quiet and easy, the babies were content to crawl anywhere and everywhere on the first floor exploring, with one of the family following close behind. Emmett and I had cleaned up and removed he granite from the kitchen. Esme had already located a local supplier that had just what she needed for a replacement. She gave him the measurements and assured him three times that she knew what she was doing. Then she offered him double the money, if he would first: stop questioning her skill with a tape measure and second: have it delivered by dinner time the next day.

Bella felt awful and insisted that she pay for it. Esme agreed, but I thought Bella was going to pass out when she found out how much it would cost. I had to chuckle we'd had the finance talk before, but I hadn't had a chance to review her own portfolio and personal accounts with her, prior to her change. If the truth be known I had set them up before I left Bella with the intent that she would never have to do without, even if I wasn't there. I handed Esme my black card and gathered my luscious wife into my arms then went in search of our offspring. The triplets were asleep in Rose and Emmett's room under their watchful eyes. Emmett smiled at Bella then looked at me. "Dude, I finally get it, why you loved to watch Bells sleep." I nodded and we mouthed our thanks leaving them to walk up to our room.

I finally had to admit that Bella had been right all along. She was meant for this life, and as a result I was able to show her the depth of my love and passion. We could finally kiss in the way I had always wanted, without restraint, just passion and need. Whenever we came together it was explosive, like live wires coming in contact. There was always a sizzle we could feel as tongues touched and hands explored and stroked. When our bodies entwined and her scent was enfolding me it was more than I had ever hoped to find in a mate. I know it sounds foolish but it was magical. Bella held nothing back and I could now please her in ways I had never dreamed would be possible. The possibilities were limitless, now that she was more durable. My wife was a sensual, loving and passionate woman. When it was just us, alone, all I wanted was: to bury myself between her legs. But as fantastic as our physical relationship was, I was just as mesmerized by her mind. She was bright, funny, stubborn and opinionated, and she doesn't let me get away with anything. It has opened a whole new world for me. Since I can't read Bella's mind I have to look for other clues, like any other man, as to what is going on in her head. Even Jasper won't help me figure out her moods. One afternoon, I had apparently said something that pissed her off so I approached Jasper and said: "Thanks for the warning!" He laughed and put his hand on my shoulder, "Welcome to the club, Edward. Finally you don't have the advantage of mind reading to get you out of trouble."

Today Bella was pouring over a cookbook she wanted to practice cooking again. Bella wanted to have Charlie and Carol to dinner and before too long the triplets would be starting on solid food so she wanted to be able to cook for them. Like the rest of us, she found the smell of human food distasteful. Without being able to rely on her human senses, she had planned on using the wolves as her lab rats, to help her find the perfect recipes. Then Emmett pointed out to her. "Bella, the wolves hardly have discerning palates you know they'll eat anything!"

She, literally, threw the book at him and came huffing into the great room, throwing herself onto my lap. "What am I going to do? I'm their mother and I won't even be able to cook for them! How do you an Esme manage to do it?" Esme looked up from her Architectural Digest smiled then said: "Food Network!" And then went back to reading.

I chuckled. Bella arched her eyebrow at me then frowned. "Food Network, that's it?"

I continued to chuckle and nodded: "The secret is to follow the recipe exactly as they show you, do not diverge and do not get creative. You have the visuals of what the ingredients should look like in the different stages of preparation. So you have to rely on your eye not your nose or taste buds. Then feed it to the wolves and if they don't get sick you have a winner! She crossed her arms and grimaced, then slapped my hand away when I reached to squeeze her shoulder. "Thanks a lot for the insight buster."

Esme reached over and patted her hand. "Sorry Bella, he's right though, that's all you can do and so far we're both batting a thousand. You and Charlie always loved anything we cooked, but we're not good at experimenting. Once, I did manage a vege tray without Food Network."

I had created a monster. Bella spent the next thirty six hours watching the Food Network and cooking when she wasn't caring for the babies. My cock was so hard it was about to burst, and all she wanted from me was to run to the grocery store for her. Once the cooking marathon was over and every pot, pan and Tupperware dish had been used and abused. She collapsed beside me in bed. The babies were down for the night and she was energized from her culinary success. Satisfying not only the wolves and their imprints but Charlie and Carol as well. But her crowning triumph was the praise she got from Sue Clearwater, who was considered by most to be the best cook in La Push and Forks. Sue had dropped by, to tell us that William was taking a sabbatical from UDUB, and had stayed for dinner. William had been planning on spending his time off in the South West, but he was willing to take some of that time to come to Forks, and work with Rose and me. He felt we would be done in short order, because of our natural gift for languages and our ability to process information on multiple levels. Coupled with the fact that we didn't have to sleep it should only be a matter of a few days before we would be able to continue to work on our own. But he would be available through Skype once he'd left. It seemed like a crash course for something so complex. But William was only thirty and he didn't want to spend too much time with us, and risk triggering the wolf gene. He had absolutely no desire to join the pack. Ever!

Bella was lying on the bed beside me looking totally sexy. I was trying to concentrate on my book, so that I wouldn't look at her, because I didn't think I would be able to stop from jumping her. She was so proud of herself and went on and on about the dishes she had prepared and served, and the ones she had frozen. She wanted to try her hand at canning and preserving. Esme told her she'd have to do that in the wolf's quarters. She had tried it once a few years ago and it had taken weeks to get the stench out of the house. While Bella talked she was chewing her luscious lower lip. My eyes strayed from my book and became glued to that lip. I wanted it...it was mine and if anyone was going to chew on it, it should be me! I was losing perspective and control. The gentleman in me was telling me to listen to Bella. The 17 year old was comatose and ogling Bella's lips and the vampire mate said: take her! Finally I was so hard I couldn't stand it any longer, and I crashed my lips into hers. She didn't respond. My mind drifted back to the time when Carlisle had explained that there would be times when I would upset Bella and never know why. Had I just done that now, should I back off now and apologize or wait? I decided to wait with my lips still glued to hers. I slipped my tongue out and licked her lower lip tentatively, that until recently she had been mauling. Suddenly she opened her mouth to me and our tongues clashed together and all rational thought left me. I kicked the gentleman to the curb, ignored the 17 year old and unleashed the vampire! And by doing that I had awakened a primal need in my mate.

Bella had us naked in seconds and I buried my cock to the hilt in her warm moist depths. Then let loose a cry of possession and of fulfillment as I acknowledged for the entire world that she is: "MINE." I had lost myself in Bella, but eventually real life intruded. I could hear the babies stirring. Bella was lounging at my side, both of enjoying our post coital bliss. I rose to tend to them but she pulled me back. "Grandma and Grandpa are going to take them this morning. To give us some time alone. I arranged it with them before I came to bed. Edward, you are an amazingly patient man, and I'm so lucky to have you. But why you put up with all those hours of me cooking is beyond me, you must be a saint. I'm truly sorry for neglecting you my love."

WOW what do I do now! I have to get this right. Do I say I'm sorry too? I guess it couldn't hurt. "No Bella, I'm sorry if I gave you the impression that you were neglecting me." That was a rather neutral statement, so I went for the brownie points. "I'm really very proud of you and how you threw yourself into this, and everything you accomplished." Bingo! Carlisle is a wise man, I have just discovered he was right that by not trying to figure my wife out I would be rewarded...it makes absolutely no sense but who the hell cares. I'm getting a blow job! After Bella had sucked my brains out through my dick, we showered together. There was no sex just languid sudsy stroking. We were lost in our own thoughts, and all I could think of was: perhaps I had to become a vampire in order to find Bella and to fulfill some cosmic purpose. She has always said we were meant to be together that it was our destiny, and the Pixie agreed.

I did know that I had been blessed in so many ways even before I met Bella. Ways, that until now, I had never acknowledged. My blessings included not just Bella and my children, but my vampire family who have loved and supported me through all those desolate years of my searching and not knowing what I was looking for. They had always believed in me and accepted the man I was. And then there are the other additions to our family, human and wolf that have only enriched our lives they are the links between worlds. Some will be permanent and some will eventually perish or move on. But all of them are vital and important to me and my family. For the first time in my existence I felt whole. It was this goddess standing beside that I had to thank for all that. She had ignited a fire in me that goes beyond the sexual and sensual, she awakened a whole new way of being for me. Bella had made me refocus and truly see the beauty of the world surrounding me. She was my epicentre and my compass.

The water had turned cold at some point and my angel was speaking to me, "Edward? Edward? Are you still with me," I shook my head and looked down at her wet form. "I've got a penny for your thoughts handsome?"

I turned off the shower and as we stepped out together I reached around to wrap her in a fluffy white bath sheet pinning her to my chest. "Just thinking of how lucky I am and wondering how I could ever deserve such happiness. I see things differently now Bella like blinders have been removed from my eyes and I'm seeing the world around me for the first time. I have so much to be thankful for, so many blessings. I have been given so much. Things that I coveted and things I never thought I had a right to. I am a very fortunate man and it's because of you, having you in my life. How could I have ever have thought that leaving..."

"No Edward, we're not going down that road, no more pity parties. You're not the only one who has been blessed. I have always felt out of step in my human life, like something was missing, then I found you and nothing was missing. We have been blessed with children and family and friends that love and support us. But this between you and me is beyond any of that, we were meant to be together, you just had to wait longer than I did."

I kissed her chastely on the lips. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

"Well, not in so many words. But there was a lot of writhing, groaning, and moaning going on up until a few minutes ago, so I kind of got the impression that you did! And I love you, Edward, and I will for all eternity."

I leaned into her lips and kissed her as deeply and as softly as I could to show her how I treasured her. We sat on our bed, while I brushed her hair dry, immersed in the scent and the sound of each other. Then Bella looked at me. "Edward, I would love to stay here in your arms forever but this damn thirst is killing me. Can we go find a snack of the non human variety? Then I'd really like to come back and spend some time with the babies. Maybe later we can even replay these last few hours together that is if you're up for it."

We got dressed, jumped out our window and raced through the woods. We didn't have to go far, before we came across the scent of a mountain lion. It had been a dry season, the weather had been driving them out of their natural habitat and this one was far too close to the hiking trails and Forks. Bella took off to the east as soon as she caught the scent. This would be her first true carnivore. I was torn between leading the hunt and letting her take it. But there was still the scent of humans in the area and so far Bella seemed to be ignoring it. So I followed her lead as I listened for the humans and watched her delicious ass in front of me. I had followed her for only a short distance as she tracked the big cat. Once she peeked over her shoulder at me and I had expected her to growl a warning to stay away instead she extended her hand to me and mouthed: "together". So we took down the lion together and ate in companionable silence. Our eyes never left each other. When the big cat was drained we disposed of the carcass and turned towards home running together while holding hands. Bella is still a very messy eater, the big cat's claws had shredded most of what she was wearing, but we came across a strategically placed backpack with clothes and a message tacked to the front: 'we need you both at home NOW!' Damn it, I had left my cell phone locked in my bedside drawer. Beth likes to play with it and while I can more than afford all the long distance charges she's racking up with random dialing, she has to learn that it's not a toy. Bella looked panicked. "Edward! Not the babies!" She dressed rapidly and then we flew through the forest. When we reached home the family was in the great room and the babies were playing with Esme's silver service in the middle of the floor, thank god they were fine.

We looked at Carlisle. "What is it?"

He sighed and turned to Alice. "I saw Jacob getting on a plane for the States! We just spoke with Maggie, someone called the island saying that Jacob's dad was seriously ill and that he was asking for him. Jacob eluded his caretakers that were assigned to accompany him to see Billy. It was all a ruse Edward. Jacob caught the first plane to the States, using a credit card that he stole from another guest." Bella sat down on the floor and gathered the babies to her she looked worried but not fearful. I sat beside her and took Beth onto my lap while Alice continued. "Maggie is so sorry. She said Jacob had been on such good behaviour. He was charming, and that he had actually been a model inmate. He had even earned outdoor privileges and was allowed to walk on the grounds and interact with others. Maggie and Shawn never really trusted him though. But somehow he figured out that she could tell when he was lying. She said that after a while, if he couldn't avoid her, he was careful to be vague or absolutely truthful when speaking to her. And he completely stopped talking about us or Forks." Bella started to rock back and forth staring into space, I reached out and took her hand. "Maggie was on the mainland when the call came in, the person was so insistent that Billy was dying that rather than wait for Maggie to get back with Siobhan, Liam okayed the visit. He even checked out Jacob's story after he'd left, using the contact information we gave them. The cousin was surprised that Jacob had found out." Bella raised her head and looked at Alice. "Billy is very sick his diabetes is out of control and he was hospitalized. But according to his cousin he told her that he didn't want Jacob notified. Other than the cousin Rachel and Rebecca were the only other ones that knew and they didn't want Jacob told."

"FUCK!" I couldn't help it, but no one admonished me for my language in front of the kids. Why couldn't this guy just go away and stay there! Did he have a death wish, because if he did I would be more than happy to oblige. "Alice, do you know what flight he's on, when and where he'll land? And have any of the packs had contact with him?"

Leah came into the room just then and said: "No, and that's going to be a problem. Because if he's gone rogue no one in the pack will be able to hear him when he's phased." At Carlisle's suggestion we decided to get Rachael and Paul on a plane to Isle Esme. Until this was taken care of we didn't want him to have access to any pawns that he could play with. Paul was making progress but he could still be vulnerable to manipulation by Jacob.

Leah was livid. "What the hell is wrong with them over there they have a whole island full of blood suckers and they can't keep one mutt caged."

Bella bristled and then spoke. "Leah, it's not a prison or a mental institution. People from our world go there because they have a genuine desire to overcome their base nature in order to live in this world. Like an alcoholic they've had to acknowledge that they have a problem in order to seek help. Do you think Jacob sees himself as having a problem? His needs are outside of the kind of treatment they provide."

Leah was pacing in front of the windows. "This is shit. He isn't going to change! The man is insane! Can't we just take him out this time? He's a rogue wolf, unpredictable and dangerous! In nature the pack would just eliminate him."

I stood and put my hand on her shoulders and as much as it pained me I said: "Leah, you're talking about taking a human life."

"Edward, I can't remember the last time Jacob acted like a human. You know what he wants and when he gets here and sees Bella what do you think he's going to try and do... come on man, he'll try to kill you and the babies." She leaned away from me and looked down at Bella. "Bella, you know we can't let him live."

Bella looked lost and a little freaked, she stood up and walk to me and I pulled her back against my chest. She looked at Carlisle, Esme and the rest of the family. "Why is it my decision?"

Leah sighed. "You may not remember this Bella, but Jacob is your best friend."

Bella calmed down then and looked at Leah. "I haven't forgotten a thing Leah. You're wrong he was my friend but not anymore. He hasn't been my friend for a long time. If he comes near my family or friends you have my permission to take him out. That is if I don't get to him first." I closed my eyes and shook my head. Bella turned in my arms and placed a hand on my cheek "Edward, don't give me that look. Regardless of what all of you may think I created this problem. I let Jacob take advantage of me and manipulate me. Edward, I took his side against you every time, even when he was wrong. I treated him like a little brother but he thought it was more, I could see that, but I never stopped him. Well it stops now!"

I hugged Bella and looked at the rest of my family. "So does anyone here have a problem with that?"